Phospholutions inks deal with Toros Agri for commercial RhizoSorb production

Phospholutions Inc., a U.S.-based company specializing in sustainable fertilizer solutions, has announced a partnership with Toros Agri, a prominent European fertilizer manufacturer, to commence large-scale production of its RhizoSorb technology. This collaboration marks a crucial step in the commercialization of RhizoSorb, which is being positioned as a next-generation phosphorus fertilizer designed to reduce environmental impact and production costs.

The partnership follows Phospholutions’ successful Series A funding round, which included investment from Tekfen Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Tekfen Holding, the parent company of Toros Agri. This investment has facilitated the transition from pilot production, completed in January, to full-scale manufacturing in April.

Founded in 2016, Phospholutions has focused on developing RhizoSorb as an innovative phosphorus fertilizer, derived from ammoniated phosphate processes. The technology aims to offer a more efficient and economical alternative to traditional fertilizers, addressing a critical need in both the North American and European agricultural markets. This partnership with Toros Agri represents Phospholutions’ first major production collaboration, underscoring the potential of RhizoSorb to serve as a sustainable option in the global fertilizer market.

Ahmet Eren, President of Toros Agri, emphasized the strategic value of RhizoSorb, stating, “RhizoSorb technology offers a unique opportunity to enhance the fertilizer production process with its simplicity and seamless integration, along with the technology’s marketable advantages to customers.”

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Phospholutions has also highlighted the environmental benefits of RhizoSorb through a recent life cycle analysis, which demonstrated a 45.2% reduction in carbon emissions compared to monoammonium phosphate (MAP) fertilizers. This analysis compared RhizoSorb produced in Turkey and imported into the U.S. to domestically manufactured MAP, particularly for corn production.

Hunter Swisher, CEO of Phospholutions, noted the economic and operational advantages of RhizoSorb, commenting, “RhizoSorb is the only phosphorus efficiency product on the market that provides phosphate manufacturers an economic advantage while improving efficiency.” He pointed out that other products are typically added later in the production process, which limits manufacturers’ ability to maximize value.

RhizoSorb is designed as a dry granular phosphorus fertilizer that improves phosphorus efficiency in the soil through a plant-driven nutrient release mechanism. Unlike conventional fertilizers that rely on environmental conditions, RhizoSorb utilizes a chemical gradient to control nutrient release, thereby reducing the amount of phosphorus required for crops like corn. This approach has been validated through five years of academic research and field trials.

The collaboration between Phospholutions and Toros Agri is currently in its second year of product performance trials in Turkey, focusing on crops such as corn and wheat. Both companies are optimistic about expanding their partnership, with plans to enhance production capacities and bring a more sustainable and cost-effective phosphorus fertilizer to market.

Sinan Uzan, President and Founder of Tekfen Ventures, confirmed that Tekfen Ventures is committed to investing in and supporting innovations like RhizoSorb to drive transformation in traditional industries such as agriculture.