A new product from the Serbian Elixir Group is experiencing high demand in Europe and beyond: food-grade phosphoric acid. "In addition to our long-established production of technical grade phosphoric acid, we are now offering this acid in food quality with the process engineering expansion of our plants for example to manufacturers of soft drinks or yeast producers. There is high demand," says Matthias Predojevic, Elixir Vice President of Corporate Development. The group commenced production at its own Industrial and Chemical Park in Prahovo (ICPP) six months ago. The initial response from customers has been excellent, and we are pleased to report a high level of interest from across Europe and internationally. There are only a few other suppliers in Europe, with the majority imported from Asia.

Elixir's food-grade phosphoric acid is certified according to FSSC ISO 22000 and ISO 22000:2018 standards. This premium product also meets the requirements for halal and kosher, as Mr. Predojevic notes.

Phosphoric Acid in Various Quality Levels

In the phosphoric acid market, the Elixir Group has established itself as a reliable supplier in Europe. In addition to the new food-grade product, a total of 400,000 tons per year are currently produced in Prahovo in the various quality grades. The certification of its management system according to the globally accepted and applied standards DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, DIN EN ISO 14001:2015, and DIN EN ISO 45001:2018 in the area of occupational health and safety position the Serbian company a valued partner for industrial and trading companies. "Our customers trust our controlled quality and are pleased that we are making phosphoric acid more widely available in Europe," emphasizes Matthias Predojevic. He adds that it is important to think more European and more sustainably, which includes short distances.

The Serbian Prahovo has been a chemical site since the 1960s. In 2012, Elixir acquired the company and initiated a program of infrastructure and production facility investment, coupled with continuous modernization of the industrial complex – with great and enduring results.

The Elixir Group currently generates an annual turnover of €550 million with approximately 2,000 employees. In addition to phosphoric acid variants for food, technical and agro applications, the Serbian company's product range includes mineral fertilizers and aluminum trifluoride. Elixir offers companies long-term settlement opportunities with state-of-the-art infrastructure and diverse business models, as well as the option of manufacturing products in-house. Prahovo's geographical location is ideal, offering a range of advantages including its own harbor, rail connection, connection to a hydroelectric power plant in the immediate vicinity, and a wide range of services on site. Elixir takes care of energy and media supply, security, logistics, wastewater treatment and waste disposal for its partners and customers in a cost-saving manner, offering a diverse range of customized services.

  
Matthias Predojevic, Vice President Corporate Development, General Manager Elixir GD & Industrial ChemPark Prahovo

„In addition to the established production of technical phosphoric acid, we now offer this acid in food quality - demand is high.“

Modern Hazardous and Non-hazardous Waste Incinerator

A modern and by highest available environment and safety standards hazardous and non-hazardous waste incinerator will commence operations on the site by the end of 2025. This will be the only facility of its kind in the Balkans with a capacity up to 100,000 tons of industrial waste per year, solid, liquid or sludges, for energy recovery. "Our goal is to become a leader in the region in the field of modern waste management. In line with the principles of a circular economy, industrial waste generated in Serbia can be recycled or used for energy purpose domestically in the future. At the same time, we will utilize the steam generated exclusively in our production facilities. Overall, we are making a significant contribution to resource-saving, decarbonizing, and energy-efficient production," says Predojevic.

Additionally, the company is currently developing its own solar and wind power plant with a battery storage system. With a capacity of 30 megawatts, the ICPP aims to generate all the electricity it needs itself in the future.

Matthias Predojevic stated, "This is an important milestone for us. Of course, it also helps us to ensure that we can guarantee completely sustainable chemical production with a fully autonomous energy supply by 2030."

Sustainability is integrated into all processes and is a key consideration in investment decisions. Following the launch of food-grade phosphoric acid production, construction of a further plant for the production of phosphoric acid is now underway.

"Elixir is pursuing a sustainable growth strategy, as evidenced by the numerous investments in production facilities and the innovations that we have already implemented in recent years or are currently working on. At the same time, we are also experiencing growth through further inquiries from companies in the industry. Our efforts are attracting attention, which frequently gives rise to new, exciting ideas for specific collaborations."

Water-soluble Fertilizer tMAP for the K+S Group

The latest example: The cooperation with the internationally operating K+S Group for the production of crystalline monoammonium phosphate (tMAP). The contracts were signed in November of last year. In the spring of this year, the construction of a tMAP plant commenced. The fully water-soluble phosphate salt is one of the world's most important fertilizers in the fertigation sector. "Everything is going as planned – we are right on schedule," says Predojevic. "The factory building, production, and warehouse will be completed by the end of 2025. Production is scheduled to start at the beginning of 2026, with immediate delivery."

Guido Schernewski, K+S's Vice President of Marketing, is also completely satisfied with the current construction progress. He said, "We are pleased to have found a professional European company as a partner in Elixir. Like K+S with its C:LIGHT product line, Elixir also focuses on sustainability. Currently, everything is on schedule and in a good partnership we are eagerly awaiting the start of production. This is planned for early 2026."

Elixir and K+S have a joint goal of producing 50,000 tons of tMAP annually. K+S will primarily distribute the fertilizer in Europe, but will also serve global markets if requested, according to Schernewski. K+S - a global producer of potash and magnesium specialties - is thus expanding its product portfolio to include the plant nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus.

Efficient Logistics

Overall, the Elixir Group's efficient logistics in Prahovo are of crucial importance, as they ensure the timely delivery of raw materials to the plant and end products to customers. According to Predojevic, annual volume flows of 5 million tons are already being transported from and to over 80 countries around the world. "Our customers can rely on their goods to reach their destination as quickly as possible and always on time. We develop an individual logistics concept for all our customers, whether by ship, rail, or truck. We are continuing to expand and invest in this area to be ready for additional future requirements and new markets."

The industrial and chemical park currently has 700 meters of operational quay and seven berths for river boats. The facility is a hub of activity on a daily basis. Prahovo is situated to the east of the Danube, which connects it directly with the Black Sea and Constanta, the most important port in the region, which has a transshipment capacity of 100 million tons per year. To the north, the Danube provides access to countries in the Danube basin, including Germany. The ICPP also has its own rail network with several terminals in the port area and is connected to the Serbian railway system and thus to the international rail network. This is a highly popular option with our customers, according to the Vice President. After 150 km, the European Transport Corridor 10 is also reached, which connects Serbia with other European countries for logistics by truck.

Highest Standards of Corporate Governance

Another area of interest to potential partners is the Elixir team's consistent attention to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters. It is essential to achieve a balance between economic value creation and responsible corporate governance in order to ensure long-term, sustainable business activities. Predojevic states that important information on this is regularly provided to customers and partners, and that appropriate services are offered. In addition, Elixir reports annually on sustainability in accordance with the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and undergoes independent verification by the auditing firm KPMG.

"It is of the utmost importance to us to not only meet current international standards, but also to prioritize the well-being of our employees in our day-to-day operations. This includes not only a safe, healthy, and pleasant working environment, but also, for example, the opportunity to pursue individual career paths," says Matthias Predojevic. The Elixir Group also supports community initiatives and invests in local educational, cultural, and environmental projects. "We are firmly integrated in Prahovo and the surrounding area as the largest employer. We consider ourselves an important part of the region and intend to continue to grow together in the future."