In 2025, for the first time since Korea introduced the High-Quality Fertilizer Designation System in 2005, Nousbo’s Hi-Cote ECO has been officially designated as a high-quality fertilizer. Developed by integrating Controlled Release Fertilizer coating technology with biodegradable resins, Hi-Cote ECO contributes to protecting the agricultural environment and preserving soil health. Under relevant regulations, it is expected to see wider adoption among Korean farmers in the years ahead.
▲ Hi-Cote ECO, designated as a high-quality fertilizer
‘Hi-Cote ECO’ fertilizer has been recognized as a high-quality fertilizer for the first time since the establishment of the Republic of Korea’s High-Quality Fertilizer Certification System in 2005.
In Korea, high-quality fertilizer recognition is granted only to newly developed or significantly improved fertilizers that meet the recognition criteria for protecting the agricultural environment and soil, boosting productivity, and enhancing farming competitiveness. Applications are reviewed and evaluated in accordance with these standards before designation is announced.
Nousbo earned this designation through the development of a controlled release fertilizer that uses biodegradable resins, helping to reduce environmental impact and safeguard soil health. Hi-Cote ECO is a 100% coated fertilizer, with all NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) nutrients encapsulated in a special coating material that naturally biodegrades through microbial activity. It is suitable for a wide variety of crops, including rice and horticultural plants.
Industries worldwide are making significant efforts to address environmental challenges, and the recognition of Hi-Cote ECO reflects Nousbo’s long-standing collaboration with the Rural Development Administration to replace non-biodegradable coating materials in fertilizers. Hi-Cote ECO brings together the eco-friendly benefits of organic fertilizers and the cost-effectiveness of inorganic fertilizers. While the designation is a Korean national standard, the credibility it provides is expected to strengthen the company’s export potential, with plans to actively leverage its global network for expansion overseas.
