American think tank says Morocco could become key US purified phosphoric acid source amid China competition

Morocco could become a key US source of purified phosphoric acid (PPA) used in lithium iron phosphate batteries, amid growing competition with China over battery production and critical mineral supply chains, according to a new article published by the Washington Institute.

Titled “The Other Phosphate: What Washington’s Moroccan Fertilizer Waiver Overlooks,” and authored by Salma Annasse, the article questioned whether Washington is ready to see Morocco as more than a longtime ally and emergency fertilizer supplier in times of crisis, but also a strategic partner in reducing global dependence on China for critical minerals.

It highlighted that China reportedly refines about three-quarters of the world’s PPA supply, “giving U.S. policymakers ample reason to look beyond immediate fertilizer shortages when expanding collaboration with Morocco.”

The article noted that Morocco has been producing purified phosphoric acid at the Jorf Lasfar industrial complex since the 1990s through EMAPHOS, a joint venture between Morocco’s OCP group, Belgium’s Prayon, and Germany’s Budenheim.

Yet, it argued that battery-grade purified phosphoric acid requires a higher level of purity, and Morocco has not publicly demonstrated commercial-scale production of the material for battery use.

It added that the US has only recently begun treating phosphate and its byproducts as strategically important critical minerals.

In November 2025, the US Geological Survey added phosphate to its list of critical minerals, while the While House invoked the Defense Production Act in June 2026 to support efforts to secure elemental phosphorus.

Washington also signed a critical minerals cooperation agreement with Morocco earlier this year.

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