United States (USA) Nitrogen Market Overview, 2029

Nitrogen use in the United States has a long history, stretching back to the early twentieth century and the widespread use of synthetic fertilisers. Since then, nitrogen has grown essential in a variety of industries, including food processing, electronics, and manufacturing operations. The introduction of synthetic fertilisers transformed agriculture by increasing crop yields, considerably contributing to food security. Nitrogen's applications have evolved beyond agriculture to include a wide range of industrial industries, demonstrating its versatility and importance in modern civilization. In terms of culture and trends, the US nitrogen industry is experiencing a significant transition toward efficiency and sustainability. This transition is reflected by a growing preference for controlled-release fertilisers that reduce environmental impact while increasing crop yields. Furthermore, the growing popularity of organic farming has generated a niche market for non-synthetic nitrogen sources like compost. These trends reflect shifting consumer preferences and a greater emphasis on ecologically friendly agriculture practices. Established brands currently dominate the US nitrogen market, owing to their significant experience and resources. However, new players are entering the market, concentrating on innovative nitrogen delivery technologies and long-term solutions. These entrants bring new insights and solutions to address environmental concerns, maximise resource utilisation, and satisfy changing market demands. Their presence adds dynamism to the sector, encouraging competition and driving innovation throughout the nitrogen value chain.

According to the research report “United States Nitrogen Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the United States Nitrogen market is expected to grow with more than 7% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. Food demand, fueled by population growth, is driving the US nitrogen market. However, its expansion is accompanied by various problems. Fluctuating natural gas prices present a substantial difficulty because natural gas is a critical feedstock for nitrogen synthesis. Price volatility can have a direct impact on production costs, making nitrogen-based goods more affordable and accessible. Furthermore, environmental concerns are significant, particularly nitrogen runoff from fertilisers, which can contaminate waterways and destroy ecosystems. As a result, there is increasing demand to develop and adopt sustainable nitrogen management strategies to offset these negative environmental effects. In terms of policy and regulations, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for monitoring nitrogen emissions from a variety of sources, including agriculture. These rules have a significant impact on fertiliser application practices and encourage the development of new nitrogen technologies that are consistent with sustainability goals. Thus, policy interventions play a critical role in guiding the trajectory of the US nitrogen market toward better sustainability and environmental stewardship.

In terms of products, compressed gas involves reducing its volume while maintaining a constant temperature or allowing it to change, achieved typically by applying pressure to the gas. This process enhances gas density, facilitating various industrial, scientific, and practical applications such as refrigeration, air conditioning, power generation, and gas storage. On the other hand, liquid nitrogen, a cryogenic liquid with a boiling point of -196 degrees Celsius (-321 degrees Fahrenheit) at atmospheric pressure, consists of diatomic nitrogen molecules (N2) and is produced through the cooling and condensing of nitrogen gas. Regarding applications, the commercial sector pertains to activities related to commerce or business, encompassing transactions aimed at generating profit, including buying, selling, advertising, and marketing goods and services. It involves interactions between businesses or between businesses and consumers. In contrast, the industrial domain encompasses processes, activities, or systems associated with large-scale production of goods across various sectors such as manufacturing, construction, energy production, and transportation. Utilising machinery, technology, and specialised labour, industrial processes transform raw materials or components into finished products for consumption or distribution. Lastly, the end-user industries for these products and applications include food and beverage, oil and gas/petrochemical, metal manufacturing and fabrication, electronics, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, and chemicals. Each industry employs compressed gas and liquid nitrogen for diverse purposes, ranging from food preservation and oil refining to metal fabrication and pharmaceutical manufacturing, showcasing the versatility and widespread utility of these products across multiple sectors.

The rising emphasis on biofuels has created new options for exploiting nitrogen in biomass production. As the demand for renewable energy sources grows, biofuels present a great opportunity, necessitating optimal nitrogen management in biomass cultivation. The biennial American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) International Meeting is an important arena for demonstrating advances in nitrogen-related technologies and fostering industrial collaboration. These events promote knowledge exchange, networking, and the presentation of novel solutions, ultimately pushing the evolution of nitrogen utilisation in agriculture and industry. The US nitrogen market is segmented by product type (ammonia, urea, and others) and application area (fertilisers and industrial uses). Prices in this market fluctuate due to factors such as supply-demand dynamics and natural gas costs. Although exact pricing data is sometimes classified as commercially secret information, industry reports indicate that bulk nitrogen prices remained about USD 755/MT FOB Illinois in the third quarter of 2022. This pricing structure illustrates the complex interaction of market forces and highlights the need of knowing pricing mechanisms in the nitrogen sector in order to make informed business decisions.

The geopolitical tensions surrounding the Ukraine war have exacerbated worldwide food shortages, resulting in an increase in fertiliser demand and, consequently, nitrogen costs in the United States. This ongoing scenario demonstrates the interdependence of geopolitical events and agricultural markets, emphasising the significance of stability for global food security. Additionally, there is an increasing emphasis on developing green ammonia production systems that use renewable energy sources. This transition toward sustainability is consistent with broader trends in the nitrogen sector, where stakeholders are increasingly adopting eco-friendly practices and technology to reduce environmental consequences and ensure a sustainable future. Natural gas is the primary raw material used in nitrogen manufacture, and it acts as the foundation for the manufacturing process. Notably, the United States has extensive natural gas reserves, which ensure a continuous and reliable supply for nitrogen production processes. The country's abundant natural gas resources are critical to the stability and durability of the nitrogen sector. With a consistent supply of natural gas, nitrogen manufacturers in the United States can maintain efficient production processes, which contributes to the market's overall strength.



When comparing the nitrogen market in the United States to regions such as China and India, clear discrepancies appear. The US nitrogen market is notable for its maturity and emphasis on sustainable practices throughout the manufacturing and delivery chains. In contrast, developing economies such as China and India have stronger growth potential due to rising agricultural sectors. Regardless of their growth rates, these locations may encounter sustainability and environmental issues. Thus, while the US market stresses sustainability and stability, emerging economies favour growth and expansion, although with possible environmental consequences. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted and challenged the worldwide nitrogen industry, notably supply chain logistics and transportation. However, the long-term impact on the market appears to be minor, with signs of gradual recovery evident over time. Despite initial difficulties, the nitrogen industry has exhibited resilience and adaptability, handling the pandemic's obstacles while preparing itself for future growth and stability.

Considered in this report
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report
• Nitrogen market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product
• Compressed Gas
• Liquid Nitrogen

By Application
• Commercial
• Industrial

By End User
• Food & Beverage
• Oil & Gas/Petrochemical
• Metal Manufacturing & Fabrication
• Electronics
• Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
• Chemicals

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Nitrogen industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.