Urea is an organic chemical compound widely used as a raw material in agriculture, chemical manufacturing, and industrial applications, including fertilizers, resins, adhesives, and plastics.
Urea is available for shipping throughout the continental United States with a one week lead time for delivery. Please call (401) 360-2800 for details. Prilled Urea can be delivered in 25 Kg. Bags, 1,000 Kg. or 2,000 lb. Supersacks, Bulk Trucks and Bulk Railcars. It is also available in solution in varying concentrations.
Urea, with the chemical formula (NH₂)₂CO, is a colorless organic compound also known by the International Nonproprietary Name carbamide. It is highly soluble in water and was the first organic compound to be artificially synthesized from inorganic materials, representing a significant milestone in chemistry.
Urea is produced industrially from ammonia and carbon dioxide, with natural gas serving as the primary raw material. As a result, production economics and global pricing are closely tied to natural gas markets and agricultural demand. Finished urea is transported globally in large-volume shipments, and pricing can be volatile. The Chemical Company monitors global supply conditions to support competitive sourcing.
More than 90 percent of global urea production is used in fertilizer-related applications, typically in granular, prilled, or crystalline form. Beyond agriculture, urea is used extensively in chemical manufacturing, industrial processing, and commercial products.
Urea was first discovered in 1773 by French chemist Hillaire Rouelle. In 1828, Friedrich Wöhler synthesized urea from inorganic compounds, marking the beginning of modern organic chemistry.
Synthetic urea is produced by dehydrating ammonium carbamate under high heat and pressure, a process first implemented in 1870 and still used today. Urea may be manufactured in liquid or solid form and is produced in large volumes due to its broad industrial utility.
Urea is the most widely used nitrogen fertilizer globally, containing approximately 46.7 percent nitrogen by weight. Its high nitrogen concentration results in lower transportation costs per unit of nutrient compared to other fertilizers.
In soil, urea hydrolyzes into ammonia and carbon dioxide, with ammonia subsequently oxidized into nitrate that can be absorbed by plants. Urea is used in granular, prilled, crystalline, and solution forms, including fertilizer solutions such as UAN and foliar feeds.
Proper application methods, storage practices, and impurity control are critical to performance. Urea readily absorbs moisture and should be stored in sealed or covered conditions to maintain quality.
Urea is a key feedstock in the manufacture of numerous chemicals, including:
Urea also forms clathrates with certain organic compounds, enabling separation processes used in fuel and lubricant production.
Urea is used in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) systems to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel engines and power generation systems. Water-based urea solutions decompose to form ammonia, which reacts with NOx to produce nitrogen and water.
Urea is used in a wide range of commercial and industrial products, including:
In laboratory environments, urea is used as a protein denaturant and as a component of deep eutectic solvents. Medically, urea is incorporated into dermatological products, diagnostic testing, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Blood and urine urea measurements are commonly used to assess kidney function.
Urea is used as a non-corrosive alternative to chloride-based de-icing agents, particularly in aviation environments where corrosion protection is critical.
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CAS Number: 57-13-6
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