18-month joint research project on integrated biological and chemical solutions for soybeans and corn
Brazil’s soybean and corn cultivation area is nearly seven times the total land area of South Korea, representing a major market for Nousbo
esting and commercialization of functional fertilizers planned, led by Controlled Release Fertilizer HI-COTE
Nousbo Co., Ltd. has signed a Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) with EKOA Life Sciences, a leading Brazilian biological agriculture company, covering intellectual property and data rights. Through this agreement, Nousbo will begin expanding into Brazil, one of the world’s largest agricultural markets. Building on this partnership, Nousbo plans to expand beyond horticultural and specialty crops and make a full-scale entry into the global food crop market.
The project is an 18-month research and development program focused on commercializing Biological-Chemical Integration solutions that combine biological agricultural inputs with mineral fertilizers. The research will focus particularly on soybeans and corn, two major crops that are important to global food security and grown on a large scale worldwide.
■ Brazil’s soybean and corn fields cover nearly seven times the total land area of South Korea
Brazil is the world’s largest soybean producer and a major corn exporter, playing a key role in the global food supply chain. According to recent global agricultural statistics, Brazil has approximately 47 million hectares of soybean cultivation area and more than 22 million hectares of corn cultivation area.
Soybeans and corn together are grown on approximately 69–70 million hectares in Brazil, an area nearly seven times the size of South Korea. Nousbo plans to introduce its high-efficiency specialty fertilizers to this large food crop market and significantly expand its sales.
■ Systematic localization and commercialization strategy
Under the agreement, Nousbo will provide key products and technologies, including its Controlled Release Fertilizer HI-COTE and fertilizers for drone application, while EKOA will contribute biological technologies such as microbial inoculants (BNF inoculants), along with its commercial distribution network in Brazil. The first two phases of the project will focus on developing coating formulations that combine Nousbo’s fertilizers with EKOA’s microbial products and testing them on soybeans and corn. In the following phases, the companies will evaluate crop yields, complete product registration in Brazil, and prepare for commercial launch.
A Nousbo representative said, “Brazil is one of the world’s leading agricultural producers, with growing demand for technologies that improve productivity and support more sustainable farming. Soybeans and corn are particularly well suited for Nousbo’s high-efficiency Controlled Release Fertilizers, which can significantly reduce labor while lowering environmental impact.” The representative added, “By working closely with EKOA and conducting field trials in Brazil, we aim to build a strong position in the local market and gradually expand into other major agricultural markets across South America.”
