40 tons of Controlled Release Fertilizer with a biodegradable coating exported to Vietnam on October 1
First overseas shipment since the second agreement with SK leaveo, marking the start of global expansion for biodegradable CRF
Field testing with a leading Vietnamese rice producer and exporter, with potential to expand supply in the future
Nousbo Co., Ltd. is expanding its overseas business in partnership with SK leaveo. As part of this collaboration, Nousbo will export 40 tons of Biodegradable Controlled Release Fertilizer (CRF) specially developed for rice cultivation to a leading rice producer and exporter in Vietnam on October 1.
This export is significant as it is the first overseas shipment since Nousbo and SK leaveo signed an agreement on June 2 to cooperate on the global expansion of eco-friendly biodegradable CRFs. The product is not a general-purpose coated fertilizer, but was specially developed for Vietnam’s rice-growing conditions and the growth characteristics of rice. It uses biodegradable plastic resin produced by SK leaveo as the coating material and combines it with Nousbo’s CRF manufacturing and nutrient release control technologies.
Since signing their first agreement in 2024, Nousbo and SK leaveo have worked together on the development and commercialization of CRFs with biodegradable coatings. As a result, they developed a PBAT-based biodegradable CRF that meets international TÜV standards for biodegradation in soil and successfully commercialized the product in Korea. Under the second agreement signed in June, the two companies agreed to focus on expanding the supply of biodegradable CRFs for the Mekong Delta’s “One Million Hectares of Low-Carbon, High-Quality Rice” initiative in Vietnam, building a global track record, and establishing regional production and investment platforms.
■Field test with a leading Vietnamese rice producer and exporter
The biodegradable CRF developed specifically for rice cultivation will be supplied to a major Vietnamese company actively involved in rice production, processing, and exports. The company has a strong presence in Vietnam’s agricultural sector and is working to expand its production of high-quality rice and its presence in overseas markets. Through this field test, Nousbo plans to evaluate the fertilizer’s nutrient release characteristics, crop growth, and fertilizer use efficiency under actual rice-growing conditions in Vietnam. Based on the results, Nousbo will further improve the product to better suit local growing conditions. The company also plans to introduce more products tailored to local agricultural conditions and crop characteristics, while gradually expanding its biodegradable CRF business to rice markets in Vietnam and other countries.
■ From product exports to local agricultural solutions: biodegradable CRF ready for commercial-scale production
This export to Vietnam is expected to be an important turning point in Nousbo’s overseas expansion of its biodegradable CRF business. Until now Nousbo has focused mainly on technology development and product commercialization. Starting with this export, the company will expand its business by applying products suited to specific crops and growing conditions in overseas markets and evaluating their performance under actual field conditions. Vietnam is one of the world’s leading rice-producing and exporting countries and is rapidly shifting toward low-carbon, high-quality rice production, particularly in the Mekong Delta. This makes Vietnam a key market for building a global track record for biodegradable CRFs. Nousbo and SK leaveo have completed preparations for commercial-scale production and, under their second agreement, plan to expand overseas applications of biodegradable CRFs, starting with the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. The companies are also considering expanding regional production and supply capacity (CAPA) in the future.
A Nousbo representative said, “This export to Vietnam is significant because it is the first shipment of our biodegradable CRF for use in an overseas agricultural market. More importantly, we will test the product under local conditions together with a company that is actively expanding large-scale rice production and transitioning to low-carbon agriculture in Vietnam. This makes the project more than just a product export.” The representative added, “Together with SK leaveo, we plan to successfully complete this field test and gradually expand the use of the product in Vietnam. We will also continue developing the business so that biodegradable CRFs can be applied to low-carbon, high-quality rice production in the Mekong Delta.”
