The entrance into the Nanophos market by phosphate miner and producer Kropz promises to herald a new era for South Africa’s agricultural community.
The company believes that Nanophos has the prospect to be a significant contributor to the phosphate market in South Africa and provide a much-needed solution to the needs of South African farming communities.
Nanophos is a natural sedimentary soft rock phosphate, rich in phosphate minerals, calcium and silica, used as an on-demand organic fertiliser to improve soil phosphate levels and promote long-term plant productivity. Unlike synthetic fertilisers, which can cause water pollution and soil degradation, soft rock phosphate is a natural product that supports sustainable farming practices. Its on-demand properties minimise the risk of nutrient leaching into water bodies, helping to protect precious natural resources.
Kropz announced this shift in focus earlier this month. It plans to increase Nanophos production capacity at its Elandsfontein site in the Western Cape to 180 000 tons per year.
Nanophos is unique in South Africa with its phosphate, calcium and silica content in nanoparticle fractions. It is expected to sell at a price 50% lower than mono ammonium phosphate (MAP).
Says Kropz CEO Louis Loubser: “It is a South African product that is natural and organic with multiple benefits for the farmers, for crops and ultimately for the consumer. It will have better pricing than the substitute. It has no known negative impacts on human health or on the natural environment.
And its mining and production will bring employment that would otherwise not exist.”
Loubser adds, “From the start the question we have been asking is: what is best for the South African farmer? Our conclusion has become our mission. Soil health is critical for long-term success. Nanophos, with its on-demand phosphate, combined with its free calcium and silica, stimulates healthy plant growth, improved root development and overall stronger and more resilient crops.
“Our intent was to prove a substitute source of phosphate that could compete with MAP. The initial literature studies did not agree. However, after extensive test work and trials we have concluded and proven otherwise. We are extremely excited by what we have seen in the field. The combination of phosphate, calcium and silica has shown truly remarkable results.”
Kropz welcomes inquiries from prospective users seeking more information.
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