Fertilizer NPK

Product Interpretation

283

04/11/2025

1.Product Characteristics and Properties

1.1 Definition and Classification

NPK fertilizer refers to fertilizers containing at least two or all three of the primary nutrients: nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P), and potassium (K). According to the international fertilizer association (IFA) and Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) standards, NPK fertilizers are classified into three categories based on production processes:

Chemical Compound Fertilizer: produced through chemical reactions, featuring excellent nutrient integration, uniform element distribution, and long-lasting effects
Compound Mixed Fertilizer: produced by physical mixing methods, forming granules by blending different nutrient materials. According to international standards, total nutrient content typically ranges from 30% to 50%
Bulk Blending Fertilizer(BB Fertilizer): Mechanical mixing of single-element fertilizers in specific proportions, with each fertilizer particle maintaining its original form.

1.2 Nutrient Labeling and Content Specifications

NPK fertilizers are typically labeled with three numbers representing the percentage of P₂O₅-K₂O content:

Common specifications include: 15-15-15, 17-17-17, 18-18-18, 16-16-16, and 24-12-6
According to international standards, high-quality compound fertilizers generally have a total nutrient (N+P₂O₅+K₂O) content of no less than 40%
High-concentration compound fertilizers popular in the European market can reach total nutrient contents of 45%-60%
Special formulations can be adjusted according to crop requirements, such as 5-10-30 for fruit crops or 20-10-10 for leafy vegetables

1.3 Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical Properties
- Granular Characteristics: high-quality NPK fertilizers feature round or near-round granules with uniform particle size(2-4mm) and smooth surfaces.
- Strength: International standard crushing strength ≥ 20N/granule, facilitating mechanical application and transportation.
- Critical Relative Humidity(CRH): high-quality compound fertilizers have CRH values > 70%, ensuring storage stability.
- Bulk Density: Typically 0.95-1.05g/cm³, affecting packaging and transportation efficiency
- Flowability: flow angle typically 25°-35°, conducive to uniform spreading
Chemical Properties:
- Water solubility: in quality compound fertilizers, 70%-90% of nutrients are water-soluble, facilitating crop absorption
- pH value: varies significantly between different formulations(4.5-8.5), affecting soil environment and nutrient availability
- Salt index: affects crop water absorption, typically controlled between 60-70
- Nutrient Release characteristics: depending on product type, can achieve quick-release (24-72 hours), slow-release (2-4 weeks), or controlled-release (2-9 months) effects.

1.4 Comparative Analysis of differernt NPK fertilizers

Type	Production Process	Nutrient Uniformity	Fertilizer Effect	Nutrient Release Rate(28 days)	Application Range
Chemical Compound	Chemical reaction	Excellent (>95%)	long-lasting,balanced release	60-70%	Economic crops, high-value crops
Compound Mixed	Physical mixing and granulation	Good (85-95%)	relatively balanced nutrient release	70-80%	Multiple crops, extensive applications
Bulk Blending(BB)	Mechanical Mixing	Fair (75-85%)	Each nutrient maintains original characteristics	Varies by component	regional customization needs
Controlled-release NPK	Coating technology	Very good (90-98%)	Long-term slow release	30-50%	economic crops, facility agriculture
Water-soluble NPK	Crystallization or spray drying	Excellent (>98%)	rapid dissolution and absorption	>90%	drip irrigation, foliar application

2.Production Processes and Manufacturing Methods

2.1 Main Raw Materials

Raw materials for NPK fertilizer production include:

