Polymer-Coated Urea Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Crop Type (Grains And Cereals, Pulses And Oilseeds, Commercial Crops, Fruits And Vegetables, Turf And Ornamentals), By Type (Biodegradable, Non-biodegradable), By Application (Agriculture, Golf Courses, Lawn And Turf, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2024 To 2029

The polymer-coated urea market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.11% to reach US$2.812 billion by 2029 from US$1.856 billion in 2022.

Polymer-coated urea (PC) is an N fertilizer that when added to the soil, uses temperature-controlled diffusion regulates N release matches plant demand, and mitigates environmental losses. This is the newest and technically sophisticated technology that is used in horticultural plant production and consists of soluble nutrients by polymer coating. The increasing demand for urea agriculture will improve the production of crops. Such increasing uses of urea are anticipated to drive the market for polymer-coated urea in the projected period.

Furthermore, polymer-coated urea (PCU) provides a controlled-release method that corresponds with the nutritional requirements of cereals and grains, which are major food crops worldwide. With the use of this method, nutritional losses from leaching and volatilization—two frequent problems in the production of cereals and grains—are reduced. Higher yields are the outcome of better crop performance, less of an adverse effect on the environment, and more effective fertilizer usage.

Market Drivers:

• The growing prominence of specialty fertilizers in the agriculture sector is anticipated to propel the polymer-coated urea market.

The increasing growth of the population and the rising awareness towards the requirement of specific fertilizers for different crops and increasing awareness among farmers in case of which product to use for the optimal plant produce is driving the market for polymer-coated urea. Direct application of urea can be harmful to some plants such as soybean hence, the polymer-coated urea proves to be very beneficial in such application, and the demand for the same is anticipated to increase due to such reasons.

Furthermore, the urea subsidy scheme is also expected to help in growing the market growth. For instance, according to the Government of India, CCEA approved the continuation of the urea subsidy scheme that will committee for India rupees 3,68,676.7 subsidy for urea for 3 years from 2022-23 to 2024-25. Hence, with the subsidies in urea, there is expected to be increased production for polymer-based urea in the coming years.

According to the Government of India, the production of indigenous urea is increasing in the country, In 2014-15 it was 225 LMT, which increased to 250 LMT in 2021-22 and now has reached 284 LMT in 2023. Hence, with the increasing production of urea, there is anticipated to be a boosted production of polymer-based urea as it is an evolved version that is helping the plants to take all the possible advantages of urea. Therefore, the market for polymer-based urea is expected to grow significantly in the projected period.

USA is predicted to witness steady growth in the marketplace. 

Polymer-coated urea is a urea-encapsulated granule that when added to moist soil regulates Nitrogen release in plants via temperature-controlled diffusion. Such fertilizers hold great potential for crop production, especially tomato, and also, they are also finding applicability in professional turfs and garden lawns. The booming demand for processed tomatoes in the USA has bolstered the overall production output which is anticipated to drive the usage of polymer-coated urea in the country. For instance, according to the USDA’s “Vegetable and Pulses Outlook” report issued in April 2023, tomato production in the country stood at 2,156 million pounds showing a 1% increase over 2021’s production figure.

Additionally, the US golf industry is growing owing to the growing number of golf participants both on & off the course. For instance, according to the National Golf Foundation, in 2022, 41.1 million Americans aged 6 years above played whereas the strength of people aged between 18 to 34 years reached 6.2 million for on-course, and 5.8 million for off-source. Such growing participation has bolstered the demand for more golf courses in the United States which is expected to drive the demand and usage of polymer-coated urea in such applications.

Company Products:

• Polyon® Urea- Polyon® urea is a product of Baileys Fertiliser. Polymer Coated Urea (PCU) is a fertilizer coating technology that regulates nitrogen release to meet the long-term feeding needs of turfgrass and ornamentals. The analysis indicates 100% controlled nitrogen release while the application rate for turf response is expected to be 12-16 weeks, with all nitrogen released during this time, leaving no unreleased portions.
• Polymer-Coated Urea (PCU90)- Dickie Direct Fertilizer’s Polymer-Coated Urea (PCU90)is a biodegradable urea granule that prolongs the nitrogen release period, reducing volatilization and leaching losses. It is ideal for situations requiring prolonged nitrogen response and where multiple nitrogen applications are expensive or impractical. PCU90 offers increased nitrogen utilization, reduced nitrogen loss through volatilization, reduced nitrogen loss through runoff and leaching, and an extended nitrogen response over a 90-day period, eliminating the need for frequent nitrogen applications and side dressings.
• Lebanon Pro 18-0-3 40% PCU 2% Fe Biosolids- Product by Lebanonturf, Lebanon Pro 18-0-3 40% PCU 2% Fe Biosolids is an economical fertilizer product designed for residential, commercial, and general turf use. It features 40% PCU (polymer-coated urea) for controlled nitrogen release, mineral fertilizer with immediate plant nutrients, potash muriate for strong cell growth and disease resistance, and 2% Fe for quick greening. This product is ideal for residential, commercial, and general turf use.
• Polymer Coated Urea SMARTGRO® 43-0-0+TE- SMARTGRO® 43-0-0+TE by Smart Fert Sdn Bhd. is a smart-release nitrogen fertilizer that provides a safe and efficient source of nitrogen for plants. It offers a sustained nitrogen supply, reduces plant scorching, and is safe to apply with seeds. It is environmentally friendly, reducing nitrogen loss through leaching, volatilization, and denitrification. The biodegradable polymer coating reduces dosage for optimal results. The single-application method saves labor and transportation costs.

Key Developments:

• September 2023- Sollio Agriculture inaugurated a new controlled-release fertilizer production plant, CRF Agritech, in St. Thomas, Ontario. Launched in 2021, the plant is the only one in Canada capable of manufacturing controlled-release custom fertilizer formulations using Pursell's unique coating technology. With a $25 million investment, the 25,800 square-foot manufacturing facility produces PurYield and other next-generation controlled-release fertilizers for farmers in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States. The factory can generate over 100,000 tons of fertilizer a year when it is operating at full capacity.
• September 2022- The federal government approved polymer-coated urea for reimbursement from the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) for its enhanced efficiency fertilizer products.

Market Segmentation:

The polymer-coated urea market is segmented and analyzed as below:

• By Crop Type
  • Grains and Cereals
  • Pusles and Oilseeds
  • Commerical Crops
  • Fruits and Vegetables
  • Turf and Ornamentals
• By Type
  • Biodegradable
  • Non-Biodegradable
• By Application 
  • Agriculture
  • Golf-Courses
  • Lawn and Turf
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
    • France
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Thailand
    • Indonesia
    • Others