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What is calcium nitrate used for? Every major use, explained with sources

Last updated: 7 October 2026  ·  Reviewed by Sujay Shrivastava - Digital Transformation Consultant
In summary

Calcium nitrate, Ca(NO3)2, is used mainly as a water-soluble fertilizer that supplies calcium and nitrate-nitrogen (typically 15.5-0-0 plus about 19% calcium),[27] for soil, drip fertigation, hydroponics and foliar sprays against calcium-deficiency disorders such as bitter pit and blossom-end rot.[3][6][8] Its industrial uses include a set accelerator and corrosion-related admixture in concrete,[15][16] sulfide and odour control in sewers and oilfield waters,[17][18][19] a latex coagulant in glove dipping,[9][10] a minor component of molten-salt heat-storage fluids,[11] and niche roles in deicing, lake-sediment treatment and heat-storage materials.[14][20][22] It is also a regulated oxidising solid, so storage and handling rules apply.[2]

Key facts at a glance

ItemValue / answer
Chemical formulaCa(NO3)2; commonly sold as the tetrahydrate or as a calcium-ammonium-nitrate double salt[1][27]
Fertilizer grade15.5-0-0 with about 19% Ca[27]
Solubility in water121.2 g per 100 mL (anhydrous), very high[2]
Melting point (anhydrous)560 °C[2]
Transport classificationUN 1454, class 5.1 oxidiser, packing group III[2]
Largest useFertilizer and fertigation[3][27]
Concrete useSet-accelerating admixture[15]
Sewer sulfide controlNitrate dosing to prevent hydrogen sulfide formation[17][18]
Latex coagulant example250–300 g/L calcium nitrate in a first glove-former dip (patent example)[10]
Molten-salt exampleCa–Na–K nitrate mixture melts at about 133 °C[11]
Ingestion hazardNitrate can cause methaemoglobinaemia[2][26]
ManufactureLimestone or lime treated with nitric acid, or as a nitrophosphate by-product[24][25]

What is calcium nitrate used for? The short list

Use cases fall into five groups. Each row links to a dedicated guide with the dosing, procedure, evidence and limits for that use.

UseWhat calcium nitrate doesEvidence levelFull guide
Fertilizer and drip fertigationSupplies soluble calcium and nitrate-nitrogen; must be kept apart from sulfates and phosphates in concentrated stock[3]Mainstream, widely documentedDrip irrigation
Hydroponics and greenhousesStandard calcium and nitrate source in nutrient recipes[4][5]MainstreamHydroponics
Bitter pit, cork spot, blossom-end rotFoliar sprays and soil calcium to reduce calcium-deficiency disorders[6][7][8]Widely used; field results varyCalcium disorders
Concrete set accelerationChloride-free accelerating admixture, including cold-weather work[15]Established, research-backedConcrete accelerator
Rebar corrosion inhibitionReported to inhibit steel corrosion in concrete at higher doses; evidence is mixed[16]MixedCorrosion inhibitor
Sewer H2S and odour controlNitrate dosing stops sulfide forming in force mains and lift stations[17][18]Established in water industryWastewater H₂S
Oilfield souring controlNitrate injection shifts reservoir microbes away from sulfide production[19]Established, site-specificOilfield souring
Latex coagulant for glovesCalcium ions coagulate latex onto the former in coagulant dipping[9][10]Established in glove manufactureLatex coagulant
Molten-salt heat storageLowers melting point of nitrate salt blends for solar thermal storage[11][12]Research and pilot stageMolten salt
DeicingStudied as a granular, low-corrosion deicer; far less common than chlorides[13][14]NicheDeicing
Lake sediment treatmentNitrate oxidises sediment organic matter and can limit phosphorus release[20][21]Limited case studiesLake sediment
Cold packs and heat storageTetrahydrate studied as a phase-change material and for endothermic dissolution[22][23]NicheCold packs and heat storage

Which uses are mainstream and which are niche?

Mainstream, high volume: agriculture (soil, fertigation, hydroponics, foliar sprays), where the combination of soluble calcium and nitrate nitrogen is the reason to choose it over other nitrogen sources.[3][27] Established industrial: concrete admixtures,[15] sewer sulfide control,[17][18] oilfield souring control[19] and latex coagulation.[10] Niche or developing: molten-salt blends,[11] deicing,[14] lake-sediment treatment[20] and phase-change heat storage.[22] Be sceptical of any supplier page that presents niche uses as routine; the dedicated guides above state the evidence and limits for each.

