As Aim-listed Kropz shifts its focus to Nanophos production, the company reports that it plans to increase Nanophos production capacity at its Elandsfontein site, in the Western Cape to 180 000 t/y.

Kropz says Nanophos has the potential to significantly contribute to the phosphate market in South Africa, noting that the company's entrance into the market “promises to herald a new era for South Africa’s agricultural community”.

Nanophos is unique in South Africa with its phosphate, calcium and silica content in nanoparticle fractions.

The company says it is expected to sell at a price 50% lower than mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP).

“It is a South African product that is natural and organic with multiple benefits for the farmers, for crops and ultimately for the consumer. It will have better pricing than [alternative products].

“It has no known negative impacts on human health or on the natural environment and its mining and production will bring employment that would otherwise not exist,” says Kropz CEO Louis Loubser.

He explains that Nanophos, with its on-demand phosphate, combined with its free calcium and silica, stimulates healthy plant growth, improved root development and overall stronger and more resilient crops.

“Our intent was to prove a substitute source of phosphate that could compete with MAP. The initial literature studies did not agree.

“However, after extensive testwork and trials, we have concluded and proven otherwise. We are extremely excited by what we have seen in the field. The combination of phosphate, calcium and silica has shown truly remarkable results,” he says.

Kropz announced this shift in focus to Nanophos earlier this month.

As previously reported in Engineering News and Mining Weekly, Kropz had begun an urgent operational review and restructuring process at Kropz Elandsfontein, in South Africa, which would result in a reduction of revenue generated from phosphate rock.

The company said the operation had continued to face significant financial pressure in recent months, predominantly as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.

As a result, Kropz said it would instead focus on the development and growth of the Nanophos market.

Meanwhile, in a statement to shareholders on September 30, Kropz reported that the company would not be in a position to publish its annual report and accounts for the year ended March 31 by September 30.

Consequently, the company explained that its shares would be suspended from trading on the LSE’s Aim market with effect from October 1, pending publication of the financial year 2026 accounts.