South Korea’s Nousbo has made its first export to Europe for its biodegradable fertilizer coatings, says a local news report.

Nousbo has signed a supply contract for 10 tonnes with a Ukrainian ag-input distributor. The biodegradable coating avoids the use of microplastics.

In July, Nousbo completed the registration of two biodegradable controlled release fertilizers (CRF) for the Japanese market.

Japan is a key market for controlled release fertilizer and has been for some decades. The authorities in the country have been trying to reduce the use of plastic-coated controlled release fertilizers.

“Since Japan requires product-by-product registration for fertilizer sales, this registration is significant because it completes an essential step for future exports to the Japanese market,” said the Nousbo statement.

The company has registered two patents to date for its biodegradable coatings. The newest patent, announced in June, covers the manufacturing technology for controlled-release coated fertilizer using the biodegradable resin PBAT (polybutylene adipate terephthalate) and other environmentally friendly materials.

A Nousbo spokesperson said: “CRFs with biodegradable coatings are expected to become an essential technology in the future global agricultural market.”

South Korean companies Nousbo and SK Leaveo sign agreement to commercialize biodegradable, slow-release coated fertilizers.