How is calcium nitrate made, and what forms exist?

Industrially it is made by reacting limestone or lime with nitric acid, or recovered as a by-product of the nitrophosphate (Odda) process, then evaporated and finished as granules, prills, flakes or powder.[24][25] It is sold as the tetrahydrate, as anhydrous material, or as a calcium-ammonium-nitrate double salt (the form behind many “CAN” style products).[27] Form matters: fertigation wants fully soluble powder, concrete and latex users want controlled impurities, and heat-storage work wants low-water material. See how calcium nitrate is made and powder vs granular.

Is calcium nitrate dangerous?

It is an oxidising solid (UN 1454, class 5.1, packing group III) that strengthens fires and must be kept apart from combustible and reducing materials; ingestion can cause methaemoglobinaemia.[2][26] It is not the same substance as ammonium nitrate. Storage, spill and transport rules are covered in safety, handling and storage. HRSU gives no information on explosive use; any such use is regulated and outside this guide.

Calcium nitrate vs the alternatives people compare it with

Buying calcium nitrate

See price in India and bulk export from India for pricing basis, packaging, documents and shipping.

When calcium nitrate is NOT the right choice

What HRSU supplies — and what it does not

HRSU Indore manufactures and exports fertilizer-grade calcium nitrate powder: 18.5–19% calcium, 15.5% minimum nitrogen, 100% water-soluble with 0% insoluble residue, in 25 kg and 50 kg bags with a batch Certificate of Analysis, to 30+ countries. That suits agriculture and hydroponics directly. For industrial uses (concrete, wastewater, latex, heat storage, deicing) HRSU does not claim certification for any specific industrial specification; send your limits for chloride, heavy metals, insolubles and moisture, request the TDS and a sample, and validate it in your own trial.

Tell us your use case, get a sample

100% water-soluble · 0% insoluble residue · 25 kg & 50 kg bags · bulk/export available.

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Frequently asked questions

What is calcium nitrate used for?

Mainly as a soluble calcium and nitrate-nitrogen fertilizer for soil, fertigation, hydroponics and foliar sprays. Industrial uses include concrete admixtures, sewer and oilfield sulfide control, latex coagulation in glove dipping, and minor roles in molten-salt storage, deicing and sediment treatment.[3][15][17][19][10][11][27]

What is the main use of calcium nitrate?

Agriculture. It supplies calcium and nitrate-nitrogen together in a fully water-soluble form; the common fertilizer grade is 15.5-0-0 with about 19% calcium.[27][3]

Is calcium nitrate used in concrete?

Yes, as a chloride-free set-accelerating admixture, and it has been studied as a steel-corrosion inhibitor, with mixed results at lower doses.[15][16]

Is calcium nitrate used for odour control in sewage?

Yes. Nitrate dosing in force mains and lift stations prevents sulfide formation, which reduces hydrogen sulfide odour and corrosion.[17][18]

How is calcium nitrate used in rubber gloves?

As the coagulant in coagulant dipping: a former is dipped in a calcium nitrate solution (patent examples cite 250–300 g/L), dried, then dipped in latex so the latex coagulates onto it.[9][10]

Is calcium nitrate used in deicing?

It has been studied as a granular, low-corrosion deicer, but it is niche compared with sodium, calcium and magnesium chloride, acetates and formates.[13][14]

Is calcium nitrate the same as ammonium nitrate or CAN?

No. Calcium nitrate is Ca(NO3)2. Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is a different, double-salt product that contains ammonium nitrogen, and ammonium nitrate is a separately regulated oxidiser.[27][2]

Is calcium nitrate dangerous or explosive?

It is an oxidising solid (UN 1454, class 5.1) that intensifies fires, so it must be stored away from combustibles. Ingestion can cause methaemoglobinaemia. See the safety guide for handling rules.[2][26]

Which calcium nitrate grade should I buy?

Fertigation and hydroponics need fully water-soluble powder; industrial users should define limits for impurities and moisture in writing and trial a sample first. HRSU supplies fertilizer-grade powder with a batch COA.

