Generally speaking ,most calcium ammonium nitrate is used as a chemical fertilizer. Fertilizer grade CAN contains roughly 8% calcium and 21-27% nitrogen. CAN is preferred for use on acid soils, as it acidifies soil less than many common nitrogen fertilizersIt is also used in place of ammonium nitrate where ammonium nitrate is banned.
Calcium ammonium nitrate is used in some instant cold packs as an alternative to ammonium nitrate.
Calcium ammonium nitrate has seen increasing use in improvised explosives. CAN and other chemical fertilizers were banned in the Malakand Division and in Afghanistan following reports of its use by militants to make explosives.
