HCRDI Signs EPC Contract for 1.5 Mt/y Phosphogypsum Valorization Demonstration Project

Hefei Cement Research & Design Institute Co., Ltd. (HCRDI) and Yunnan Xiangfeng Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. (Xiangfeng Environmental) signed an EPC contract on 1 September for a demonstration project designed to process 1.5 million tonnes of phosphogypsum annually into composite cementitious materials.

The project represents a major step towards the large-scale, value-added utilization of phosphogypsum, an industrial by-product generated during phosphoric acid production. By converting the material into useful cementitious products, the facility will support the reduction of industrial waste stockpiles, improve resource efficiency and create new value from secondary raw materials.

Under the contract, HCRDI will draw on its integrated capabilities in process development, engineering design, equipment integration, project delivery and commissioning. The project will incorporate upgraded technologies, including oxygen-enriched combustion and the conversion of gypsum dihydrate to hemihydrate, building on experience gained from industrial by-product gypsum utilization facilities already in operation.

HCRDI will also apply the lessons learned from the construction, commissioning and operation of previous projects to optimize the overall process configuration and strengthen quality, schedule and cost control. A dedicated project management team will be assigned to coordinate engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning, with the objective of developing the facility into a benchmark for industrial-scale phosphogypsum utilization.

The signing ceremony was attended by Yang Lirong, Chairman of Xiangfeng Group, and Zhou Qiaolin, Deputy General Manager of HCRDI, who signed the contract on behalf of the two companies. During the meeting, the project teams also discussed implementation planning, further process optimization and opportunities for longer-term cooperation.

The project is a key government-supported initiative and is expected to demonstrate a commercially viable pathway for the large-scale treatment and utilization of phosphogypsum. Successful delivery will provide an important reference for industries seeking to reduce the environmental impact of industrial by-products while developing alternative raw materials for low-carbon building products.

HCRDI has been active in industrial solid-waste utilization for many years. Its technical teams have conducted more than 1,000 material characterization analyses, hundreds of laboratory-scale trials and dozens of pilot-scale tests. This extensive research and validation work has enabled the company to develop proven process solutions for converting industrial solid waste into sulfuric acid and other value-added products.

The new contract marks a further commercial application of HCRDI’s integrated technologies for the utilization of industrial by-product gypsum. It also strengthens the company’s presence in environmental engineering and expands its cooperation with major industrial customers in green manufacturing and circular resource utilization.

Going forward, HCRDI will continue to combine technological innovation with engineering delivery, advancing new solutions for the safe treatment, resource recovery and value-added utilization of industrial solid waste. Through continuous process improvement, stronger project management and enhanced lifecycle services, the company aims to help customers reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and accelerate the transition towards greener industrial production.