In common with most commercial nitrogen fertilizers, urea is manufactured from anhydrous ammonia (NH3).
The high analysis of urea—46% N—is the main reason for the low cost of this form of nitrogen fertilizer. Freight costs and storage and handling are all lower than with lower analysis fertilizers such as ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) or ammonium sulfate (21-0-0).
Urea 46% Nitrogen a white crystalline solid containing 46% nitrogen, is widely used in the agricultural industry as an animal feed additive and fertilizer.
Fertilizer urea can be purchased as prills or as a granulated material.
In the past, it was usually produced by dropping liquid urea from a “prilling tower” while drying the product. The prilled formed a smaller and softer substance than other materials commonly used in fertilizer blends. Today, though, considerable urea is manufactured as granules. Granules are larger, harder, and more resistant to moisture. As a result, granulated urea has become a more suitable material for fertilizer blends.
Urea 46, Main Specification
Normally Specification:
| Specifications | Urea Prilled | Urea Granulated | |
| Mass portion of nitrogen (N) on a dry basis, %min | 46.2 | 46.2 | |
| Mass portion of biuret, %, max | 1.0 | 1.0 | |
| Moisture (determined by Fischer method), % max: | 0.5 | 0.5 | |
| Color | white | white | |
| Static Strength | – | 2.5 kgs/granule | |