Understanding the fertilizer life cycle

Fertilizer mining and manufacturing

The fertilizer life cycle begins with the mining of ore containing phosphorus, potassium or numerous micronutrients. After primary processing and beneficiation, some forms of these nutrients can be ground and applied directly to certain soils. Others require additional processing to increase the nutrient concentration and enhance the quality of fertilizer products. Nitrogen for fertilizers is almost exclusively captured from the atmosphere through ammonia synthesis. Depending on their composition, fertilizer materials may undergo several chemical and physical transformations during processing. There has been a trend towards the production of “high-analysis” products, which have a higher nutrient content, rendering their transport more economical.

Environmental issues concerning the fertilizer industry relate to the whole chain of production, storage, transport and use. In addition to the potential pollution of air, water and soil, there are hazards to be avoided in each section of this chain, as well as questions of occupational health and safety for all who handle these products. While many of these issues are principally a local concern in the proximity of fertilizer plants, several have a regional or even a global significance as for example release of air pollutants and of greenhouse gases (GHGs).

If fertilizer production facilities are to achieve the lowest practicable environmental impact, it is important that high standards of operation and maintenance be achieved. Satisfactory technology now exists for the control of most potential pollutants resulting from fertilizer manufacture , and there has also been considerable progress with environmental management techniques. However, some sites still have significant progress to make. The best sites are generally committed to continual improvement, recognizing that they can always do better.

Fertilizer transport

Because fertilizer raw materials are unevenly distributed around the globe, the life cycle involves the transport of bulky materials over long distances. Where practicable, this is done by sea, waterways or rail, although road transport is also involved, particularly with regard to short and medium distances. Warehousing and logistics are a critical part of the movement of fertilizers across the globe. Increasing the efficiency of fertilizer transport, warehousing and logistics helps reduce related energy consumption and emissions. Appropriate equipment can eliminate some nuisances such as dust from bulk handling.

Distribution and retail

Distribution to points of sale and to farms creates similar impacts as transport over longer distances. A number of economic and social issues are also relevant, particularly in developing countries where difficult access to adequate sources of good quality, affordable crop nutrients may result in lower yields and impact the quality of produce, with direct negative effects on food security , nutrition security and farmer livelihoods. It is imperative to overcome this difficulty through efforts to ensure that all farmers have access to the products and information they need in order to implement good farming practices and to become profitable entrepreneurs.

Many of the issues that would improve farmers’ access are beyond the control of the fertilizer industry. These include building transport infrastructure, harmonizing fertilizer regulations across several countries, establishing modern port facilities and streamlining administrative procedures, among others. IFA is engaged in dialogue with decision makers on these issues to advocate for necessary measures.

Fertilizer use

The inefficient use of fertilizers represents a waste of resources, a large economic loss and can contribute to unwanted environmental impacts . In the developed countries the efficiency of fertilizer use is increasing, and is likely continue to do so, but this is not yet the case in most developing countries. The aim must be to optimize agricultural production per unit of fertilizer applied, while applying the required quantities of fertilizers to satisfy the world’s agricultural requirements.

The nutrients found in fertilizers exist in global cycles . Nutrients reside in various pools, are extracted from these pools so they can be used by living organisms and then return to the pools. In this sense, nutrients are never truly consumed, but they can become more difficult to secure for human purposes. For this reason, recycling is likely to gain in importance in the future. Sustainable use of nutrients requires improved management everywhere in order to minimize unwanted impacts on nutrient cycles while optimizing agricultural production.

IFA advocates for Fertilizers Best Management Practices to improve nutrient use efficiency and mitigate environmental impacts.