<div>
  <p>
  </p>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Argo Living Soils, a producer of organic fertilizers, has made advancements in finalizing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be signed with Connective Global, a Malaysia-based manufacturer and distributor of organic fertilizers and agricultural products, to integrate Argo's business strategy with Connective Global's operations, initiating Argo's entry into Southeast Asia.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        Argo and Connective Global expect to produce biochar-enhanced fertilizer products at Connective Global&rsquo;s pilot plant in Malaysia, targeting Malaysia and a few other Asian markets. Prior to this, BioChar research and development phase should be conducted with the collaboration of Argo's expertise in biochar production with Connective Global's expertise in organic fertilizers and agricultural products.&nbsp;
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        This is expected to allow Argo to diversify its portfolio of sustainable fertilizer solutions and expand its footprint into Southeast Asian and potentially Middle East markets. 
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/argo-living-soils-corp-advances-123000144.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFwES3PxRr__XynHQTYj0-psN_RtHQdWj2tdCC_skQDLiAu7q1SoPgyIMk1KYTdPqqrHBAuTd6XqEiUc-H_4wQf3JUis4zluiPgHumw0ajABTMnGoYoDqtcC8YsVA4dLsHFrfSVdVLclJKnxJApRq64dJodV54GOyXW_hvV9qH0e">
      Yahoo Finance
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


Natural Fertilizers

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 
 <p>Argo Living Soils, a producer of organic fertilizers, is advancing on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Connective Global, a Malaysia-based manufacturer and distributor of organic fertilizers and agricultural products. This agreement aims to integrate the businesses, enabling Argo's initiative to enter the Southeast Asian market. </p>
 <p>Both companies plan to produce biochar-enhanced fertilizer products in Connective Global’s Malaysian pilot plant, targeting Malaysia and select Asian markets. To achieve this, a research and development phase on BioChar is necessary. This collaborative endeavor leverages Argo's biochar production proficiency together with Connective Global's knowledge and experience in organic fertilizers and agricultural products. </p>
 <p>Such a move would enable Argo to broaden its range of sustainable fertilizer solutions and extend its sphere of influence to Southeast Asian and potential Middle East markets. </p>
 
</div>

Argo Living Soils partners with Connective Global to produce biochar-enhanced fertilizer products

<div>
 
 <p>Bioconsortia, a company based in California, has obtained $15 million funding for product development in biofertilizer, pest management, and biostimulants, aiming to increase crop yield and vector wider field trial programs. The funding will be used to expand the company's intellectual property, upgrade their lab in Davis, California, and enhance their fermentation and formulation capabilities at their headquarters. The company plans for the commercialization of their biofungicide, bionematicide, postharvest decay control, and nitrogen-fixing products in 2024.</p>
 
</div>

Bioconsortia secures USD 15 million internal funding for microbial product development

<div>
 
 <p>Pivot Bio, a firm specializing in biofertilizers for cereal crops, has inaugurated a 36,000 sq ft Customer Success Center at the Iowa State University Research Park. The company has committed an investment of USD 14 million with the aim to develop microbial nitrogen solutions that can replace synthetic fertilizers.</p>
 <p>This modern venue boasts 15,000 sq ft of open high-bay workspace designed for agronomic equipment work. This includes practical training and calibration of seed treatment machinery, a crucial aspect in the roll-out of the company's unique PROVEN® 40 on-seed product.</p>
 
</div>

Pivot Bio partners with Iowa State University to develop microbial nitrogen solutions

<div>
 
<p>Swedish company Cinis Fertilizer signed a letter of intent (LOI) with ITOCHU Corporation, a Japanese trading firm. This collaboration aims to sell Cinis Fertilizer's potassium sulfate and sodium chloride products, while also purchasing inputs like potassium chloride and sodium sulfate. They hope to establish a production facility in Asia.</p>

</div>

Cinis Fertilizer partners with Itochu Corporation to establish operations in Asia

