In agricultural production, phosphate fertilizers are essential to crop growth and development. What many may not realize is that the starting point of most common phosphate fertilizers is often a pale yellow, brittle crystal or powder — sulfur . With a global annual output of approximately 70 million tons , around 80% of sulfur supply comes as a byproduct of petroleum refining and natural gas processing , making it deeply intertwined with the global energy landscape. Sulfur