New standards for fused phosphate fertilizers in agriculture

Accordingly, TCVN 1078: 2023 is a replacement for TCVN 1078: 2018 and was compiled by the Technical Committee of National Standard TCVN/TC 134 Fertilizers - Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality proposed and announced by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

This International Standard applies to fused phosphate fertilizers and also specifies criteria for fused phosphate fertilizers for use in organic farming. Specifically, fused phosphate fertilizers must conform to the requirements specified in Table 1 (below).

In addition, fused phosphate fertilizers used in organic farming must meet the requirements stated in Table 1 and the following criteria: One is the production materials must be of natural origin, and the other is that no chemicals are used in the production process.

To determine the effective phosphorus content, it is necessary to dissolve the fused phosphate fertilizer with a 2% citric acid solution. Precipitate phosphate ions with ammonium molybdate in nitric acid, using excess ammonium hydroxide to dissolve the precipitate.

Then, using a magnesium mixture, the phosphate ion is precipitated in the form of NH4MgPO4. Filter, wash, and calcinate the NH4MgPO4 precipitate. The precipitate after calcination is in the form of Mg2P2O7, weighing and calculating the effective phosphorus content (according to P2O5).

With the content of calcium oxide, magnesium oxide needs to decompose and convert calcium oxide and magnesium oxide in the fertilizer sample with a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. Determine the content of calcium oxide, and magnesium oxide in the solution by titration with EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid).

To determine the particle size (fineness), the operator needs to weigh about 250g of the dried sample (accurate to 0.01g). Select sieve (5.3.1.1) or sieve (5.3.1.2) according to sample form (powder, granular or pellet). Pour the sample onto the sieve. Cover the sieve and carry out the sieving process until no sample passes through the sieve. Weigh the residue on the sieve, with a precision of up to 0.01g.

In addition, moisture is determined according to TCVN 9297 and cadmium content is determined according to TCVN 9291.

The packaging regulation is that fused phosphate fertilizers are packed in bags. The weight of the bag depends on the manufacturer, but the difference in weight is not more than ± 0.5%. The bag containing the fused phosphate fertilizer must be durable and moisture-proof.

The cover must include the following information: Manufacture factory; Product's name; Product form; Effective phosphorus content (in terms of P2O5), calcium content (in terms of CaO), magnesium content (based on MgO), cadmium (Cd) content and moisture; Manufacture date expiry date; Net weight; and reference to the standard TCVN 1078: 2023.

The standard also stipulates that the fused phosphate fertilizer must be stored in a dry, covered place and transported by covered vehicles, ensuring a dry environment.

In 2022, the production and business of Van Dien Fused Phosphate Joint Stock Company faced many difficulties and challenges when the world situation had many negative impacts on domestic production and business activities.

At a time when the Covid-19 pandemic is complicated and widespread, most employees have to be isolated at home, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict led to a shortage of raw materials, pushing up the prices of all kinds of materials by 10-20%.

However, with the great efforts of the leaders, employees, and employees of Van Dien Fused Phosphate Joint Stock Company, they have completed the production and business plan in 2022.

Although sales volume decreased by 15% compared to the same period in 2021, the selling price was adjusted up by the pressure of increasing prices of input materials, and selling expenses... so revenue increased by 9% over the same period in 2021; profit increased by 34% over the same period, reaching more than VND 47 billion. Production output in 2022 will reach 223,900 tons of fertilizers of all kinds, reaching the group's assigned output.

Notably, despite facing many difficulties due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and political conflicts in the world, export output is still at nearly 15,000 tons, these mainly are direct export, export consignment only 3,200 tons of the total 14,750 tons exported.