Nitrogen Sources:
- Urea (CO(NH₂)₂): 46.4% nitrogen content, global production approximately 170 million tons/year
- Ammonium Sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄): 21% nitrogen, 24% sulfur
- Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃): 35% nitrogen, half as nitrate and half as ammonium
- Calcium Nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂): 15.5% nitrogen, 19% calcium, suitable for vegetables and fruit trees
Phosphorus Sources:
- Monoammonium Phosphate (NH₄H₂PO₄): 11% N, 48-61% P₂O₅
- Diammonium Phosphate ((NH₄)₂HPO₄): 18% N, 46% P₂O₅
- Single Superphosphate (Ca(H₂PO₄)₂·H₂O+CaSO₄): 16-20% P₂O₅
- Triple Superphosphate (Ca(H₂PO₄)₂·H₂O): 46-52% P₂O₅
Potassium Sources:
- Potassium Chloride (KCl): 60-62% K₂O, global production approximately 40 million tons/year
- Potassium Sulfate (K₂SO₄): 50-52% K₂O, 18% sulfur, suitable for chloride-sensitive crops
- Potassium Nitrate (KNO₃): 13% N, 45% K₂O, suitable for high-value economic crops
Other Additives
- Micronutrients: Boron (0.02-1%), Zinc (0.1-2%), Copper (0.05-1%), Iron (0.1-2%), Manganese (0.1-1%), etc.
- Auxiliary Materials: Binders (0.5-2%), Anti-caking agents (0.2-1%), Colorants (0.1-0.5%), etc.
- Functional Additives: Nitrification inhibitors (0.1-0.5%), Urease inhibitors (0.05-0.3%), etc.

2.2 Ammonium-Acid Process(Tower Granulation)

The ammonium-acid process is the mainstream technology for high-concentration NPK production globally, accounting for about 40% of global compound fertilizer production:

Raw Material Preparation and Proportioning:
- Molar ratio of liquid ammonia to sulfuric and phosphoric acids controlled at 1:0.9-0.95
- Solution pH controlled at 4.5-6.0; excessive acidity causes equipment corrosion, while insufficient acidity affects product quality
Neutralization Reaction:
- Reaction equation: 2NH₃ + H₂SO₄ → (NH₄)₂SO₄ + heat (1619kJ/kg)
- Reaction temperature controlled at 110-130℃ through precise control of feed rate and proportions
- Neutralization heat (approximately 1000-1200kJ/kg product) used for water evaporation
Potassium salt addition and granulation:
- Tower spraying pressure at 0.8-1.2MPa, atomization particle size controlled at 80-120μm
- Counter-current hot air temperature at 90-110℃, air velocity 15-25m/s
- Finished product exit temperature controlled at 80-90℃, moisture
- Screening and post-treatment:
  - Screening precision > 96%, qualified particle size 2-4mm, proportion > 90%
  - Coating agent usage 0.2-0.5kg/ton, common coating agents include mineral oil and mineral wax
- Energy Consumption and Output Ratio
  - Average energy consumption: stream 200-300kg/ton product, electricity 40-60kWh/ton
  - Water resource utilization: 0.1-0.3 tons/ton product
  - Large-scale plant production capacity can reach 300,000-500,000 tons/year

Raw Material Pretreatment:

Crushing fineness: 80% passing through 60-mesh screen, increased surface area facilitates reaction
Mixing uniformity detection: Coefficient of variation(CV) controlled at
Granulation Process Control:
1. Drum length-to-diameter ratio typically 3:1 to 4:1, rotation speed 8-12rpm
2. Internal temperature controlled at 65-85℃, humidity 15-25%
3. Residence time 4-8 minutes, bed thickness controlled at 30-40cm
Drying and Screening System:
1. Drying temperature controlled at 100-120℃, hot air velocity 1.2-2.5m/s
2. Water evaporation rate 25-35kg/m²·h, energy utilization efficiency 65-75%
3. Screening efficiency>92%, particle size compliance rate >85%

Product Stability Control:

Finished product dust content

Coating uniformity testing: water solubility test, 24-hour dissolution rate difference

2.4 Slurry Process

The slurry process is widely applied in large-scale production facilities, especially in North America and Europe:

Slurry Prepartation and Regulation:

