China Wuhuan Engineering Co, based in Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone (Optics Valley of China, or OVC), has announced the completion of preparations for its groundbreaking phosphogypsum-to-acid technology, which is expected to address the longstanding issue of phosphogypsum accumulation in Hubei, alleviating the ecological pressure on the Yangtze River.

Phosphogypsum, a byproduct of the wet-process phosphoric acid production, contains soluble phosphates and fluorides that can contaminate soil and water systems. It has been a persistent challenge for the Yangtze River's ecological protection. China currently has approximately 820 million metric tons of phosphogypsum stockpiled, with around 30 million tons in Hubei alone.

Xie Guangbo, deputy director of project management at Wuhuan Engineering, explained that converting phosphogypsum into acid is a key method for its large-scale disposal.

As a leading enterprise in phosphorus chemical technology, Wuhuan Engineering has independently developed a "hemihydrate-dihydrate" phosphoric acid process and harmless treatment technology which have been widely adopted across the industry, treating over 20.75 million tons of phosphogypsum annually.

Wuhan Engineering has established a dedicated team to conduct market research and evaluate technical solutions, devising a strategy tailored to Hubei's needs. Once implemented, the project will not only dispose of phosphogypsum and reduce the ecological strain on the Yangtze River but also create a closed-loop industrial chain, enhancing supply chain resilience.