Gypsum - USE IN AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE?

Question

As a provider of 'recycled gypsum' does anyone have a need for this material in either granular or dust form.

It may have potential for use as a 'cast' for ceremics; it certainly has use as a soil conditioner or sulphur fertilizer for use on soils (UK based).

If you would like to discuss, or identify other uses, which I haven't come accross, then please tell me. You can visit the website at www.recyclet.co.uk

Answer 1

Andrew, Mike's answer isn't made in a American context. I work in the Ag fertilizer industry in Texas and we still have to apply sulfur for crops.

Best thing for recycled gypsum is mixed with lime.

Answer 2

A company I worked for recycles thousands of tonnes of gypsum a year, from discarded gypsum plasterboard.  Its main use was in the treatment of potential acid sulphate soils, and was also used mixed with crushed limestone as a source of sulphur as a soil additive, and also in the manufacture of fetrilisers.

It is a valuable resource, but care  is needed to make sure it is not contaminated with lead-based paint, and that it is pure gypsum (calcium sulphate) plasterboard, and not fibrous plasterboard (which had rock or glass wool added).

Edit:

The answer above (re no need for sulphur) is, I think made in an American context.  In Australia, it is certainly valuable, the problem being transport costs from cities where most discarded plasterboard is found to the country.

Another increasing use was in the neutralisation of biosolids, if those were being recovered for use

Answer 3

Not too much need for sulfur anymore as the environment is saturated with it from all the coal and sulfured fuels burnt over the years. Sulfur deficiency never ocurrs in nature anymore. If you have a clean product though it might have benefits in lightening some soils or stabilizing rammed earth or as a recycled brick making additive.

Answer 4

hey, try this...

http://www.westernminingandminerals.com/...

might not help but try getting in contact with your local allotment sites - they may well be interested...

Answer 5

Gypsum has multiple uses in agriculture.  Calcium Sulfate provides two nutrients required for plant growth and can be used as a fertilizer.  Contrary to what has been previously stated, sulfur deficiency in crops has increased dramatically since 1970.   Not only has this been evident in crops, but several research studies have found an increase in animal production when fed hay fertilized with either calcium or ammonium sulfate.

It is also used as a soil amendment to reduce sodium levels in western and irrigated soils.  Malcolm Summner also found a significant increase in alfalfa yield with applications of calcium sulfate on the extremely acid soils of north Georgia. (look around 1990, American Forage and Grassland Council).  It is suspected the disassociated molecule (calcium sulfate) moves sodium and aluminum out of the rooting profile with water infiltration.

Good luck.