Slurry concentration controlled at 45-55%, viscosity 800-1200mPa·s
Precise control of calcium-magnesium ratio (
Slurry pH stabilized at 5.0-6.5, ensuring stable existence of various nutrients
Precise Granulation Control：
1. Spraying pressure 1.0-1.5MPa, atomization particle size controlled at 60-100μm
2. Granulation disc diameter 2.0-3.0m, inclination angle 45-55°, rotation speed 15-25rpm
3. Bed temperature controlled at 80-95℃, humidity 18-22%

Thermal Energy Management System:

Hot air temperature gradient control: inlet 350-420℃, outlet 90-110℃
Heat recovery rate > 65%, reducing production costs
Waste gas treatment efficiency > 99%, dust emission
Finished Product Parameter Precision Control:
1. Product particle size distribution: 2-4mm proportion > 92%
2. Crushing strength mean value > 35N/granule, ensuring stability during long-distance transportation
3. Critical Humidity absorption(CRH) > 75%, improving storage stability

2.5 Controlled-Release NPK Fertilizer Production Process

Controlled-release NPK fertilizer technology is rapidly developing, with a stable global market growth rate of 4.5-5.5%:

Core Technical Parameters:

Coating thickness precisely controlled at 20-200μm, error
Multi-layer coating technology(2-5 layers), achieving multi-stage nutrient release
Release cycle precisely designed for 40,60,90 or 180 days
Common Coating Material Performance:
1. Sulfur coating: low cost, thickness 30-100μm, suitable for short-term controlled release(1-2 months)
2. Polymer coating: Thickness 15-30μm, precise release control, period 3-9 months
3. Composite coating: Combines advantages of sulfur and polymer, more balanced release, longer service life
Coating Process Key Parameters:
1. Sulfur Coating temperature controlled at 130-150℃, polymer coating temperature 60-90℃
2. Drum angle 30-40°, rotation speed 15-25rpm, ensuring uniform coating
3. Cooling rate controlled at 5-8℃/min, preventing coating cracks

Release Performance Testing Standards:

5℃ water release test: 7-day release rate 15-25%, 28-day release rate 30-50%
Cyclic temperature test (5-35℃): Temperature sensitivity coefficient

Soil incubation test: 90-day release curve deviation from theoretical design

3.Application Effects and Methods

3.1 Application Effects on Major Crops

Global data on NPK compound fertilizer application effects:

Cereal Crops:
- Wheat: scientific application of NPK compound fertilizer can increase yield by 10%-15% protein content by 0.5-1.5 percentage points
- Rice: Precise application increases yield by 10-20% compound to traditional fertilization, nitrogen utilization efficiency improved by 8-15 percentage points
- Corn: Formula application can increase yield by 15-25%, nitrogen utilization efficiency improved from 30-35% tp 40-45%
- Seasonal nitrogen utilization rate comparison for cereal crops: ordinary nitrogen fertilizer 35-40%, controlled-release compound fertilizer 45-55%
Economic Crops:
- Cotton: proper application can increase yield by 15-20%, fiber length by 1.5-3.0mm
- Rapeseed: Yield increase by 15-25%, oil content improved by 1-2 percentage points
- Sugarcane: using controlled-release compound fertilizer increases yield by 2.50-8.20%
- Tobacco: Quality-type compound fertilizer can improve the sugar-to-alkaloid ratio by 15-25%, grade rate by 8-12 percentage points
Fruits and Vegetables:
- Vegetables: Can increase yield by 20-30%, vitamin C content by 10-18%, reduce nitrate content by 15-25%
- Fruit trees: improve fruit quality, soluble solids content increased by 0.5-1.5°Brix, fruit size increased by 5-12%
- Greenhouse vegetables: water-soluble compound fertilizer applied through drip irrigation saves water by 30-50%, fertilizer by 20-30%

3.2 Scientific Application Methods and Dosages

Soil Test-Based Application Standards

Available soil nitrogen
Available soil phosphorus
Available soil potassium

Acidic soil (pH

Recommended Application Rates for Major Crops(kg/ha):

