Urea 46% —
Granular & Prilled
The world's most widely traded nitrogen fertilizer. Urea 46-0-0 (CO(NH₂)₂) provides the highest nitrogen concentration of any solid fertilizer at 46% N. Atabaş Group supplies granular and prilled urea in bulk and bagged form, with SGS / Bureau Veritas inspection at load port and full documentation as standard.
Key Specifications — Urea 46
- Nitrogen (N) Content 46% Min
- Biuret Content 1.0% Max
- Moisture Content 0.5% Max
- Free Ammonia 160 ppm Max
- Melting Point 132–135°C
- Granule Size (Granular) 2–4 mm, 90% Min
- Granule Size (Prilled) 1–2 mm, 90% Min
- Water Solubility Completely Soluble
- Appearance White, Odourless
- Standard IFA / GOST 2081-92
Two forms, multiple applications
Granular and prilled urea share identical nitrogen content but differ in particle size, dissolution rate and handling characteristics. The correct form depends on application method, crop type and infrastructure.
Larger particle size (2–4 mm) with lower hygroscopicity and reduced caking tendency. Preferred for mechanized broadcasting, blend fertilizers (UAN, NPK blends) and industrial use. Dust formation is lower than prilled, making it better suited for bulk handling equipment. Standard specification for mechanized farming in Europe, North America and large-scale agricultural markets. Also used in urea-formaldehyde resin production, adhesives and melamine manufacturing.
Smaller spherical particles (1–2 mm) produced by solidifying molten urea in a prilling tower. Higher solubility rate makes it the preferred form for liquid fertilizer preparation, foliar spray and drip irrigation. Widely used in regions with manual or semi-mechanized application. Also specified as a non-protein nitrogen (NPN) supplement in ruminant animal feed — biuret content must be ≤1.0% for feed applications. Produced without hardening agents, resulting in higher chemical purity.
Full specification, cargo-level certification
All Atabaş Group urea supply is certified by independent inspection at load port. Chemical analysis results are issued per cargo — not by reference to a standing spec sheet.
| Parameter | Granular Urea | Prilled Urea | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen (N) Content | 46.0% Min | 46.0% Min | ISO 5315 / AOAC |
| Biuret | 1.0% Max | 1.0% Max (feed: ≤1.0%) | ISO 8686 |
| Moisture | 0.5% Max | 0.5% Max | ISO 760 |
| Free Ammonia | 160 ppm Max | 150 ppm Max | ISO 5316 |
| Particle Size (D90) | 2–4 mm (90% min) | 1–2 mm (90% min) | Sieve analysis |
| Formaldehyde (anticake) | 0.5% Max | Not added | Colorimetric |
| Iron (Fe) | 5 ppm Max | 5 ppm Max | AAS |
| Appearance | White granules, no dust | White spherical prills | Visual |
| Solubility | Complete (100 g / 100 ml at 20°C) | Complete (faster dissolution) | — |
| Molecular Formula | CO(NH₂)₂ — CAS 57-13-6 | — | |
Bulk vessel, big bag or 50 kg — your choice
Urea is a hygroscopic product — moisture exposure causes caking and quality degradation. All Atabaş Group urea is loaded and transported under moisture-controlled protocols.
| Packaging | Unit | Application | Delivery Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk (Vessel) | Full / part cargo | Large-scale agricultural buyers, port terminals, blending facilities | FOB · CFR · CIF |
| Jumbo Big Bag (FIBC) | 1,000 kg / 1,250 kg | Distributors, fertilizer blenders, inland storage programs | FOB · CFR · CIF · DAP |
| 50 kg Polypropylene Bag | 50 kg net | Retail distribution networks, government procurement, aid programs | FOB · CFR · CIF · DAP · DDP |
| 25 kg Bag | 25 kg net | Specialty markets, export aid, institutional supply programs | FOB · CFR · CIF · DAP |
| Trade Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum Order | 1,000 MT per shipment (spot cargo) · 500 MT for bagged supply |
| Load Ports | Mersin · İskenderun (Turkey) · Constanta (Romania) · Baltic ports — subject to origin and commercial terms |
| Inspection | SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek at load port — mandatory on every cargo |
| Payment Terms | Staged wire transfer · D/P · escrow — documented in formal SPA |
| Documents | Bill of Lading · COO · Packing List · CoA · Weight Certificate · SGS Report |
| Incoterms | FOB · CFR · CIF · DAP · DDP (Incoterms 2020) |
Agricultural and industrial use cases
Urea 46 is the world's most widely applied nitrogen source — essential for cereal grain production and with significant industrial demand in the chemical and automotive sectors.
Wheat, corn, rice and barley account for the majority of global urea consumption. Applied pre-plant, at-plant or top-dressed during growing season. Nitrogen from urea converts to ammonium in soil within 2–4 days, making timing and incorporation critical for nitrogen use efficiency.
Prilled urea dissolved in water provides a rapid-acting foliar nitrogen source for vegetables, fruit trees and specialty crops. Low biuret grade (≤0.25%) prevents leaf scorch in sensitive applications. Used in fertigation programs with drip and sprinkler irrigation systems.