<div>
 
 <p>Robert Houghton has been appointed as the new CFO of California-based startup, Pivot Bio, which provides biofertilizers for cereal crops. Prior to this, Houghton served leading executive roles in finance at Life Time Group Holdings, United Natural Foods, C.H. Robinson, Sherwin-Williams, and General Mills. He began his career at International Paper. He holds an MBA in finance from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management and a bachelor's degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.</p>

</div>

Pivot Bio appoints Robert Houghton as new CFO

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 <p>Norwegian fertilizer firm, Yara, has purchased Agribios Italiana's organic fertilizer enterprise. Agribios creates various organic fertilizers using animal and agricultural by-products, holding about 10% of Italy's organic-based fertilizer market and producing 60,000 tonnes in 2022. Yara aims to utilize Agribios' know-how to meet European farmer's diverse requirements and grow its organic portfolio in Europe. This acquisition is expected to increase Yara's sales by approximately 30% in the Italian organic-based fertilizer market and nearby regions within the next three years.</p>
</div>

Yara acquires Agribios Italiana to expand organic-based fertilizer offerings in Europe

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

DISRUPTOR_PRESENT

The Swedish company, Cinis Fertilizer, has decided to prioritize the construction of its planned facility in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, over its facility in Skellefteå, Sweden. The Kentucky facility is expected to be operational in 2025 and will have a production capacity of up to 300,000 tons of potassium sulfate. The decision to prioritize the Kentucky facility is due to the rapid expansion of the North American EV battery market, driven by government incentives and a shift in focus from Europe by battery manufacturers. The expansion will be funded through a combination of internal cash flows, external loans, and potential state and federal investment grants. <p><b>Analyst QuickTake: </b> The Kentucky facility will be the company’s second plant after <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18274"> Örnsköldsvik </a> (planned to be operational in early 2024). The decision to prioritize the plant follows the signing of an agreement with Ascend Elements in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22089"> September 2023 </a> for the supply of sodium sulfate. During the same month, the company also entered a letter of intent with K+S for the <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22089"> sale </a> of its potassium sulfate end-product and the <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21732"> purchase </a> of potassium chloride for use at the Kentucky facility.</p>

Cinis Fertilizer prioritizes construction of Kentucky facility over Skellefteå

<div>
<ul>
<li>
<p>USDA has announced USD 52.6 million in awards under the <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/usda-rd-fpep-chart-10162023.pdf">Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP)</a>, which will fund 17 new projects to increase domestic fertilizer production, support innovative fertilizer technologies, and help lower costs for farmers.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The FPEP, funded by the USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation, is part of a government-wide effort to stimulate domestic competition and combat rising fertilizer costs. Since the program was announced about 18 months ago, USDA has awarded 33 projects with a total investment of more than USD 121 million.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Some of the companies that received funding in this round include Northstar Lime, True Organic Products, and Dairy Dreams.</p>
</li>
</ul>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:</b> In September 2022, the USDA allocated <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/13603"> USD 500 million </a> through the FFEP to increase domestic fertilizer production, promote competition in the agriculture industry, and reduce reliance on imports. Due to the high demand for funding, in June 2023, the USDA increased the funding ceiling for the FPEP to a maximum of USD 900 million.</p>

USDA announces USD 52.6 million grant for domestic fertilizer production

Plant Health Care has signed an agreement with Agrii for the distribution of Agrii's foliar fertilizer product containing Plant Health Care's PREtec technology. The product, known as Innocul8, will be launched in the UK in 2024 and will initially focus on improving yields and quality in potatoes, berries, peas, beans, and grapes. The two companies also plan to expand to other crops in the UK in the future. This partnership allows Plant Health Care to expand its global presence and contribute to its goal of generating $30 million in revenue by 2025.

Plant Health Care expands into UK with Agrii

California-based startup Pivot Bio is set to build a facility in Hazelwood, Missouri for the commercial production of nitrogen. This marks the first time this technology has been commercialized. The company plans to invest over $20 million in the project, creating 41 new jobs in the area. The facility will enhance its ability to research, test, and develop biofertilizer products for cereal crops. Pivot Bio will also benefit from the Missouri Works program, which provides access to capital through withholdings or tax credits for job creation, helping the company expand and retain its workforce.

All Updates