Urea

Urea (CAS 57-13-6), also known as carbamide, is one of the most commercially significant nitrogen compounds in global trade, supplying high-concentration nitrogen to agricultural and industrial markets alike.

Produced synthetically at industrial scale, it functions as a nitrogen source, humectant, protein denaturant, and chemical intermediate across a broad range of manufacturing sectors.

In agriculture, urea is the dominant solid nitrogen fertilizer, applied directly to soil or converted into liquid UAN solutions for crop nutrition programs. It remains a staple for global food production.

Cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulators incorporate it as a keratolytic humectant in topical creams, lotions, and medicated skin preparations where controlled moisture retention and skin-softening action are required.

Urea-formaldehyde resins, produced using urea as a primary feedstock, are the basis for adhesives, laminates, and particleboard binders in the wood panel industry. This makes it vital for construction.

In textiles and paper processing, it acts as a solubilizing and wetting agent during reactive dyeing and coating operations. This versatility ensures its use in diverse manufacturing environments.

Urea is supplied as white prilled or granular solid, with granular grades preferred for bulk agricultural handling and prills used in blended fertilizer applications. The physical form is optimized for use.

Pharmaceutical and cosmetic supply is available in USP, BP, and Ph.Eur. grades. Technical-grade material is standard for industrial resin and chemical synthesis applications.