The Possibility of Using Waste Phosphates from the Production of Polyols for Fertilizing Purposes

Abstract

The limited resources of phosphorus raw materials, which are located outside of Europe, make it necessary to obtain phosphorus from the waste stream. This is reflected in the new EU Regulation 2019/1009, which concerns making fertilizing products available on the market. Its main goal is to harmonize the standards for fertilizers obtained from organic or secondary raw materials in the EU and to create new opportunities for their production and sale. The fertilizer sector uses almost 90% of the phosphorus raw material, for which there is no substitute, and the demand for fertilizers is constantly growing, stimulated by the growing number of people. A substitute for expensive imported raw materials can be waste sodium–potassium phosphate from the production of polyols. This study analyzes the composition and form of waste from PCC Rokita S. A. from Brzeg Dolny in Poland, in terms of the possibility of using it in the production of fertilizers according to the new EU regulations. Research shows that it contains nearly 19% phosphorus, as well as potassium and sodium. Low-level impurities and low organic matter content classify it as a raw material for the production of inorganic fertilizers. Due to the high water content, the most advantageous form of its use is the production of fertilizers in the form of a suspension. A certain difficulty in the production of this type of fertilizer may be the layers of crystals of different sizes precipitating in the waste.