Crop	Low Fertility Soil	Medium Fertility Soil	High Fertility Soil	Split Application Recommendation
Wheat	500-600	400-500	300-400	Base fertilizer 70%, jointing stage 30%
Rice	600-750	450-600	300-450	Base fertilizer 60%, tillering stage 30%, ear stage 10%
Corn	600-750	450-600	300-450	Base fertilizer 50%, jointing stage 30%, tasseling stage 20%
Potato	750-900	600-750	450-600	Base fertilizer 40%, tuber formation stage 60%
Vegetables	900-1200	750-900	600-750	Base fertilizer 30%, growth period divided into 3-4 top dressings
Fruit Trees	750-900	600-750	450-600	Pre-flowering 30%, young fruit stage 40%, fruit enlargement stage 30%

Application Depth and Position Guidelines:
- Base Fertilizer: Generally 10-15cm soil layer, sandy soil 5-10cm, clay soil 15-20cm
- Hole Application: 5-10cm from seed or plant, depth 8-12cm
- Band application: width 5-8cm, depth 8-15cm, distance from crop row 8-15cm

3.3 New Fertilization Technologies and Precision Fertilization

Advanced fertilization methods in modern agriculture

Fertigation Technology:
1. Drip irrigation system fertilizer utilization rate can reach 70-90%, 20-30 percentage points higher than traditional fertilization
2. Water-soluble compound fertilizer dissolution rate > 99.5%, EC value controlled at 1.0-2.0mS/cm
3. Nutrient concentration gradient changes: Growth period 0.5-1.0g/L, fruiting period 1.0-1.5g/L
Side-deep Fertilization Technology:
1. Suitable for crops with row spacing >40cm, fertilizer band 10-15cm from crops
2. Enhancement effect: Nitrogen utilization rate improved by 8-15 percentage points, reduced surface runoff losses
Seed-Fertilizer Simultaneous Application Technology:
1. Fertilizer-speed distance controlled at 3-5cm, preventing high-concentration fertilizer damage to seeds
2. Integrated seeding and fertilization can improve operation efficiency by 30-50%, reduce labor intensity

Variable-Rate Fertilization Technology:

Based on soil nutrient maps and yield targets, achieving precise variable-rate fertilization
GPS positioning accuracy
Field trials demonstrate fertilizer savings of 10-20% and nutrient loss reduction of 15-25%

High Quality Compound Fertilizer NPK 12-12-17+2MGO

US$ 420 /MT

MOQ: 1MT

Product Model: NPK-09

Supplier Profile

Ningbo Feidoodoo E-Commerce Co., Ltd

Established: October 10, 2019

Company Size: 500

Get Best Price

4.Market Status and Development Trends

4.1 Global Market size and Regional Distribution

Regional Characteristics:
- Europe: Dominated by high-concentration, specialized products, environmentally friendly compound fertilizers accounting for >35%
- North America: Mainly BB fertilizers, developed customized services, widespread application of precision fertilization technology
- Asia-Pacific: Largest production and sales volume, multiple technologies coexist, high price sensitivity
- Latin America: Mainly large farm applications, aerial fertilization accounts for up to 30%
- Africa: Mainly low-concentration products, great market growth potential

4.2 Product Structure Change Trends

NPK Compound fertilizer product structure is undergoing significant changes

Nutrient Concentration Changes:
1. Global NPK compound fertilizer average total nutrient content: 36% in 2000, 41% in 2010, 45% in 2020, with a clear upward trend
2. High-concentration products (total nutrients > 50%) market share has increased from 12% in 2010 to 23% in 2022
Functional Product Proportion:
1. Controlled/slow-release compound fertilizer proportion: 6% in 2010, 14% in 2022, expected to reach 22% by 2030
2. Water-soluble compound fertilizer proportion: 4% in 2010, 10% in 2022, expected to reach 18% by 2030
3. Compound fertilizer containing micronutrients proportion: 15% in 2010, 28% in 2022, expected to reach 35% by 2030
Formula Diversification:
1. Specialized fertilizer proportion increase: From 20% in 2000 to 42% in 2022
2. Number of differentiated formulations: average formula number of major enterprises increased from 12 in 2000 to 35 in 2022.

