Phosphoric Acid Supply to Africa: Water Treatment, Food and Industrial Use

Africa is a major phosphate producer in its own right, so the phosphoric acid that matters for most buyers there is not fertiliser-grade bulk – it is the technical and food-grade acid used in water treatment, food and beverage processing, and metal treatment. This page covers how we supply that acid to African sites: the demand, the packing, the ports and the documents.

1. Where phosphoric acid is used in Africa

Sector	Use
Water treatment and utilities	pH adjustment and phosphate-based corrosion control in municipal and industrial water
Food and beverage	Acidulant and pH regulator (food grade, E338) – soft drinks, jams, processed foods
Metal treatment	Phosphating, rust conversion and surface preparation
Industrial cleaning	Descaling and acid cleaning where a less aggressive acid is wanted
Phosphate chemicals	Feedstock for phosphate salts and other derivatives

2. Grades for African buyers

Grade	Concentrations	Use
Technical / industrial	75% and 85%	Water treatment, metal treatment, cleaning
Food grade (E338)	85%	Food and beverage processing

Buy the grade the job needs: food grade carries a premium, and 85% is a more corrosive, regulated load than 75%.

3. Packaging

Packaging	Notes
35 kg drums	Convenient for smaller sites and dosing points
IBCs (intermediate bulk containers)	Common plant-scale pack; forklift handling
ISO tanks	Bulk liquid delivery for larger users

Phosphoric acid is corrosive; packaging must be acid-resistant and food-grade material must be suitable for food contact. Store in closed, acid-resistant containers away from strong bases and reactive metals.

4. Ports and terms

We quote FOB or CIF to the ports your site uses:

Region	Example ports
Southern Africa	Durban, Cape Town, Walvis Bay, Beira, Maputo
East Africa	Mombasa, Dar es Salaam
West Africa	Tema, Takoradi, Lagos/Apapa, Abidjan, Cotonou

5. Documents and compliance

Per-batch COA – assay and the impurity parameters that matter (arsenic, fluoride, heavy metals for food grade).
SDS – handling, storage and transport.
Food-grade documentation for E338 use.
REACH registration – for material supplied into the EU, and useful evidence of regulatory standing elsewhere.
Third-party inspection (SGS/BV) on request.

6. Planning supply

Lever	Effect
Annual / quarterly volume	Better pricing and dependable supply
Correct concentration	75% is easier and safer to handle than 85% where the stronger acid is not needed
ISO tanks / IBCs / full drum loads	Lower freight per tonne
Two qualified suppliers	Protects supply if one plant is short

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you supply phosphoric acid to African plants?

Yes – technical and food grade, in drums, IBCs and ISO tanks, FOB or CIF to Durban, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Walvis Bay, Tema, Lagos and other ports.

What concentration is used for water treatment?

Both 75% and 85% technical grade are used; the working strength is set by the dosing system, so choose the concentration for handling and freight.

Is food-grade acid available?

Yes – food grade (E338) is supplied at 85%, with the documentation food and beverage processors need.

What documents come with a shipment?

A per-batch COA, the SDS, food-grade documentation where relevant, and third-party inspection on request.