Phosphate fertilizers
Phosphoric Acid 75–85% — Wet-Process Grade for Fertilizer Plants
FOB Black Sea / MENA · CFR/CIF worldwide on request
Key parameters
Full specification
| H3PO4 (phosphoric acid) | 75–85% |
| P2O5 (as H3PO4) | 54.0% min |
| Chlorides (Cl) | 0.01% max |
| Sulphates (SO4) | 0.2% max |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.5% max |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
| Density (at stated conc.) | 1.65–1.71 g/cm³ |
| Process type | Wet-process (dihydrate or hemihydrate) |
| HS code | 2809.20 |
Full product details
Product overview
Wet-process phosphoric acid is the central intermediate in the global phosphate fertilizer chain. Produced by sulfuric acid attack on phosphate rock, merchant-grade acid at 75–85% H3PO4 feeds DAP, MAP and TSP granulation trains, purified food-phosphate extraction units and industrial metal-treatment formulations. Our export grade carries P2O5 minimum 54% with chlorides capped at 0.01% — low enough for ammoniation circuits where chloride contamination accelerates corrosion in scrubbers and reactor vessels.
Colourless liquid appearance confirms low iron and organic impurity levels typical of integrated acid plants operating on low-Cd Moroccan and Egyptian rock. Origins include North African and Middle Eastern production hubs with established acid jetty and ISO tank loading infrastructure. Typical buyers are integrated fertilizer complexes securing merchant acid cover when own acid plants run at reduced rates, independent blenders building seasonal inventory, and industrial consumers requiring consistent P2O5 content for downstream phosphate salt production.
Wet-process acid differs from thermal (elemental phosphorus) grade in cost and impurity profile: higher sulphate and iron content is acceptable for fertilizer use but unsuitable for electronic-grade phosphates without further purification. HS code 2809.20.
Loading ports & logistics
Merchant phosphoric acid requires acid-compatible handling at every stage — standard bulk carriers and unlined steel tanks cannot receive this cargo. We coordinate three principal delivery modes depending on parcel size and receiver infrastructure.
Rubber-lined ISO tank containers hold approximately 20–24 MT per unit and suit multi-modal routes to inland fertilizer plants with dedicated acid unloading bays. Ideal for parcels of 100–500 MT assembled from multiple tank units on FOB Black Sea or MENA origins.
Dedicated acid tank trucks and coastal chemical tankers move parcels of 500–3,000 MT on short-sea routes between North African acid plants and Mediterranean or Red Sea discharge terminals. Rubber-lined or 316L stainless cargo tanks are mandatory; heating coils may be required when ambient temperature drops below 15 °C to maintain pumpability of 80%+ acid.
Stainless-lined parcel tankers handle larger industrial contracts above 3,000 MT on long-haul routes to dedicated acid jetties in India, Turkey and West Africa. FOB loading at exporter-nominated acid berth; CFR and CIF quotes include tank freight, marine insurance and discharge-port compatibility check before firm offer. Typical lead time 12–25 days from contract execution to loading window.
Packaging & documentation
Cargo ships as liquid H3PO4 in rubber-lined ISO tank containers, dedicated acid road tankers or stainless-lined chemical tankers — no drummed form exists for bulk merchant grade. Each lot is accompanied by a mill certificate of analysis showing H3PO4, P2O5, chloride and sulphate results, safety data sheet (SDS) per GHS, commercial invoice, tank list, bill of lading and certificate of origin. Concentration is confirmed by density measurement converted to H3PO4 percentage via calibrated hydrometer, with titration against NaOH standard on the COA.
Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas or equivalent) at loading can be arranged on buyer request. Tank cleanliness and previous-cargo certificate are mandatory before ISO reload; we issue cleaning confirmation with the shipping instructions package.
FAQ
What H3PO4 concentration do DAP and MAP plants require from merchant acid?
Most ammoniation lines accept wet-process acid at 75–85% H3PO4 and dilute in-plant to 28–32% P2O5 before reaction with ammonia. Chloride below 0.01% prevents accelerated corrosion in granulation scrubbers and ammoniator vessels during continuous operation.
How is bulk phosphoric acid shipped on international routes?
Merchant-grade acid moves in rubber-lined ISO tank containers (20–24 MT per unit), dedicated acid tank trucks for short-sea legs, or stainless-lined coastal chemical tankers for parcels above 1,000 MT. Heating may be required below 15 °C to maintain pumpability of concentrated acid.
Related products
- Phosphate Rock — upstream feedstock for wet-process acid plants
- Sulfuric Acid — reagent in phosphoric acid production
- DAP 18-46-0 — downstream phosphate fertilizer from merchant acid