Leave no resource unused

The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) released a new report on phosphogypsum (PG) in May, ahead of its Annual Conference in Monaco.

This landmark publication, as its title From Waste to Inventory suggests, highlights how a shift to reuse is helping make PG a cornerstone of the circular economy.

The report, also known as PG3, is the third instalment in a series published by IFA on PG management and use.

Being global in scope, with contributions from 28 leading companies and organisations across 18 countries, the report offers a consensus view on PG’s potential as a valuable resource. Together, the report’s contributors represent over 85% of global PG output, amounting to an estimated 245 million tonnes annually.

There is a compelling case for reclassifying PG from waste to inventory, in IFA’s view, to the extent that full utilisation should be feasible by 2035. The Association’s latest PG publication, by showcasing innovative applications and business models, demonstrates how PG can be transformed into a valuable resource for industries ranging from agriculture to construction materials, packaging and pharmaceuticals.

“This report is a call to action for industries worldwide to rethink their approach to phosphogypsum,” explains Julian Hilton, Aleff Group chairman and the report’s editor. “By reclassifying PG as inventory rather than waste, we unlock enormous opportunities for economic growth and environmental stewardship. It is about turning a liability into a global secondary raw material, with a range of potential applications.”

IFA’s new Waste to Inventory report highlights:

• Major changes in how the fertilizer industry views and manages PG – with a move away from its perception as a waste product to recognising its value as a resource within the circular economy.

• How PG is now being safely reused as a valuable product in diverse end markets – ranging from construction to agriculture to road building.

• The plethora of reuse options – with these being driven by the prioritisation of sustainability goals combined with a sea change in how PG is classified and regulated.

• How creating value from PG goes beyond the economic benefits – turning waste management costs into revenue streams – by also delivering significant environmental dividends, such as waste reduction and the conservation of natural resources.

Historically, phosphogypsum – being classed as potentially hazardous or radioactive by some countries such as the United States – has been mandated for storage in managed waste stacks. Fortunately, PG is now being reclassified as a co-product, by-product, or secondary raw material in many jurisdictions – thanks to moves to overturn its classification as waste through scientific review and efforts by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), IFA and others.

The resulting shift in how PG is regulated and classified has paved the way for its safe and beneficial reuse in many countries. China, notably, has a strong national ‘comprehensive utilisation’ policy that promotes and sets ambitious targets for PG reuse.

The economic case for PG reuse is also becoming increasingly compelling, the report suggests. The move away from costly waste disposal to revenue-generating activities instead is a particular dividend.

The development of markets for PG-based products and services can boost revenues for phosphate producers by creating new income streams. Examples of profitable PG businesses are highlighted in countries as diverse as Brazil, Belgium, Canada and Indonesia.