Related guides

References

  1. Calcium nitrate (PubChem compound summary) — U.S. National Library of Medicine / NCBI. Government database
  2. ICSC 1037: Calcium nitrate (International Chemical Safety Card) — IPCS INCHEM (WHO / ILO). Intergovernmental body
  3. Key Fertigation Information for Tomato Production (HS1392) — UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida. University extension
  4. Hydroponics Systems: Using the Two Basic Equations to Calculate a Nutrient Solution Recipe — Penn State Extension. University extension
  5. A Recipe for Hydroponic Success (Mattson and Peters) — Cornell University, Department of Horticulture (greenhouse extension). University extension
  6. Foliar Calcium Sprays for Apples, Fact Sheet F-119R (Autio and Bramlage) — University of Massachusetts Extension, hosted by University of Vermont. Extension fact sheet
  7. Bitter pit and cork spot (Wisconsin Horticulture) — University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension. Extension
  8. Blossom end rot of tomato fruit, BP-13-W (Latin) — Purdue University Cooperative Extension. Extension
  9. The coagulant dipping process of nitrile latex: investigations of former motion effects and coagulant loss into the dipping compound (Groves et al.) — Soft Matter, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2023. Peer-reviewed
  10. US 8,192,834 B2 — Production of gloves and other articles of flexible polymer material (Ansell Healthcare Products) — U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, via Google Patents. Patent
  11. Molten nitrate salt development for thermal energy storage in parabolic trough solar power systems (Bradshaw et al., ASME Energy Sustainability 2008) — Sandia National Laboratories via U.S. DOE OSTI. Government lab paper
  12. Power tower system: concentrating solar-thermal power basics — U.S. Department of Energy. Government
  13. Manual of Practice for an Effective Anti-icing Program (FHWA-RD-95-202), chapter on anti-icing chemicals and eutectics — U.S. Federal Highway Administration. Government
  14. New Deicing Calcium Nitrate-Based Agent (Danilov et al.), Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering 53(5), 832-836, 2019, DOI 10.1134/S0040579519050063 — Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences / Springer. Peer-reviewed
  15. The effect of calcium nitrate on the properties of Portland cement pastes and concrete hardening at low temperatures (Kicaite, Skripkinas, Pundiene) — Ceramics-Silikaty 64(3), 263-270, 2020. Peer-reviewed
  16. Corrosion inhibitors for reinforced concrete (H. Justnes), ACI SP-234 — American Concrete Institute, 2006. Standards-body symposium paper
  17. Odor and corrosion control in sanitary sewerage systems and treatment plants: design manual (EPA/625/1-85/018) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1985 (NEPIS). Government design manual
  18. Sulfur transformation in rising main sewers receiving nitrate dosage (Jiang, Sharma, Guisasola, Keller, Yuan) — Water Research 43(17):4430-4440, 2009 (PubMed record). Peer-reviewed
  19. The effectiveness of nitrate-mediated control of the oil field sulfur cycle depends on the toluene content of the oil (Suri, Voordouw & Voordouw) — Frontiers in Microbiology, 2017. Peer-reviewed
  20. A literature review and feasibility analysis assessing microbial decomposition as a technique for restoring Lake Apopka (Gremillion & Mericas; SJ 88-SP11) — St. Johns River Water Management District, Florida, 1988. Government report
  21. Suppression of phosphorus release from lake sediments by the addition of nitrate (Foy, 1986) — Water Research, Elsevier. Peer-reviewed
  22. US 6,083,418 A: Density stabilized phase change material (Modine Manufacturing Co) — U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, via Google Patents. Patent
  23. Comprehensive analysis of thermodynamic properties of calcium nitrate (Sergeev et al.) — Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics 134, 2019; NIST Thermodynamics Research Center ThermoML. NIST data record
  24. Reference Document on Best Available Techniques for the Manufacture of Large Volume Inorganic Chemicals: Ammonia, Acids and Fertilisers (LVIC-AAF BREF, 2007) — European Commission, Joint Research Centre (IPTS / EIPPCB). EU regulator BAT document
  25. US 6,610,267 B1 — Method for manufacturing a calcium nitrate melt and product thereof — U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, via Google Patents. Patent
  26. Nitrate and nitrite in drinking-water (chemical fact sheet, Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality) — World Health Organization. Intergovernmental body
  27. Calcium nitrate — Wikipedia. Encyclopedia
Reviewed by Sujay Shrivastava - Digital Transformation Consultant, HRSU Indore Pvt. Ltd. HRSU Indore manufactures and exports water-soluble calcium nitrate to 30+ countries.