Urea is dissolved with ammonium nitrate and water to produce Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) solution at 28–32% N. UAN is a liquid nitrogen fertilizer widely used in North America and Western Europe, applied by injection or trailing shoe. Urea is the major feedstock in UAN production.
Industrial/technical grade urea is a key feedstock for UF (urea-formaldehyde) and MF (melamine-formaldehyde) resins — thermosetting plastics used in wood panel adhesives, plywood binders, particleboard and MDF manufacturing, automotive parts and electrical components.
A 32.5% aqueous urea solution (AdBlue / DEF — Diesel Exhaust Fluid) is injected into diesel exhaust systems to reduce NOx emissions via Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). Automotive-grade urea requires ≤0.2% biuret and ultra-low impurity levels per ISO 22241. This is a separate specification from agricultural urea.
Prilled urea serves as a non-protein nitrogen (NPN) supplement in cattle and sheep feed, where rumen microorganisms convert urea nitrogen to microbial protein. Reduces dependence on soybean meal. Biuret must not exceed 1.0% to prevent toxicity. Only suitable for ruminants — not for poultry or monogastric animals.
Structured supply for institutional urea buyers
Independent third-party inspection at load port is non-negotiable. CoA, weight certificate and SGS report are issued on every cargo — not by reference to a standing specification. Cargo-level quality assurance, not factory-level.
All urea transactions are executed under a written Sale and Purchase Agreement specifying product grade, form (granular/prilled), quantity, packaging, delivery terms, inspection protocol and payment structure — before any cargo is committed.
From full bulk vessel cargoes to palletized 50 kg bags. FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP and DDP delivery available. Load ports in Turkey and Europe. Flexible structure for government procurement, development programs and private distributors.
Three consecutive clean IFRS audit opinions. ISO 9001, 14001, 37001 and 45001 certified. UN Global Compact signatory. LEI registered (984500DB9C2D71FF8846). Institutional due diligence requirements satisfied in all major markets.
Atabaş Group does not issue, accept or request Standby Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees or similar instruments as pre-qualification tools. Any entity claiming to represent Atabaş Group via SBLC/BG structures is not authorized. Contact only through atabas.com.tr/contact-us.
Since 1981, one principle: no matter what, keep your word. In a commodity market defined by quality disputes and delivery failures, consistent execution is the only sustainable advantage. Our published financials and audit records are the evidence.
Common questions from urea buyers
What is the difference between granular and prilled urea?
Both forms contain 46% minimum nitrogen and are chemically identical, but differ in particle size and production method. Granular urea (2–4 mm) is produced in a granulation plant, has lower hygroscopicity and handles better in mechanized spreading equipment. Prilled urea (1–2 mm) is produced by dropping molten urea through a prilling tower — it dissolves faster in water, making it preferred for liquid fertilizer production, foliar spraying and drip irrigation. For bulk blending into NPK formulations, granular is the standard. For foliar and feed applications, prilled is generally preferred.
What does biuret content mean and why does it matter?
Biuret (C₂H₅N₃O₂) is a byproduct formed when urea is overheated during production. Agricultural-grade urea typically specifies ≤1.0% biuret, which is safe for soil application. For foliar spray, ≤0.25% biuret is required to prevent leaf scorch on sensitive crops. For ruminant animal feed, ≤1.0% biuret is the maximum to avoid toxicity. Automotive grade urea (AdBlue/DEF) requires ≤0.2% biuret and additional impurity controls per ISO 22241. Atabaş Group reports biuret content per cargo in the Certificate of Analysis issued by SGS or equivalent.
Why does urea cake and how is it prevented?
Urea is hygroscopic — it absorbs moisture from air, which causes particles to bond together (caking) and reduces flowability. Granular urea typically contains a formaldehyde-based anticaking agent (≤0.5%) applied as a coating. Prilled urea is generally supplied without anticaking agents. Prevention during transport and storage requires moisture-proof packaging (laminated PP bags or sealed jumbo bags), covered warehouse storage, and dry vessel holds for bulk shipment. Atabaş Group coordinates moisture-controlled loading and transport on all urea cargoes.
What is the minimum order quantity for urea supply?
Minimum order is approximately 1,000 MT for spot cargo shipments of bulk urea, and 500 MT for bagged supply. For term contracts with monthly or quarterly shipments, volume requirements are discussed and formalized in the SPA. All minimums are indicative — please contact us at atabas.com.tr/contact-us with your required specification, quantity, destination port and preferred Incoterm for a commercial offer.
Can Atabaş Group supply urea for government and humanitarian procurement programs?
Yes. Atabaş Group's formal documentation framework — written SPA, independent SGS/BV inspection, EN-equivalent analysis certificates, IFRS-audited financials and ISO 9001/37001 certification — satisfies the due diligence and compliance requirements of government procurement agencies, development banks and international aid organizations. Both bulk and 50 kg bagged supply is available under DAP or DDP terms for inland delivery programs.
Enquire about urea supply
Granular · Prilled · Bulk · Bagged · FOB / CFR / CIF · SGS Inspected · 1,000 MT min
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