OCP Nutricrops has just taken a major step forward in its environmental strategy. The company’s customized phosphate fertilizers, developed specifically for the European market, have now received a certification recognizing their low cadmium content—a significant achievement given the metal’s well-documented risks to human health.
The certified fertilizers contain less than 20 milligrams of cadmium per kilogram of phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅), far below the European Union’s regulatory ceiling of 60 mg/kg. This not only affirms OCP Nutricrops’ compliance with EU standards, but also reinforces the company’s broader commitment to both environmental and public health.
This European certification isn’t the finish line—it’s a launchpad. OCP Nutricrops plans to expand this low-cadmium benchmark across all its fertilizer products worldwide by the end of 2025. The move reflects a deliberate shift by the company to go beyond regulatory compliance and fully embed sustainability into its global operations.
Cadmium, a heavy metal naturally found in soils, can accumulate at higher concentrations due to certain farming or industrial practices. It is acutely toxic, especially to the kidneys, and long-term exposure has also been linked to bone damage. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified cadmium as a known human carcinogen, based on extensive studies in occupational settings.
Reducing cadmium in agricultural fertilizers is considered a public health priority across Europe. This initiative is closely aligned with EU goals to mitigate food-related health risks and safeguard ecosystems from harmful contaminants.
