Phosphogypsum is a side-product from the production of phosphoric acid by treating phosphate ore (apatite) with sulfuric acid. The waste often contains a number of undesirable components such as heavy metals that can be detrimental to the surrounding area if not carefully managed. 

Rare earth elements generally amount to less than 0.1% in phosphate rock. But worldwide, about 100,000 tons of these elements per year end up in phosphogypsum waste. UMETEQ's experts found an environmentally friendly way to develop a new source of rare earth elements based on phosphate rock waste and are ready to take our solutions into industrial use.