Markets & dynamics

Reliable and unhindered access to components needed for green mobility and grid scale / stationary storage to support renewable energy integration is a growing concern within the EU and across the world. Europe’s dependency on non-OECD importers makes the battery technology market highly vulnerable to global supply chain volatility.

LFP batteries for electrification & green mobility

Yellow phosphorus (P4) and purified wet phosphoric acid (PWPA) with low contaminant concentrations are in high demand to produce cathode and electrolyte materials for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for electric vehicles that require high-purity inputs is becoming a leading technology for electric vehicles (EVs) and stationary energy storage. Thanks to the improving technological capacities (growing energy density and longer cycle life) together with higher safety and lower costs, they are replacing the up to now dominant cobalt-nickel lithium-ion battery chemistries, that are also ridden with a lot of sustainability challenges. It is expected that by 2030, LFP will represent more than 90% of stationary energy storage and more than 50% of EV battery market.

Redox flow batteries for grid scale energy storage & circular economies

Vanadium is needed for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) for large-scale, grid energy storage – a type of rechargeable battery using vanadium ions as charge carriers. Often dubbed the ‘future powerhouses of energy storage’, VRFBs have unlimited energy storage capacity, high efficiency, zero emissions, very long life cycles and relatively low cost of available electricity on a lifecycle basis. They are therefore expected play a vital role in our circular economies.

PV solar panels for renewable energy

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV) cells, capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity. When manufactured, phosphorus is often bonded to layers of silicon, to add additional available electrons and provide a negative charge. The adoption of solar PV systems is considered pivotal in the generation of renewable energy and thus for global drive towards achieving net zero carbon emissions and confronting the challenges of climate change.

Climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic have exposed the vulnerability of global agricultural supply and value chains, while recent geopolitical unrest and conflict have further exacerbated the need for self-reliance and self-sufficiency.

Fertilisers for an increasing global population

The use of phosphate fertilisers in the past 50 years has boosted crop yields and helped feed millions, if not billions, of people. Wet phosphoric acid (WPA) is a key ingredient in phosphate fertilisers. Its market is projected to grow significantly, with the world’s population rising and therefore an increasing demand for fertilisers used in agriculture to help crops grow. Key phosphate fertilisers are diammonium phosphate (DAP) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP).

Animal feed for the healthy growth of livestock

Phosphates are an important nutrient in all types of animal feeds, needed for the healthy growth and development of livestock. The feed phosphates market is experiencing growth due to several factors, such as increasing global demand for protein, expansion of livestock production, improved feed efficiency, emphasis on animal health and nutrition and adoption of sustainable farming practices.

Ilmenite is the primary ore of titanium and is used to manufacture titanium dioxide – Ti0₂, used as a white pigment that’s strong demanded by several different industries. A guaranteed, sustainable supply is needed to support industrial ecosystems within the EU and beyond.

A whitening agent for paints, packaging and paper

Titanium dioxide’s most important use is as a whitening agent. Whitings are used by major consuming industries as pigments in paints and surface coatings, plastics and paper and paperboard. It has a wide range of end uses, such as in house and car paints, laminates, packaging, inks, clothing, sunscreen, toothpaste and make-up.

The supply chain in the aerospace and defence industry is a complex ecosystem with multiple layers of suppliers involved. It relies heavily on specific raw materials – like specialty metals – and any disruption in supply can significantly impact production timelines.

A multitude of defence applications

As an additive to titanium alloys, vanadium is needed for high strength applications in the military, such as in armour plating, axels, tools, piston rods, crankshafts and high temperature resistant coating for high-speed aircraft. Vanadium alloyed steels are also used for naval aircraft carriers, submarines and various other defence vehicles.

Lightening the load in aerospace

In the aerospace sector, vanadium ensures the low density, high strength and ability to maintain strength at high operating temperatures. These are essential for materials used in many applications such aero-engine gas turbines and in airframes. New titanium alloys containing higher amounts of vanadium are being developed. These have even higher strengths and the potential to reduce the weight of aircraft in the future – creating greater fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.

In Europe, the manufacturing of microchips and semiconductor materials relies on complex global supply chains, often exposed to disruption. At the same time the chemicals market is undergoing huge transformation, with a greater need than ever for fully integrated value chains.

Semi-conductors to decarbonise economies

Semi-conductors – often referred to as microchips – are fundamental components of green technologies. They are produced using phosphoric acid of extremely high purity. Self-reliance in chip production is a major challenge for the EU and USA and there is an urgent need to build a production system that can draw from a steady, secure phosphate supply for decades to come.

P4 chemicals in agriculture, food processing & industrial manufacturing

Many important chemicals are produced from phosphate rock derivatives – such as P4, which is an essential component in a range of products used in agriculture, food processing and industrial manufacturing. These include flame retardants, phosphorus-based pharmaceuticals, plastic additives, pesticides, glyphosate, detergents and vitamin A.