Phosphate

Phosphate rocks are the commercial source of P used as the raw material for manufacturing P fertilizers and certain other chemicals. Unlike other vital commodities, such as Fe, copper (Cu) and sulphur (S), there is little opportunity for substitution or recycling. The fertilizer industry consumes about 90 percent of world phosphate rocks production. Normally, the required particle size of phosphate powder is less than 100 mesh(150 micron) D90.

Sulphuric acid and phosphate rock are the raw materials used in the production of single superphosphate (SSP) and phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid is an important intermediate by-product that is used to make triple superphosphate (TSP) and ammonium phosphate. Highly concentrated, compound NPK formulations now form the mainstay of the world fertilizer industry.

Phosphate rock is also used for industrial purposes and for the production of animal feed supplements and food products. Another important use is in the manufacture of elemental P and its derivatives, in particular sodium tri-polyphosphate, a major component of heavy-duty laundry detergents