A project that aims to provide UK farmers and growers with a sustainable, environmentally friendly nutrient management solution is underway following a partnership between industry experts.
The project, called Biofilm Biofertiliser, will develop a novel multi-species biofilm-based biofertilizer product that reduces the use of synthetic fertilizers by 40 to 50 percent.
Following funding from Innovate UK, the project is being led by a consortium of partners including Bionema Group, CPI, and the UK Agri-Tech Centre.
As part of this project, three UK farmers and growers in agriculture and horticulture will be provided with a nutrient management solution which offers a low-cost alternative to synthetic fertilizers, improved soil and plant health, increased crop yields by 20 to 30 percent, and a reduced nutrient run-off. The biofilm-based biofertilizer will be produced and manufactured in the UK. Formulation types include water-dispersible granules (WDG) and encapsulated options, which aim to improve nutrient availability, enhance soil health and foster a stable biofilm with a targeted minimum shelf life of up to 24 months.
Later in the project the partners will look at testing formulation sprayability – with the aim of evaluating spray characteristics, droplet size and droplet deposition on leaves from formulations received earlier in the project.
Three-year field trials will assess product performance on wheat, potatoes, strawberries, and ornamentals across multiple UK farms. The results are expected to provide a blueprint for international adoption across diverse soil and crop types.
The project aligns with UK and EU regulatory commitments to reduce synthetic fertilizers by 20 percentby 2030. ●
Paine Schwartz Partners-backed HGS BioScience, a producer of extracted humates in both granule and liquid form, has acquired Earthgreen Products, Inc. and Menefee Mining Corporation.
HGS BioScience notes it can now “elevate the quality and performance” of its humic and fulvic acid lineup, “providing growers with a broad range of products in multiple formulations to improve soil health.”
“Humates mined from New Mexico’s Menefee Formation are known to be among the world’s highest quality natural humate deposits,” said HGS BioScience CEO Mike Steffeck. “Freshwater humates from this mine and its reserve typically generate higher levels of biological activity and they consistently test high in humic and fulvic acids. We’re excited to incorporate these products into the HGS BioScience lineup to enhance growers’ soils to promote plant growth and productivity.”
In addition, new extraction and formulation technology from Earthgreen allows the company to offer “premium products with excellent performance.”
HGS BioScience’s portfolio is led by HumiK ONE, a granule that contains the power of a humic liquid in granule form. HumiK ONE can be combined with nutrients, biologicals and biostimulants to deliver humic acid and biostimulants to the acre. It also now includes an expanded line of products with low-use rates, mixability with all dry fertilizers, dry formulations that can be blended into liquid products, and a full line of humic and fulvic acid-based liquid products.
Tyler Lown Vandenburg, president of Menefee Mining Corporation, will join the HGS executive team to help lead the continued transformation of the HGS business. Brett Lown, Earthgreen head of sales, will join the HGS commercial team to help lead strategic accounts.
HGS BioScience adds the Menefee Mine and Cuba, New Mexico processing plants to its current footprint of six manufacturing plants and a research and development center, all located in North America. ●
Wastech Group and Pursell Agri-Tech plan to establish a coating facility in Malaysia for the production of advanced controlled release fertilizers (CRFs).
Pursell Agri-Tech is a well-established coating technology innovator based in Sylacauga, Alabama, U.S.
“This partnership will combine Wastech’s expertise in agricultural solutions with Pursell’s cutting-edge technology to create a sustainable fertilizer that will revolutionize farming practices across Malaysia and the Southeast Asia region,” said a statement by Pursell Agri-Tech.
“This partnership with Pursell marks a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia,” said Nicholas Hii, executive director of Wastech Group, a Malaysian company founded in 1984 with a focus on specialty fertilizer and irrigation systems. “By integrating Pursell’s cutting-edge coating technology with Wastech’s deep expertise in the region, we are well-positioned to deliver high-performance, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible fertilizer solutions that meet the needs of our plantation and agricultural customers.
“We are committed to hiring local talent and creating jobs in the region, contributing to the overall development of Malaysia’s agriculture industry,” added Hii. “This joint venture will also open doors to export opportunities within the Southeast Asia nations, further strengthening Malaysia’s position in the global agricultural market.”
“Partnering with Wastech to build a plant in Malaysia is ideal. It’s located near key substrate and material suppliers and creates opportunities to address the diverse nutrition needs of customers in the region in a predictable, prescriptive and profitable way,” said Tim Ferguson, Pursell CEO.
Pursell Agri-Tech said that the facility will serve markets across Southeast Asia, as well as Australia, New Zealand, South Korea,and Japan. ●
From left to right: Tim Ferguson, Pursell CEO; Joe Brady, Pursell CFO; Simon Hii, Wastech Group Managing Director;Nicholas Hii, Wastech Group Executive Director; Allen Sanders, Pursell COO; Mark Kwek,Huntsman Singapore, APAC Consumer Goods & Textile Marketing Manager; Benedikt Berberich,Eirich Machines Director of Operations.
