By Agroempresario.com

Phospholutions, a U.S.-based agtech startup, has taken a significant step forward in the global phosphate fertilizer market through a new partnership with Turkey's largest fertilizer producer, Toros Agri. The collaboration will enable the commercial-scale production of Phospholutions' innovative RhizoSorb additive, designed to enhance phosphorus efficiency in crop production.

Phosphate fertilizers, though essential for crop yields, have long been plagued by inefficiency, with plants absorbing only about 10% of the applied phosphorus. The remainder typically runs off into waterways, leading to environmental concerns and economic waste. In response, Phospholutions developed RhizoSorb, a granular phosphorus fertilizer that increases phosphorus uptake efficiency by 50% throughout the growing season.

Founded in 2016, Phospholutions secured its partnership with Toros Agri following a successful Series A funding round. The collaboration allows Phospholutions to scale RhizoSorb production using Toros Agri’s commercial phosphate manufacturing facilities, which previously focused solely on commodity phosphates. This partnership is a crucial differentiator, as it enables the additive to be incorporated upstream in the production process, adding value for manufacturers and improving results for farmers.

Successful Pilot and Global Expansion

Phospholutions founder and CEO, Hunter Swisher, revealed that an initial pilot of RhizoSorb production exceeded expectations, with the company producing and quickly selling four times more product than originally planned. "We’ve transitioned from minimal sales last year to having a fully integrated production model that supports substantial volume," Swisher told Agroempresario.com. "This proves our business model of working directly with producers to enhance the efficiency of phosphate fertilizers."

Currently, RhizoSorb is available in the U.S. through agricultural retailers in the Midwest. However, the Phospholutions-Toros Agri partnership is set to expand the product's reach into Eastern Europe, where performance trials are already underway in Turkey on staple crops like corn and wheat. The partnership leverages Toros Agri’s strong market presence in Turkey and neighboring regions, positioning the companies for broader commercialization across Eastern Europe.

Future Prospects and Global Reach

As Phospholutions scales up in the U.S. and prepares for further trials in partnership with Toros Agri, the company is also eyeing expansion into new markets. In addition to Toros Agri, Phospholutions has formed strategic alliances with Keytrade Ag, one of the world’s largest fertilizer brokers, and WeGrow AG, to commercialize RhizoSorb across North, Central, and South America.

Despite the challenging capital environment facing many agtech startups, Swisher remains optimistic about Phospholutions’ growth trajectory. "We’re a capital-light business with a model that minimizes the need for a large sales force," he noted. "Our partnerships allow us to scale effectively without compromising the progress we’ve made."

Looking ahead, Phospholutions plans to raise additional capital to maintain its momentum and continue expanding RhizoSorb's global presence. Swisher emphasized the company’s strong market position, driven by substantial progress and investor satisfaction.

With its innovative approach to phosphate fertilizer efficiency and strong strategic partnerships, Phospholutions is poised to make a significant impact on global agriculture, offering farmers a more sustainable and effective solution for crop nutrition.