Nousbo signs supply agreement with Wilbur-Ellis for controlled release coated fertilizers (CRFs) for horticultural nurseries and turf management.
Supply to include Nousbo’s CRF “HI-COTE”, with first shipments planned for late 2025.
Expansion of high-performance coated fertilizer business in North America, supported by domestic golf course management expertise.
Nousbo has signed a supply agreement with Wilbur-Ellis, a leading US-based global company in agriculture and turf management, for Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRFs) used in horticultural nurseries and professional turf. The agreement was finalized on November 14 and will run for two years. By combining Nousbo’s advanced coated fertilizer manufacturing technology with Wilbur-Ellis’ extensive North American distribution network, the partnership is expected to accelerate market expansion across the region. The US nursery market is concentrated in states such as California, Florida, and Oregon, and is estimated at approximately $5 billion (about KRW 7 trillion). Under this collaboration, efforts to expand sales of CRFs in this sector will be strengthened.
Founded in 1921, Wilbur-Ellis is a California-based company specializing in agriculture, chemicals, and animal nutrition. With annual revenue of more than $3 billion and over 2,400 employees, the company operates across North America with more than 140 distribution locations. Its portfolio includes fertilizers, crop protection products, agricultural inputs, specialty chemicals and raw materials, positioning Wilbur-Ellis as a key driver of sustainable agricultural innovation worldwide.
The agreement covers two categories: the supply of HI-COTE, Nousbo’s high-performance controlled release coated fertilizer (CRF), and the supply of products for the Pro Market, which includes professional horticulture and landscaping fields such as nursery production, landscaping, and golf course and sports turf management. Under this agreement, Nousbo will provide coated fertilizers that support stable nutrient delivery during nursery growth stages, as well as turf fertilizers optimized for golf course and landscaping management. These coated fertilizers use controlled release technology that gradually releases nutrients over a defined period, improving growth efficiency while reducing fertilizer use and minimizing environmental impact.
In addition, Nousbo has applied the golf course management expertise of its subsidiary, Nousbo ENG, along with years of experience producing fertilizers for golf course turf, to develop turf-specific products that prevent leaf damage and color loss caused by excessive nutrients while maintaining uniform growth. With these advantages the products are expected to be highly competitive in premium golf courses and landscaping markets.
The first product lineup has already been finalized, with shipments scheduled to begin in late 2025. The collaboration with Wilbur-Ellis reflects growing international recognition of Nousbo’s Controlled Release Fertilizer technology and environmentally friendly production capabilities. Moving forward, Nousbo plans to strengthen its range of products tailored to North American agricultural and turf management needs, and aims to contribute to sustainable solutions across the region in partnership with Wilbur-Ellis.