5.Upstream and Downstream Industry Chain Analysis

5.1 Upstream Raw Material Industry

5.1a Basic Raw Material Supply Status:

Natural Gas:
- Global NPK production consumes approximately 110 million tons oil equivalent/year of natural gas, accounting for 8-10% of industrial gas usage
Phosphate Rock:
- Global exploitable reserves approximately 70 billion tons, current extraction 240 million tons/year, Morocco accounts for 70% of reserves
Potash Salt:
- Global exploitable reserves approximately 17 billion tons K₂O, annual production about 45 million tons, Canada, Russia, and Belarus control 80% of capacity

5.1b Raw Material Price Fluctuation Impact

Natural gas price increase of 10% leads to nitrogen fertilizer cost increase of 6-8%
Phosphate rock price increase of 10% leads to phosphate fertilizer cost increase of 4-6%
Potash salt price increase of 10% leads to potash fertilizer cost increase of 7-9%

5.1c Raw Material Innovation and Substitution:

Green ammonia technology: Using renewable energy for water electrolysis to produce hydrogen, then synthesizing ammonia, reducing carbon emissions by > 90%
Low-grade phosphate rock utilization: New processes can utilize low-grade phosphate rock with P₂O₅ content
Biological potassium solubilization technology: Enhancing the effectiveness of insoluble potassium in soil through microorganisms, reducing dependence on potash fertilizer.

5.2 Midstream Production and Processing

5.2a Production Technology Comparison:

Technology Route	Global Share	Investment Cost (Million $/100,000 tons)	Energy Consumption (kWh/ton)	Water Consumption (ton/ton)	Product Nutrient Content
Tower Granulation	40%	45-60	40-60	0.1-0.3	40-52%
Drum Granulation	25%	28-38	50-70	0.2-0.4	35-45%
Disc Granulation	15%	25-35	55-75	0.3-0.5	35-45%
BB Fertilizer Mixing	20%	8-15	10月20日		35-60%

5.2b Production Process Efficiency Indicators

Raw material utilization rate: tower method 98.5%, drum method 96-97%, disc granulation 95-96%
Energy efficiency: Tower method thermal energy utilization rate 70-75%, drum method 60-65%, disc granulation 55-60%
Labor productivity: highly automated factories 0.2-0.3 persons/thousand tons capacity, semi-automated 0.5-0.8 persons/thousand tons capacity

5.2c Global Capacity Distribution and Utilization Rate

Global NPK compound fertilizer total capacity approximately 250 million tons, capacity utilization rate 72%
Main capacity distribution: Asia-Pacific 46%, Europe 23%, North America 16%, others 15%
Regional differences in capacity utilization rate: North America 82%, Europe 79%, Asia-Pacific 69%, Latin America 65%

5.3 Downstream Application Market

5.3a Agricultural Application Field Proportion:

Field crops: 55-60%, mainly used for food production
Economic crops: 18-22%, including cotton, sugarcane, oil crops
Fruit and vegetable cultivation: 12-15%, high-value horticultural crops
Turf and ornamental plants: 5-8%, including golf courses, urban greening
Other fields:3-5%, including forestry, aquaculture

5.3b Application Method Development Trends

Precision fertilization technology application proportion: 10% in 2010, 32% in 2022, expected to reach 50% by 2030
Fertigation penetration rate: facility agriculture increased from 15% in 2010 to 48% in 2022
Mechanized fertilization proportion: developed countries > 95%, developing countries increased from 30% in 2010 to 55% in 2022

5.3c End User Structure

Large farms (>100 hectares): Consumption proportion 38%, high cost sensitivity, emphasis on product stability
Medium farms (10-100 hectares): Consumption proportion 32%, focus on product cost-effectiveness
Small farms (: Consumption proportion 22%, high requirements for packaging specifications and usage convenience
Specialty cultivation: Consumption proportion 8%, high requirements for product functionality and professionalism

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