Microvi and Cranfield University Advance Bio-Mineral Phosphorus Removal (BMPR) Technology Following Ofwat Award and Global Recognition
Ofwat Discovery Challenge-winning coagulant-free biological phosphorus removal technology achieves 97% removal and recovery, now demonstrating at Severn Trent’s Minworth facility — one of the UK’s largest wastewater treatment plants — following recognition from The Earthshot Prize
HAYWARD, CA (November 11, 2025) – Microvi Biotech Inc. today announced continued momentum for Bio-Mineral Phosphorus Removal (BMPR), a coagulant-free biological phosphorus removal and recovery technology advanced in partnership with Cranfield University and Severn Trent. Following recognition by The Earthshot Prize for global climate leadership and innovation, BMPR is now advancing to full-scale demonstration at Severn Trent’s Minworth Wastewater Treatment Plant — one of the largest municipal wastewater facilities in the United Kingdom — where the technology is treating centrate and demonstrating real-world performance at utility scale.
BMPR was selected as a winner of Ofwat’s Water Discovery Challenge in 2024, receiving nearly £500,000 in funding to accelerate development and commercialization. The technology offers a sustainable alternative to metal-based chemical coagulants — the conventional approach used across the water industry for phosphorus removal. By eliminating the need for coagulants, BMPR reduces sludge generation, lowers chemical supply chain risks, and enables direct recovery of phosphorus as bio-struvite, a reusable mineral fertilizer. The approach addresses both the environmental challenge of phosphorus pollution and the growing global supply constraints on mined phosphate rock, an essential but finite resource.
The BMPR process leverages Microvi’s MicroNiche Engineering™ (MNE) biocatalysts to create optimized microenvironments that stabilize specialized microbial pathways and enable high-efficiency phosphorus removal and recovery without chemical coagulants. In trials conducted at Cranfield University, BMPR achieved over 97% phosphorus removal from wastewater across a wide range of initial concentrations (4–80 mg/L) — matching the performance of traditional coagulant-based systems while producing substantially less sludge and enabling direct nutrient recovery. The technology has demonstrated effectiveness in mainstream wastewater, sidestream centrate, and even urine — including European Space Agency-funded applications for life support systems in Moon and Mars missions.
“Our approach not only addresses the pressing issue of phosphorus pollution in wastewater but also offers a sustainable solution by exploiting the beneficial potential of bacteria without relying on traditional coagulants and enables recovery of a finite resource that is phosphorus. This technology will enable us to accelerate advanced solutions for nutrient removal, ultimately benefiting both the water industry and the environment.”
— Fatemeh Shirazi, CEO/CTO, Microvi Biotech Inc.
The demonstration at Minworth represents a critical milestone in validating BMPR at the scale and operational complexity of a major municipal utility. The project will generate the performance data and operational learning required to support widespread commercial deployment across the UK water sector, where over £4.5 billion is planned for phosphorus removal infrastructure between 2025 and 2030. BMPR’s modular, scalable design makes it adaptable across diverse applications — from small rural treatment works to large urban plants and decentralized systems in developing regions.
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About Cranfield University
Cranfield University is a specialist postgraduate university focused on science, technology, engineering, and management. Its research and consultancy work for industry, government, and business creates a real-world learning environment that allows students to develop as professionals and transfer their knowledge to the global economy. Cranfield is the largest UK provider of master’s-level graduates in engineering and offers a flagship MBA, extensive executive education, and professional development programs. Learn more at www.cranfield.ac.uk.
About Severn Trent
Severn Trent is one of Britain’s largest water companies, serving over eight million people across the Midlands, from the outskirts of Sheffield to Bristol and into north and mid-Wales. The company provides approximately two billion liters of fresh, clean drinking water every day and treats wastewater before safely returning it to the environment. Learn more at www.severntrent.com.
About The Earthshot Prize
The Earthshot Prize finds, supports, and celebrates those who turn bold ideas into solutions for our planet. The initiative searches the globe for game-changing examples of climate leadership and innovation, awarding the five best solutions each year with £1 million each to scale their work and help regenerate the environment. Learn more at www.earthshotprize.org.
About Microvi Biotech Inc.
Microvi Biotech Inc. is an applied biotechnology company based in the San Francisco Bay Area that develops and commercializes next-generation biosolutions for critical challenges in water, wastewater, climate, and environmental sustainability. Powered by its proprietary MicroNiche Engineering™ (MNE) platform, Microvi delivers proven, high-performance biosolutions worldwide—reducing greenhouse gas emissions and waste while increasing productivity and cost-efficiency for its customers. Microvi’s scalable biosolutions are deployed globally across diverse sectors, delivering disruptive economic value for industry partners and contributing to a cleaner environment and healthier communities. Learn more at www.microvi.com.
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