Technical ammonium nitrate: properties and applications

Technical ammonium nitrate (ammonium nitrate, NH₄NO₃) is a salt of nitric acid and ammonia and one of the most important products of the chemical industry. Its molecular mass is 80.04. It appears as a colourless crystalline solid with no odour. Its density is 1690–1725 kg/m³, and its melting point is 169.6 °C (at 2.5% moisture, it decreases to 140 °C). The elemental content of ammonium nitrate by mass is: oxygen — 60%, nitrogen — 35%, hydrogen — 5%. Ammonium nitrate is highly hygroscopic and prone to caking. It is readily soluble in water, with solubility strongly dependent on temperature. Dissolution occurs with significant heat absorption (0.33 MJ/kg) and a decrease in system temperature.

Regulatory Framework and Grades

Requirements for ammonium nitrate in Russia and CIS countries are regulated by GOST 2-2013 "Ammonium nitrate. Specifications". The standard applies to ammonium nitrate produced from ammonia and nitric acid and establishes requirements for the product intended for industry, agriculture and export. Depending on the intended use, ammonium nitrate is produced in two grades:

• Grade A — for industry. Used as a feedstock for the production of emulsion explosives and other types of industrial explosives.

• Grade B — for agriculture, as a nitrogen mineral fertilizer.

For water-resistant ammonium nitrate intended for the production of industrial explosives, GOST 14702-79 applies. The total mass fraction of nitrate and ammonium nitrogen, calculated as NH₄NO₃ on a dry basis, is at least 98%.

Production Technology

Modern industrial ammonium nitrate production is based on the neutralisation of nitric acid with gaseous ammonia. The reaction proceeds almost irreversibly and with the release of a significant amount of heat: NH₃(g) + HNO₃(l) → NH₄NO₃ + 144.9 kJ. Dilute nitric acid with a concentration of 47–60% is used in production. The heat of the neutralisation reaction is used to evaporate water and concentrate the solution.

The industrial process includes the following main stages: neutralisation of nitric acid with gaseous ammonia in an ITN apparatus; evaporation of the ammonium nitrate solution; granulation; granule cooling; treatment of granules with surfactants; packaging, storage and loading; and treatment of waste gases and wastewater. To prevent caking and improve physical and mechanical properties, additives are introduced during neutralisation: ammonium sulfate (0.05–0.2%) and phosphoric acid (0.3–0.5% P₂O₅).

Applications

Industrial explosives. This is the key application of technical ammonium nitrate. Due to its positive oxygen balance (OB = +20%), ammonium nitrate is a strong oxidising agent and serves as the main component of most industrial explosives. The detonation velocity is 1500 m/s at a density of 1.0 g/cm³, the blasting effectiveness is 180–220 ml, the heat of explosion is 2.62 MJ/kg, and the volume of explosion products is 980 ml. Technical ammonium nitrate grade A is used for the production of emulsion explosives used in mining, construction, tunnelling and overburden operations.

Agriculture. Ammonium nitrate grade B is widely used as a highly effective nitrogen fertilizer. Its nitrogen content is 34–35%, making it one of the most concentrated solid nitrogen fertilizers. The fertilizer is most effective for spring top-dressing and is well absorbed by plants.

Other applications. Ammonium nitrate is used in pyrotechnics, in the production of herbicides and insecticides, as a component of rocket propellant (in AN/AP/Al/HTPB compositions), and as a nitrogen source in biotechnological processes.

Safety and Storage

Ammonium nitrate is a strong oxidising agent. In the molten state, it reacts with many metals (copper, zinc, lead) and their alloys, forming the corresponding metal nitrates. Moist ammonium nitrate corrodes many metals. Molten and solid moist ammonium nitrate does not react with aluminium and its alloys, or steel with chromium and nickel additives, as structural materials, but in powder form, aluminium and iron react with ammonium nitrate. Thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate depends on temperature: at +110 °C, endothermic dissociation into ammonia and nitric acid occurs; at 200–270 °C, the decomposition rate increases. Contact with organic substances and combustible materials may cause combustion or explosion.

Storage of ammonium nitrate must be carried out in dry, well-ventilated areas, away from heat sources, organic materials and reducing agents. Moistening of the product must be prevented, as it can lead to caking and loss of flowability.

Global Market

Estimates of the global ammonium nitrate market vary depending on the methodology. According to Research and Markets, the market was valued at USD 20.28 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 21.34 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 5.3%, and USD 25.73 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 4.8%. According to Fortune Business Insights, the market was valued at USD 20.09 billion in 2025, USD 21.18 billion in 2026, and is projected to reach USD 35.15 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 6.40%. According to Mordor Intelligence, in physical terms, the market will amount to 53.43 million tonnes in 2026 and reach 58.19 million tonnes by 2031 at a CAGR of 4.36%.

Europe dominated the global market with a 38% share in 2025. The fertilizer segment holds the largest market share (43.8% in 2025), and the explosives segment accounts for 39.7%. Key growth drivers are increasing demand for nitrogen fertilizers, expanding mining activity, growth in construction and infrastructure projects, and the development of the defence industry. The main market trend is the shift to low-carbon ammonium nitrate produced using green hydrogen. Leading companies include Yara International ASA, Orica Ltd, CF Industries Holdings Inc., EuroChem Group AG, Acron Group, URALCHEM JSC.

Production in Russia

Russia is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of ammonium nitrate. In January–May 2026, ammonium nitrate production in Russia decreased by 9% year-on-year to 4.7 million tonnes. In May 2026, the decline reached 14% year-on-year and 11% month-on-month, to 786,100 tonnes — the lowest figure since the beginning of the year. Experts cite unscheduled repair work as one of the reasons for the production decline; additional pressure came from a reduction in ammonia production — the feedstock for ammonium nitrate: in January–May 2026, ammonia output in Russia decreased to 7.6 million tonnes (–7.5% y/y). Another factor was the temporary export ban on ammonium nitrate from 21 March to 21 April 2026, introduced to ensure supply for Russian farmers. The largest producers of ammonium nitrate in Russia are Acron, EuroChem, Uralchem and other enterprises.

Conclusion

Technical ammonium nitrate remains one of the key products of the global chemical industry, providing for the production of industrial explosives, nitrogen fertilizers and many other products. Growing demand for nitrogen fertilizers, expanding mining activity and infrastructure projects create sustained demand for this essential chemical. Russia, possessing significant production capacities, maintains its position as one of the leading players in the global ammonium nitrate market, and the transition to low-carbon production technologies determines the industry's further prospects.