Atomic properties
Market data
Raw material sources & pricing
| Raw Material Form | Grade/Quality | Price Paid by Processors | Major Sources | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedimentary Phosphate Rock | 28-36% P₂O₅ | $75-99/MT | Morocco, USA, Jordan | Most common type, easier to process |
| Igneous Phosphate Rock | 35-40% P₂O₅ | $85-110/MT | Russia, South Africa, Brazil | Higher grade, harder to process |
| Beneficiated Rock | 30-33% P₂O₅ | $80-95/MT | China, Vietnam | Upgraded low-grade ore |
| High-Grade Rock | >33% P₂O₅ | $95-120/MT | Morocco, Russia | Premium quality for phosphoric acid |
Phosphate Rock - Primary Raw Material
Current Market Price: $75-99/MT FOB (varies by location and quality) Major Global Reserves: Morocco & Western Sahara: 50 billion MT (70% of world reserves) China: 3.2 billion MT - World's largest producer Egypt: 2.8 billion MT Algeria: 2.2 billion MT Syria: 1.8 billion MT 2025 Production Leaders: China: 90 million MT (47% of global production) Morocco: 35 million MT United States: 22 million MT Russia: 13 million MT Raw Material Form Grade/Quality Price Paid by Processors Major Sources Notes Sedimentary Phosphate Rock 28-36% P₂O₅ $75-99/MT Morocco, USA, Jordan Most common type, easier to process Igneous Phosphate Rock 35-40% P₂O₅ $85-110/MT Russia, South Africa, Brazil Higher grade, harder to process Beneficiated Rock 30-33% P₂O₅ $80-95/MT China, Vietnam Upgraded low-grade ore High-Grade R
⚠️ Seawater Phosphorus Extraction
Commercial Viability: NOT ECONOMICALLY VIABLE Concentration: 0.07 ppm (extremely low) Chemical Form: H₂PO₄⁻ (dihydrogen phosphate) and HPO₄²⁻ (hydrogen phosphate) Status: No commercial concentrated seawater phosphorus form exists. The extremely low concentration (0.07 ppm) makes extraction uneconomical compared to phosphate rock mining. Note: Phosphorus recovery from wastewater streams is more promising than seawater extraction.
Production cost analysis
| Cost Component | $/MT Phosphoric Acid | % of Total Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphate Rock (3.0-3.5 MT needed) | $225-350 | 35-45% | Varies by rock quality |
| Sulfuric Acid | $150-250 | 20-30% | 2.5-3.0 MT H₂SO₄ per MT P₂O₅ |
| Energy (Thermal + Electric) | $100-150 | 12-18% | See detailed breakdown below |
| Labor | $50-80 | 6-10% | Varies by country |
| Maintenance & Other | $75-120 | 10-15% | Equipment, water treatment |
| Total Production Cost | $600-950 | 100% | Selling price: $700-1,000/MT |
Energy consumption breakdown
| Process Stage | Energy Consumption | % of Total Energy | Energy Type | Key Operations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal Process (Elemental P) | 14 MWh/MT P | 95% | Electricity | Electric arc furnace at 1,500°C |
| Rock Grinding & Beneficiation | 20-30 kWh/MT rock | 3% | Electricity | Crushing, grinding, flotation |
| Wet Process Acid Production | 100-150 kWh/MT P₂O₅ | 15% | Steam/Electricity | Reaction, filtration, concentration |
| Phosphogypsum Handling | 10-20 kWh/MT P₂O₅ | 2% | Electricity | Pumping, stacking |
Wet Process (Phosphoric Acid) Details
Rock Preparation: 5% - Grinding to 60-200 mesh Digestion Reactor: 40% - H₂SO₄ reaction at 70-80°C Filtration: 25% - Gypsum separation Concentration: 25% - Evaporation to 52-54% P₂O₅ Clarification: 5% - Impurity removal
Thermal Process (White Phosphorus) Details
Electric Arc Furnace: 85% - P₄ vapor production Feed Preparation: 5% - Sintering/nodulizing Condensation System: 5% - P₄ recovery Off-Gas Treatment: 3% - CO recovery/burning Material Handling: 2% - Feed systems
Commercial forms & specifications
| Product Form | Chemical Formula | Molecular Weight | Typical Purity | Price Range (USD/kg) | Main Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Phosphorus | P₄ | 123.90 g/mol | 99.9% | $3.50-5.00 | Chemical intermediates |
| Red Phosphorus | P (polymeric) | 30.97 g/mol | 98-99% | $2.50-4.00 | Matches, flame retardants |
| Phosphoric Acid (85%) | H₃PO₄ | 97.99 g/mol | 85% H₃PO₄ | $0.70-1.00 | Fertilizers, food additives |
| DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) | (NH₄)₂HPO₄ | 132.06 g/mol | 18-46-0 | $0.55-0.75 | Fertilizer |
| MAP (Monoammonium Phosphate) | NH₄H₂PO₄ | 115.03 g/mol | 11-52-0 | $0.60-0.80 | Fertilizer, fire retardant |
| TSP (Triple Superphosphate) | Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ | 234.05 g/mol | 0-46-0 | $0.45-0.65 | Fertilizer |
| Phosphorus Pentoxide | P₂O₅ | 141.94 g/mol | 99%+ | $1.50-2.50 | Desiccant, chemical synthesis |
| Phosphorus Trichloride | PCl₃ | 137.33 g/mol | 99% | $1.20-1.80 | Pesticides, plasticizers |
