Ammonium Nitrate
Uses, Dual-Use Risk, and Import Dependence
Ammonium nitrate (AN) is produced from ammonia (derived from nitrogen fixation) and nitric acid. It has two primary uses: as a high-nitrogen fertilizer in agriculture (providing 34% nitrogen), and as Technical Ammonium Nitrate (TAN) used in ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil) — the dominant explosive in mining, quarrying, and construction. India's total domestic production capacity is approximately 1.05 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA), far short of industrial demand. Import reliance — particularly from Russia — has raised supply security and strategic concerns.
- Nitrogen content: ~34% (makes it one of the most efficient nitrogen fertilizers)
- Industrial use: ANFO explosives critical for coal, iron ore, and limestone mining
- India's current domestic production capacity: ~1.05 million MTPA (insufficient for demand)
- Key importing concern: heavy dependence on Russian exports has raised security and supply chain vulnerability issues
- Regulatory concern: dual-use nature requires strict regulation under the Explosives Act, 1884 and Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012
● Tracked since April 22, 2026 · last seen June 20, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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