Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
The global phosphate fertilizer industry produces in excess of 230 million tonnes of phosphogypsum (PG) each year, a quantity anticipated to increase in response to the escalating demand for food production. Historically regarded as a waste, PG has now accumulated in stockpiles surpassing 6 billion tonnes, thereby presenting significant environmental and economic challenges.
The newly released 2025 International Fertilizer Association (IFA) report titled “Phosphogypsum: From Waste to Inventory ” presents compelling evidence that phosphogypsum (PG) can be reclassified as a secondary raw material, exhibiting a multitude of potential applications. These analyses were undertaken with the support of the United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS), which provides a structured framework for sustainable resource classification and reuse. As of 2024, global reuse rates of PG are approximately 35%, with countries such as Brazil and China showcasing the viability of large-scale, market-driven valorization. Presently, PG is utilised in road construction, building materials, soil conditioning, and environmental restoration initiatives. With appropriate pre-treatment and well-defined regulatory frameworks, even critical raw materials, such as rare earth elements (REE), can be effectively recovered from PG in significant quantities.
UNRMS: A Governance Framework for Circular Resource Use
The United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS) provides a progressive governance framework aimed at supporting the sustainable utilisation of natural resources, including industrial co-products such as PG. UNRMS integrates principles of transparency, circularity, value creation, and equity at every phase of the resource lifecycle, encompassing production through to post-use recovery.
Within the framework of PG studies, UNRMS advocates for a shift from waste disposal towards the valorization of resources. It encourages nations to implement differentiated regulatory approaches that are congruent with environmental risks and socio-economic advantages. By incorporating PG management into comprehensive national strategies—particularly those that focus on climate resilience, food security, and green infrastructure—UNRMS offers governments and industry a pragmatic model to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement.
100% Utilization: A Feasible and Forward-Looking Objective
The 2025 report delineates an expanding array of PG applications, many of which are commercially viable. These encompass:
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Bio-innovation and land restoration techniques include microbial soil enhancement, biocrust stabilization, and mangrove substrate engineering.
By implementing the UNRMS framework, countries can facilitate the establishment of policies, investments, and innovations that render the goal of 100% PG utilization both attainable and imminent. This approach constitutes not only a solution for waste management but also a conduit for climate-smart, resource-efficient, and inclusive development.
Source: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2025/mcs2025-phosphate.pdf