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Urea

Urea is a nitrogenous chemical compound with the molecular formula CH4N2O. Urea is a waste product of the consumption of proteins and is used as manure for plants. Urea derivatives to which an organic chain is still attached to one or both of the nitrogen groups are called ureanes in organic chemistry. When all the hydrogen atoms on the nitrogen groups are replaced by organic chains, they are called guanidines.

Urea is produced from natural gas, air and water. In 2004, 127 million tonnes were produced world-wide. First, the hydrogen is produced. Then this is used to produce ammonia with the nitrogen from the air in the Haber Bosch process. This is then converted into urea in the next production step. The urea is then converted into granules.