Guizhou Phosphate Chemical Group expands phosphogypsum industrial chain

Guizhou Phosphate Chemical Group is spearheading industry innovation by efficiently utilizing phosphorus associated resources.

At the group's production base in Xifeng county, Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, 25,000 metric tons of anhydrous gypsum masterbatch and eco-friendly packaging boxes are produced annually. These products boast superior performance, attracting numerous business partners.

Guizhou Phosphate Chemical Group's production site for anhydrous gypsum masterbatch and eco-friendly packaging boxes. [Photo by Guan Yun/Tianyan news]

With an investment of 3 billion yuan ($421.80 million), the group has established three major industrial pathways: converting phosphogypsum into new building materials, developing high-temperature anhydrous gypsum polymer fillers, and recycling phosphogypsum into sulfuric acid.

These efforts have promoted the reduction, harmless treatment, and resource utilization of phosphogypsum, positioning the group as an industry leader.

Anhydrous gypsum, as the primary material used in the production of packaging boxes, mine backfill, and high-precision blocks, demonstrates excellent performance. The group's high-temperature anhydrous gypsum project, with an annual output of 300,000 tons, is gradually integrating with downstream industries to form a new billion-yuan industrial chain.

On March 27, the group successfully completed a trial run of its world-leading phosphogypsum decomposition facility, which co-produces sulfuric acid and cement. This facility, the largest of its kind globally, consumes 1.4 million tons of phosphogypsum annually, producing 600,000 tons of sulfuric acid and 800,000 tons of cement.

An aerial view of Guizhou Phosphate Chemical Group's phosphogypsum decomposition to sulfuric acid and cement co-production facility. [Photo by Pan Deyu/Tianyan news]

The group is also actively promoting the standardization and certification of phosphogypsum products and enhancing their market recognition.

Guizhou, meanwhile, is employing chemical industrial parks and industrial clusters to promote the high-value utilization of phosphogypsum resources. This approach fosters a collaborative industry model that integrates large, medium, and small enterprises across the supply chain, further expanding the phosphogypsum industrial chain.