The virtuous cycle of the fertilizer industry

Phosphogypsum is a specialty obtained within the fertilizer manufacturing process from the processing of phosphate rock. For a long time, the product was considered just a waste, but today we know of its countless application possibilities, notably in agriculture and industry.

During the annual meeting of the IFA (International Fertilizer Association), Mosaic Fertilizers, in its position as the largest producer of agricultural gypsum in Brazil, presented its strategy to explore the potential of phosphogypsum. In agriculture, it can be used for numerous purposes, such as a source of calcium and soil conditioner – in the latter case proving to be quite beneficial in the fields of the Brazilian Cerrado.

Among the benefits generated for farming, agricultural gypsum favors the deepening of roots by supplying the soil with calcium and reduces aluminum toxicity in the deeper layers. In this way, the increase in the volume of soil explored by the roots results in a greater quantity of water available for the plants, reducing the losses caused by the increasingly intense and frequent summers in our country.

Studies indicate that phosphogypsum contributes to an increase in productivity of 7% in sugar cane, 6% in corn, 5% in soybeans and 50% in pastures. Furthermore, it improves the availability of water in the soil by more than 50% and contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions, as it allows for greater carbon sequestration in the land.

We can say, therefore, that the use of phosphogypsum has a direct connection with the supply of inputs to increase the climate resilience of plants, thus promoting the adaptation of agriculture to climate change and contributing to Sustainable Development Goal number 2 – Zero Hunger – of UN 2030 Agenda.

When we think about Brazil, the nutrient helps the country advance in climate commitments, including the implementation of sustainable agricultural systems, the ABC Plan for Low Carbon Agriculture, of the Ministry of Agriculture, whose goal is to increase by 60 million hectares area covered by these practices: recovery of degraded pastures; integrated systems; agroforestry systems; direct planting system; planted forests; restoration of native vegetation.

In addition to the gains for rural producers, Brazilian agriculture and sustainability, we also cannot forget that, by treating phosphogypsum as a specialty and a business within Mosaic Fertilizandos, we generate new job opportunities in Uberaba (MG) and Cajati (SP ), employing more than 300 people directly and indirectly.

And by selling practically all the plaster produced, we make our production even more sustainable in relation to the destination of this product. By changing the way we look at our production processes and the use of raw materials, we encourage all employees to develop actions to make our mission of helping the world grow the food it needs a reality.

Christian Pereira, Marketing Director at Mosaic Fertilizers