| Sodium Tripolyphosphate | Na₅P₃O₁₀ | 367.86 g/mol | 94-96% | $0.80-1.20 | Detergents, water treatment |
| Black Phosphorus | P (layered) | 30.97 g/mol | 99% | $500-2000 | Semiconductors, research |
| Calcium Phosphate | Ca₃(PO₄)₂ | 310.18 g/mol | 96-98% | $0.50-1.00 | Animal feed, toothpaste |
| Glyphosate | C₃H₈NO₅P | 169.07 g/mol | 95-98% | $3.00-5.00 | Herbicide |
Suppliers by country
🇲🇦 Morocco
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| OCP Group | Phosphate rock, phosphoric acid, DAP, MAP, TSP, NPK fertilizers | World's largest phosphate exporter, integrated mining to fertilizer |
🇺🇸 United States
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| The Mosaic Company | Phosphate rock, phosphoric acid, DAP, MAP, MicroEssentials | Concentrated phosphate production in Florida, premium fertilizers |
| Nutrien Ltd. | MAP, DAP, phosphoric acid, specialty phosphates | Integrated nutrient solutions, retail distribution network |
🇷🇺 Russia
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| PhosAgro | Apatite concentrate, phosphoric acid, DAP, MAP, NPK, feed phosphates | High-grade apatite from Khibiny deposit, vertically integrated |
| EuroChem | MAP, DAP, NPK fertilizers, phosphoric acid | Integrated production, developing Kovdorsky GOK project |
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Ma'aden | Phosphate rock, DAP, MAP, phosphoric acid | Integrated phosphate complex at Wa'ad Al Shamal |
🇨🇳 China
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Yuntianhua Group | Phosphate rock, phosphoric acid, DAP, MAP, compound fertilizers | Largest phosphate producer in Asia |
| Guizhou Phosphate | Phosphate rock, yellow phosphorus, phosphoric acid | Major thermal phosphorus producer |
| Wengfu Group | DAP, MAP, NPK, phosphoric acid | High-efficiency fertilizers |
🇯🇴 Jordan
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) | Phosphate rock, DAP, phosphoric acid | State-owned integrated producer |
🇮🇱 Israel
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL) | Phosphate rock, phosphoric acid, specialty phosphates, MAP | Food-grade phosphates, specialty agriculture |
🇹🇳 Tunisia
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Compagnie des Phosphates de Gafsa (CPG) | Phosphate rock, phosphoric acid, TSP, DAP | Major North African exporter |
Market demand by product form
| Product Form | Global Market Size | Asia Share | Americas Share | Growth Rate (CAGR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) | $25 billion | 65% share | 15% share | 5.5% |
| MAP (Monoammonium Phosphate) | $18 billion | 55% share | 25% share | 5.2% |
| TSP/SSP (Superphosphates) | $12 billion | 45% share | 20% share | 3.8% |
| NPK Compounds | $35 billion | 50% share | 20% share | 6.1% |
| Phosphoric Acid (Industrial) | $8 billion | 40% share | 30% share | 4.5% |
| Feed Phosphates | $3.5 billion | 45% share | 25% share | 4.8% |
| Food Grade Phosphates | $2.8 billion | 35% share | 35% share | 5.0% |
| Electronic Grade Phosphorus | $1.2 billion | 70% share | 15% share | 12.5% |
Market trends
Supply Concentration Risk: Morocco controls 70% of global reserves, creating geopolitical vulnerabilities Peak Phosphorus Concerns: Estimates suggest economically viable reserves may deplete within 50-100 years at current consumption rates Circular Economy Push: Increasing focus on phosphorus recovery from wastewater (struvite precipitation) and agricultural runoff China Export Restrictions: Export quotas and tariffs on phosphate products to ensure domestic supply Environmental Regulations: Phosphogypsum waste management (5 tons waste per ton of phosphoric acid) driving process improvements Precision Agriculture: Enhanced efficiency fertilizers and controlled-release formulations gaining market share Battery Materials: Growing demand for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries driving specialty phosphate markets Food Security Nexus: Recognition of phosphorus as critical for global food security, no biological substitute exists
Moles per kilogram
| Product Form | Formula | MW (g/mol) | Moles/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Phosphorus | P₄ | 123.90 | 8.07 |
| Elemental Phosphorus | P | 30.97 | 32.29 |
| Phosphoric Acid | H₃PO₄ | 97.99 | 10.21 |
| Diammonium Phosphate | (NH₄)₂HPO₄ | 132.06 | 7.57 |
| Monoammonium Phosphate | NH₄H₂PO₄ | 115.03 | 8.69 |
| Triple Superphosphate | Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ | 234.05 | 4.27 |
| Phosphorus Pentoxide | P₂O₅ | 141.94 | 7.05 |
References
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