Responsible fertilizer use
OCP Nutricrops takes a responsible, science-based approach to fertilizer use — ensuring reliable access to high-quality products while meeting customer and regulatory expectations.
Our science based approach
As the custodian of 70% of the world’s phosphate, the OCP Group, through its subsidiary OCP Nutricrops, is committed to being a trusted and reliable global supplier of phosphate-based plant nutrition solutions.
Phosphate is one of the three essential elements vital to healthy plant growth. We know the power of phosphate in our products, but we also know that how they are used can be as important. A key principle of this is the 4Rs. Applying fertilizers from the right source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place is key to ensuring plants and soils use fertilizer to its maximum and avoid wastage.
OCP Nutricrops supports and adheres to the regulations of the markets where it operates, including with respect to cadmium and other trace elements. We support a science-based approach towards regulation which balances the sustainability of plant nutrition products alongside regional and global food security pressures, economic competitiveness and farmer livelihoods.
Empowering responsible use
We are committed to helping our customers use fertilizers responsibly. When applied correctly, phosphate enables farmers to protect and improve their soils while increasing productivity and income. We strongly support and encourage the implementation of farming practices that can significantly reduce the absorption and accumulation of trace metal elements – including cadmium – in the soil. These include:
• Implementing good agricultural practices like conservation agriculture techniques such as soil cover, reduced tillage, and the use of organic amendments.
• Applying fertilizers according to the principles of the 4Rs (right fertiliser, right rate, right time, right place) which helps maintain optimal soil nutrient levels, preventing both over-saturation and deficiencies.
• Avoiding excess nitrogen in the soil, as overapplication of nitrogen impacts the pH of soils and increases its solubility to trace elements such as cadmium.
Understanding cadmium
Cadmium is a naturally occurring element in most phosphate rich rock and as a result, can be present in phosphate-derived products such as fertilizer. As one of the world’s leading suppliers of phosphate fertilizer, we have developed the technology to safely reduce the naturally occurring cadmium in our products.
OCP Nutricrops strictly adheres to the regulations of all markets where we operate, including with respect to trace elements such as cadmium. As of 1st February 2025, we operate far below the regulated threshold in the European Union, with our products at less than 20mg/kg P₂O₅ of cadmium.
Q&A
OCP Nutricrops develops and produces market-leading customized soil nutrition solutions and services. OCP Nutricrops works with farmers in 97 countries to enhance soils to improve crop yields and quality and protect the environment. Through research and education programs, OCP Nutricrops empowers farmers to use fertilizer responsibly, unlocking the potential of soils.
The 4 Rs are at the heart of our customization strategy:
Right source: Matches fertilizer type to crop needs.
Right time: Makes nutrients available when crops need them.
Right rate: Matches the amount of fertilizer type crop needs.
Right place: Keep nutrients where crops can use them.
OCP Nutricrops strictly adheres to the regulations of all markets where we operate, including with respect to trace elements such as cadmium. In the European Union, our phosphate fertiliser products contain less than 20mg/kg P₂O₅ of cadmium, three times below the cadmium content threshold set in this market.
Yes, as of 1st February 2025, our phosphate fertiliser products across the EU contain less than 20mg/kg P₂O₅ of cadmium – which is three times lower than the regulatory limit of 60 mg/kg set by EU Regulation 2019/1009. By the end of 2025, all global fertiliser products will align with this threshold.
To support clearer product labelling and make this quality standard more visible to partners and customers, we are certifying our European product lines under the official low cadmium designation – with certified products set to carry the “Low Cd” pictogram as this process rolls out.
OCP Nutricrops is already using advanced processes to reduce the amount of naturally occurring cadmium in our fertilizer products. As part of our long-term commitment to sustainability and resource efficiency, we will build on this progress by integrating cadmium recycling into our circular economy approach from 2026. This work is made possible by our extensive and ongoing investment in research and development.
In addition to regulating inputs, OCP supports the implementation of science-backed policies and practices which can significantly reduce the absorption and accumulation of trace metal elements – including cadmium – in the soil. These include good agricultural practices; applying fertilizers according to the principles of the 4Rs; avoiding excess nitrogen in the soil, planting crops which have a low capacity to absorb these elements, and ensuring uncontaminated and/or treated water is used for irrigation.