Calcium hydrogen phosphate

1.Chemical and Physical Properties

1.1 Chemical Identity

• Chemical Name:
  • Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate (Dicalcium Phosphate)
• Common Names:
  • DCP, Calcium Phosphate Dibasic, Secondary Calcium Phosphate
• Molecular Formula:
  • CaHPO₄ (anhydrous) or CaHPO₄·2H₂O (dihydrate)
• Molecular Weight:
  • Anhydrous: 136.06 g/mol
  • Dihydrate: 172.09 g/mol
• CAS Number:
  • Anhydrous: 7757-93-9
  • Dihydrate: 7789-77-7

1.2 Physical Properties

• Appearance:
  • White, odorless crystalline powder or granules
• Crystal System:
  • Anhydrous: Triclinic
  • Dihydrate: Monoclinic
• Density:
  • Anhydrous: 2.92 g/cm³
  • Dihydrate: 2.31 g/cm³
• Melting Point: Decomposes before melting at approximately 400°C
• Solubility:
  • Water: Slightly soluble (0.02 g/100 mL at 25°C)
  • Dilute acids: Readily soluble
  • Alkaline solutions: Insoluble
• pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 7.0-8.5 in saturated solution)
• Particle Size: Typically 0.1-2.0 mm for feed applications

1.3 Chemical Properties

• Stability:
  • Stable under normal storage conditions
• Hygroscopicity:
  • Non-hygroscopic, does not absorb moisture readily
• Thermal Behavior:
  • Dihydrate loses water at 109°C to form anhydrous form
  • Further heating leads to formation of calcium pyrophosphate
• Chemical Reactivity:
  • Soluble in acids forming calcium and phosphate ions
  • Insoluble in alcohol and alkaline solutions
  • Compatible with most feed ingredients

2.Production Techonlogies

2.1 Wet Process Method(Primary Commercial Process)

• Raw Materials:
  • Wet-process phosphoric acid (28-54% P₂O₅)
  • Lime (calcium oxide, CaO) or limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃)
  • Process water
• Chemical Reactions:
  • With lime: H₃PO₄ + CaO → CaHPO₄ + H₂O
  • With limestone: 2H₃PO₄ + CaCO₃ → Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ + CO₂ + H₂O
  • Followed by: Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ + CaCO₃ → 2CaHPO₄ + CO₂ + H₂O
• Process Steps:
  • Acid Preparation: Phosphoric acid is diluted to required concentration
  • Neutralization: Controlled addition of calcium source to achieve proper pH (6.5-7.5)
  • Precipitation: Formation of DCP precipitate
  • Aging: Allowing crystal growth and maturation
  • Filtration: Separation of DCP from mother liquor
  • Washing: Removal of impurities and excess acid
  • Drying: Reduction of moisture content to 3-5%
  • Grinding and Sizing: Achieving desired particle size distribution

2.2 Thermal Process Method

• Raw Materials:
  • Thermal phosphoric acid (high purity)
  • Precipitated calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide
• Advantages:
  • Higher purity, lower heavy metal content
• Applications:
  • Food grade and pharmaceutical applications

2.3 Bone Meal Processing(Traditional Method)

• Source:
  • Animal bones from meat processing
• Process:
  • Steam treatment, degreasing, grinding, and sterilization
• Limitations:
  • BSE concerns, variable composition, declining use
• Current Status:
  • Mostly replaced by synthetic DCP

2.4 Defluorination Process

• Purpose:
  • Removal of excess fluorine from phosphate rock-derived products
• Methods:
  • Steam treatment at high temperatures
  • Chemical treatment with lime
  • Thermal defluorination in rotary kilns
• Requirement:
  • Fluorine content must be below 0.18% for feed use

3.Applications

3.1 Animal Feed Industry(Primary Application -95%)

• Poultry Nutrition:
  • Essential for egg shell formation in laying hens
  • Bone development in broiler chickens
  • Metabolic functions and enzyme activation
  • Typical inclusion rates: 0.5-2.0% of feed
• Swine Nutrition:
  • Critical for skeletal development in growing pigs
  • Reproduction performance in breeding sows
  • Prevents lameness and bone disorders
  • Inclusion rates: 0.5-1.5% of feed
• Ruminant Nutrition:
  • Supplementation for high-producing dairy cows
  • Growing cattle and sheep requirements
  • Pasture-based systems with low phosphorus soils
  • Typical inclusion: 0.2-1.0% of total ration
• Aquaculture:
  • Fish and shrimp feed formulations
  • Bone and scale development
  • Metabolic support in intensive farming systems
  • Specialized marine and freshwater applications

3.2 Food Industry Applications(3-4%)

• Food Additive (E341ii):
  • Leavening agent in baking applications
  • pH regulator and buffering agent
  • Anti-caking agent in powdered foods
  • Nutritional supplement in fortified foods
• Specific Food Uses:
  • Baking powders and cake mixes
  • Breakfast cereals and flour fortification
  • Infant formula and nutritional products
  • Pharmaceutical tablet excipient

