Rapid Fire
Ammonium Nitrate Import Raises Concern
- 21 Sep 2024
- 2 min read
The sharp rise in ammonium nitrate (AN) imports from Russia has raised concerns for India's domestic fertiliser industry, which faces competition from cheaper imports.
- Indian fertiliser companies are investing over Rs 4,000 crore to boost AN capacity, vital for mining coal, iron ore, and limestone.
- Ammonium Nitrate (AN):
- Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃) is the nitrate salt of the ammonium ion, consisting of ammonia and nitric acid. It is a white crystalline solid highly soluble in water.
- Uses:
- Fertiliser: Its high nitrogen content makes it extensively used in agriculture.
- Explosives: Mixed with fuel oil to produce Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO), commonly employed in mining and demolition.
- Cold Packs: These are found in instant cold packs and are useful for injury treatment.
- Matches: AN is used in safety matches.
- About the Fertilizer Industry in India:
- India is the world's second-largest consumer of urea, after China, and the second-largest producer of nitrogenous fertilisers
- The fertiliser Industry is one of the 8 core industries in India.
- It receives the second-largest subsidy, after food.
- India meets 100% of its potash requirement through imports from countries like Belarus, Russia, Israel, and Jordan.
Read More: Fertiliser Consumption in India
