Escalating conflicts in the Middle East and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have triggered an unprecedented fracture in the global urea supply chain. China has imposed strict export quotas on urea, making overseas procurement increasingly difficult.

Strategic Necessity

Now, ASN (Ammonium Sulfate Nitrate) is moving from an “alternative choice” to a “strategic necessity”.

At a glance: Key parameter comparison – ASN vs Urea

“ASN vs Urea: Key Parameters Compared”

Parameter	ASN	Urea
Total Nitrogen	26%	46%
Sulfur content	12.5–13%	0%
Nitrogen forms	Ammoniacal N 18% + Nitrate N 8%	Amide N (needs conversion to ammoniacal N)
Water solubility	>99%, rapid release within 24h	Soluble, but prone to volatilization
Supply stability	Exports allowed, no quota restrictions	Export quota control, strict during spring season

Dual-nutrient synergy: It’s not just nitrogen, it’s also sulfur

The real advantage of ASN goes beyond nitrogen. With 12.5–13% sulphur (S), sulfur is the fourth major plant nutrient after N, P, K, essential for protein synthesis and chlorophyll formation.

“ASN: Nitrogen + Sulfur – Synergistic Efficiency”

ASN is produced via high-tower melt granulation, forming spherical granules with >99% water solubility – rapid N release within 24 hours, sustained for 30–50 days. The optimal ratio of ammoniacal N to nitrate N (approx. 19:7) provides both an immediate response from nitrate N and a steady supply from ammoniacal N.

Field-proven: Yields equal to urea, with less loss

Multiple field trials confirm that ASN delivers yields comparable to or even better than urea:

Potato: Idaho field trials showed no significant difference in yield and quality between ASN and urea for Russet Burbank and Norkotah potatoes under varying N rates. ASN is an effective equivalent nitrogen source.
Spring wheat: Multi-year field trials in western Canada showed no significant yield difference between ASN and untreated urea, with yield ranges of 77.0 bu/acre.
Maize: Under specific climatic conditions, ASN + DCD showed yield advantages in more humid climates.

Even more importantly, ASN is environmentally friendlier than urea – field trials indicate that ASN can reduce ammonia volatilization by 30% and nitrogen leaching by 25%, while maintaining stable soil pH and effectively offsetting the soil acidification caused by urea.

Supply certainty: ASN’s greatest strategic value

In today’s global nitrogen market where “finding urea is hard”, supply certainty itself carries a premium.

China applies annual urea export quotas, strictly controls exports during the spring planting season, and urea export volumes have dropped by about 40% year on year. In contrast, ASN – as a by product of caprolactam, coking, and power plant desulphurization – has production volumes deeply tied to the operating rates of those primary industries, making its supply highly inelastic. More importantly, current export policies are relatively relaxed for ASN, making it one of the most reliable nitrogen sources available on the international market.

Best-fit scenarios for ASN

Alkaline / calcareous soils: ASN is physiologically acidic; when applied it effectively lowers soil pH and improves nutrient availability.

Sulfur loving crops: Maize, wheat, rice, canola, potato – all have high sulphur demand; sulfur supplementation significantly boosts yield and quality.

Dryland crops: ASN works well as a basal or top dressing fertiliser for dryland farming, meeting crop needs at different growth stages.

Areas prone to nitrogen loss: The slow release characteristics of ASN effectively reduce nitrogen leaching and volatilization.

Conclusion

While the global urea supply chain continues to suffer from geopolitical shocks, ASN is emerging as a reliable, cost effective alternative – with stable supply, dual nutrient efficiency, and outstanding value for growers and fertilizer buyers worldwide.

ASN is not just an alternative. It’s the new standard.