3.3 Industrial Applications (1-2%)

• Ceramics and Glass:
  • Flux material in ceramic glazes
  • Opacity agent in glass production
  • Dental and bone porcelain manufacturing
• Chemical Industry:
  • Intermediate for other phosphate chemicals
  • Catalyst support material
  • Flame retardant systems
• Environmental Applications:
  • Water treatment for phosphorus removal
  • Soil remediation and heavy metal stabilization

4.Market Analysis

4.1 Global Market Overview

• Market Size:
  • Approximately 4-5 million metric tons annually
• Market Value:
  • $2.5-3.0 billion USD globally
• Growth Rate:
  • 3-4% CAGR driven by expanding livestock production
• Regional Distribution:
  • Asia-Pacific: 45% (China, India, Southeast Asia)
  • Europe: 25% (major livestock producing countries)
  • North America: 15% (USA, Canada)
  • Latin America: 10% (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico)
  • Others: 5%

4.2 Market Dynamics

• Demand Drivers:
  • Growing global meat consumption and protein demand
  • Expansion of intensive livestock and poultry production
  • Increasing awareness of animal nutrition optimization
  • Aquaculture industry growth
  • Feed efficiency and animal welfare requirements
• Supply-Side Factors:
  • Phosphate rock availability and quality
  • Sulfuric acid costs for phosphoric acid production
  • Energy costs for processing operations
  • Environmental regulations and compliance costs
  • Transportation and logistics costs
• Market Challenges:
  • Regulatory restrictions on phosphorus in animal waste
  • Competition from alternative phosphorus sources
  • Raw material price volatility
  • Quality consistency and contamination issues
  • Sustainability and environmental concerns

5.Upstream and Downstream Linkages

5.1 Upstream Linkages (Raw Materials and Supply Chain)

• Phosphoric Acid Supply:
  • Phosphate Rock Mining: Primary raw material source
    • Major suppliers: OCP (Morocco), Mosaic (USA), PhosAgro (Russia)
    • Quality requirements: Low fluorine, heavy metals content
  • Wet-Process Phosphoric Acid Production:
    • Sulfuric acid requirement for rock acidulation
    • Integration with fertilizer phosphoric acid production
    • Purification processes for feed-grade applications
• Calcium Sources:
  • Limestone Mining: High-purity calcium carbonate sources
  • Lime Production: Calcination of limestone to calcium oxide
  • Precipitated Calcium Carbonate: For high-purity applications
  • Quality Requirements: Low heavy metals, consistent composition
• Supporting Materials and Services:
  • Utilities: Steam, electricity, compressed air
  • Water Treatment: Process water purification systems
  • Filtration Equipment: Filter presses, centrifuges
  • Drying Equipment: Rotary dryers, flash dryers
  • Packaging Materials: Bulk bags, containers, pallets

5.2 Downstream Linkages (Markets and Distribution)

• Feed Industry Integration:
  • Feed Manufacturers:
    • Integrated poultry and livestock companies
    • Independent feed mills and cooperatives
    • Specialty aquaculture feed producers
    • Pet food manufacturers
• Distribution Channels:
  • Direct Sales: Large feed manufacturers and integrators
  • Distributors and Traders: Regional feed ingredient suppliers
  • Agricultural Cooperatives: Farmer-owned distribution networks
  • Specialty Suppliers: Aquaculture and organic feed sectors
• End-User Segments:
  • Poultry Industry:
    • Broiler integrators (Tyson, JBS, Cargill)
    • Layer operations and egg producers
    • Turkey and waterfowl producers
  • Swine Industry:
    • Integrated pork producers
    • Independent pig farmers
    • Breeding stock companies
  • Dairy and Beef:
    • Commercial dairy operations
    • Beef feedlot operations
    • Range and pasture supplementation
  • Aquaculture:
    • Salmon and fish farming operations
    • Shrimp farming enterprises
    • Specialized fish feed manufacturers
• Value-Added Services:
  • Technical Support: Animal nutritionist consultation
  • Quality Assurance: Analytical testing and certification
  • Logistics Services: Just-in-time delivery, bulk handling
  • Custom Blending: Premix and mineral mix formulations
• Regulatory and Quality Systems:
  • Feed Safety Regulations: FDA, EU feed regulations compliance
  • Quality Standards: ISO, HACCP, GMP certifications
  • Traceability Systems: Supply chain tracking and documentation
  • Sustainability Certifications: Responsible sourcing programs
• Market Intelligence and Innovation:
  • Research and Development: New product formulations
  • Market Research: Feed industry trends and demands
  • Technology Transfer: Processing improvements and efficiency
  • Strategic Partnerships: Joint ventures and alliances