First Phosphate licenses Prayon’s phosphoric acid production technology

First Phosphate Corp., a key player in the phosphate extraction and purification sector, has announced a new technological partnership with Prayon SA, a leader in phosphoric acid technology based in Engis, Belgium. Under the terms of the technology license agreement, First Phosphate will utilize Prayon’s technology to establish a merchant-grade phosphoric acid (MGA) manufacturing facility in Canada capable of producing 600 metric tons of P2O5 (phosphate) daily.

This agreement allows First Phosphate to deploy advanced techniques for processing igneous apatite phosphate rock into high-purity gypsum and phosphoric acid. These operations are anticipated to transform around 500,000 tonnes per year of apatite into approximately 190,000 tonnes of phosphoric acid, enhancing the company’s product portfolio.

In addition to the technology license, First Phosphate has engaged Milan-based engineering firm Ballestra S.p.A. to provide essential engineering services for the project. The company was chosen as a permanent licensee of Prayon Technologies.

First Phosphate will continue to receive sulfuric acid, which is crucial for the new phosphoric acid facility’s operations, from Norfalco, a division of Glencore Canada. The company is dedicated to developing the Bégin-Lamarche property in Quebec, which is rich in rare anorthosite igneous phosphate rock, known for its high purity and low environmental impact.