The challenge of reducing toxic cadmium levels in fertilizers destined for Europe has emerged as a significant concern for Morocco, a leading global producer of phosphate. This heavy metal has now become a public health issue, prompting the nation to take action. The OCP Group, which monopolizes the extraction and production of phosphate in Morocco, has announced the development of a new technology aimed at decreasing cadmium levels in its fertilizer products.
Natural phosphate often contains cadmium, which can transfer into fertilizers, subsequently affecting farm soils and food supplies. Higher concentrations of cadmium are found in phosphate deposits that have accumulated over millions of years in Morocco, the United States, and Tunisia, unlike those in South Africa or Russia, according to the French health agency.
Health Risks and Legislative Actions
Cadmium exposure poses serious health risks, including kidney damage and increased cancer risk, issues that remained relatively unknown to the public until recent discussions gained momentum in Europe. In June, the French Parliament adopted a legislative proposal aimed at reducing consumer exposure to this harmful metal.
Beginning in 2025, the fertilizers exported by OCP to Europe will contain less than 20 milligrams of cadmium per kilogram, which is three times lower than the European Union's maximum allowable limit of 60 milligrams per kilogram. The EU is currently the third-largest importer of OCP's products, accounting for 17% of its exports, following the Americas and Asia, which represent 31% and 41%, respectively.
However, a European official clarified to the French news agency that the EU does not impose automatic monitoring of cadmium levels in phosphate fertilizers imported by member countries, making it challenging to verify producers' claims. Nonetheless, a significant Moroccan producer has reportedly invested in technologies to ensure cadmium levels remain below 20 milligrams per kilogram in the fertilizers exported to Europe.
To achieve this goal, OCP has developed a technique that involves adding specific materials during the processing of phosphoric acid, thus sorting and isolating cadmium from the acid before it is used as a disinfectant. Notably, while OCP's subsidiary, NuTrikrobs, does not disclose the cadmium levels in fertilizers exported to markets outside the EU, its CEO, Faris Al-Darij, mentioned that significant investments have been made to adapt to varying regulatory approaches across different markets.
Environmental Challenges and Geopolitical Impacts
The phosphate industry in Morocco faces additional environmental challenges, such as managing the disposal of phosphogypsum, a highly polluting waste product containing heavy metals and acidic materials generated during fertilizer production. To address this issue, OCP plans to establish a storage facility by 2027 to reduce the volume of waste dumped into the sea.
Excessive use of phosphate fertilizers can lead to negative environmental impacts, including water pollution and emissions of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas. Furthermore, the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pose additional challenges for OCP, particularly concerning its procurement of essential raw materials for fertilizer production, which are increasingly in demand worldwide.
Since the onset of the conflict in late February, the supply of fertilizers has diminished while prices have surged in global markets, with the Middle East supplying roughly 30% of the world's fertilizer needs. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for sulfur and ammonia—two indispensable fertilizers—has been affected by closures imposed by Iran. Consequently, several factories in the Gulf region, particularly in Qatar, a significant producer of ammonia and urea, have either scaled back operations or halted them entirely, a trend mirrored in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Jordan.
Faris Al-Darij acknowledged that this crisis has affected timelines, costs, and supply flows, but he refrained from providing specific numerical data. He emphasized that OCP has successfully maintained operational continuity, thanks to its stockpiles and Morocco's advantageous geographical location.
With approximately 70% of the world's phosphate reserves located in Morocco, including disputed mines in Western Sahara, the country stands as the second-largest producer after China, with an estimated reserve of about 50 billion tons out of the global total of around 70 billion tons. Among its production sites is the Sidi Chennane mine near the city of Khouribga, where a massive machine removes the soil layers covering the phosphate rocks, which are then washed after extraction.
As reported by france24.com.