Eco-efficient conversion of Moroccan phosphogypsum waste into ammonium sulfate fertilizer (NH4)₂SO₄ and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) for sustainable phosphate industry

• Phosphogypsum (PG), a byproduct of the Moroccan phosphate industry, poses serious economic and environmental concerns due to the presence of contaminants in its chemical composition. This emphasizes the importance of incorporating efficient valorization strategies that utilize the conversion of PG waste into valuable products. • This study explores the conversion of Moroccan PG waste into ammonium sulfate and calcium carbonate by subsequent washing and integrating ammonium carbonate. • By characterization analysis, valorized products prove PG's recovery potential, validating the effectiveness of the proposed valorization strategy and the quality of resulting products. • Ammonium sulfate and calcium carbonate exhibit significant use in industrial applications as fertilizers and construction materials, ensuring efficient waste recovery and sustainable environmental integrity. Phosphogypsum (PG), a byproduct of phosphoric acid production, is termed as waste that can be utilized as an efficient alternative in various industrial applications. Although millions of tons of PG waste are generated yearly, only a small proportion of it is repurposed for industrial use in other applications. A huge amount is being dumped into the environment, which causes serious ecological problems in soil, air, and water. A significant and comprehensive evaluation of sustainable PG valorization approaches among various industrial applications is critical for developing novel strategies. Therefore, there is a need to establish or incorporate sustainable valorization strategies of PG for industrial implementations with enhanced chemical properties. This study aims to provide a sustainable approach to utilizing PG waste through subsequent washing, followed by integration with ammonium carbonate that yields ammonium sulfate and calcium carbonate. These products were efficiently evaluated by characterization methods and validated as efficient valorization of PG, where one is used as a fertilizer, while the other is used as a construction material. Therefore, this study provides valuable insights into utilizing Moroccan PG waste as an effective byproduct due to its significant recovery potential, providing a new way of valorizing PG in agriculture and construction materials.