Also known as carbamide, is an organic compound of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen, with the formula CON2H4 or (NH2)2CO. Urea is produced commercially from two raw materials, ammonia and carbon dioxide.

 

Large quantities of carbon dioxide are produced during the manufacture of ammonia from coal or hydrocarbons such as natural gas and petroleum-derived raw materials.

 

This allows the direct synthesis of urea from these raw materials. Urea has several advantages over other nitrogen fertilizers. Urea is safer to ship and handle, it is less corrosive to equipment, it has a higher analysis than any other dry nitrogen fertilizer and it can be used on virtually all crops.

​

Urea can be stored and distributed through conventional systems. It can be applied in many different ways from sophisticated aerial application equipment to a farm spreading urea by hand. Urea is also highly water soluble so it moves readily into the soil. The high analysis means a reduced transportation and application cost per kilogram of nitrogen.