Sichuan Province Targets 250 Billion Yuan in Phosphorus Chemical Industry Output by 2030

On July 21, the Sichuan Provincial Department of Economy and Information Technology released the "Action Plan for the Development of Sichuan's Phosphorus Chemical Industry and Comprehensive Utilization of Phosphogypsum," setting an ambitious target of 250 billion yuan ($34.5 billion) in industry output by 2030, with the entire industrial chain projected to exceed 1 trillion yuan.

As one of China's major phosphorus mining regions, Sichuan's phosphorus chemical industry holds a significant position nationally. The plan outlines that by 2030, Sichuan will achieve breakthroughs in over 15 core technologies including efficient phosphorus mining, clean production, and phosphogypsum comprehensive utilization. High-value-added products such as electronic-grade phosphoric acid, phosphorus-based flame retardants, and catalysts will account for over 40% of production. Carbon emissions per unit of output value and comprehensive energy consumption will decrease by 20% and 5% respectively compared to 2025 levels. The harmless treatment rate for new phosphogypsum will reach 100%, with a comprehensive utilization rate exceeding 70%, while the comprehensive utilization rate of fluorine, silicon, and calcium associated with phosphorus ore will surpass 90%.

Sichuan will establish a "one center, two bases, three regions" phosphorus chemical industry layout, with Chengdu serving as the innovation and policy hub, Deyang and Leshan-Liangshan as the "dual cores," and Eastern Sichuan, Southwest Sichuan, and Panxi as the "three poles."

The plan calls for upgrading traditional phosphorus chemical industries by optimizing ammonium phosphate production processes, vigorously developing efficient and green phosphate fertilizers, and promoting new fertilizer types including water-soluble, slow-release, and liquid fertilizers. Yellow phosphorus applications will be expanded into emerging sectors such as new energy and new materials, with focus on developing electronic-grade phosphoric acid and phosphorus-based flame retardants. Key development areas include functional phosphates, compound phosphates, and pyrophosphates, strengthening the "D-glyphosate, glyphosate, glufosinate" industrial chains, and developing sodium-free high-purity glyphosate and refined glufosinate. Extended development will include phosphorus-based functional materials, high-end phosphides, polyphosphoric acid, and phosphorus-based flame retardants.

In support of emerging industries, the plan emphasizes developing critical materials including lithium iron phosphate and lithium hexafluorophosphate, with construction of multiple high-level new energy battery material production bases. Development will accelerate for electronic-grade phosphoric acid, electronic-grade phosphine, and phosphorus-containing electronic materials. High-purity phosphates and phosphorus-containing pharmaceutical intermediates will be developed, focusing on phosphorus-containing intermediates used in antibiotic and vitamin synthesis. Efficient phosphorus-containing adsorbents and catalysts will also be developed.

To secure phosphorus ore resources, Sichuan will focus on exploration in key mineralization belts in Leibo and Mabian, establish dynamic reserve monitoring systems, advance phosphate base construction in both regions, and coordinate phosphorus ore development across Deyang, Leshan, and Liangshan to stabilize supply. The province will strictly control new small-scale phosphorus mines, guide enterprise consolidation and resource integration, implement mine ecological restoration for green mining, establish a government-enterprise collaborative phosphorus ore strategic reserve system, and promote the development of the Shifang-Mianzhu-Maoxian provincial-level phosphorus mine protection zone.

Sichuan will increase support for phosphorus chemical projects, leveraging "dual heavy" and "dual new" initiatives and special bonds to support technological transformation, equipment updates, research and development of medium-to-low-grade complex phosphorus ore utilization technologies, industrial applications, and phosphogypsum harmless treatment and resource utilization.