Agtech Startup Shows Significant Sustainability, ROI Benefits Over Traditional Fertilizers

Zellwood, FL (May 21, 2019) — Anuvia Plant Nutrients announced the results of an independent study on the agtech startup’s positive environmental impact. Environmental Resources Management (ERM), a leading global environmental consulting firm, verified the sustainability impact of Anuvia’s technology on corn, rice, and cotton. The study found that Anuvia’s plant-nutrient technology reduces greenhouse gases (GhG) on production by up to 32 percent, compared to the use of conventional fertilizers, while, at the same time, increasing farmers’ profitability.

Greenhouse gases are produced when nutrients in traditional fertilizer are lost as gas or vapor into the atmosphere largely in the form of N2O and CO2. Agriculture accounts for nearly 10 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, according to the EPA.

Data was gathered in cooperation with several universities and agricultural centers of excellence in the United States. The data was then combined with international data standards for environmental impact to determine final results. Anuvia outperformed conventional fertilizers in both the sourcing and manufacturing of the product (called the Cradle to Gate Phase) and the Use Phase, which is when the nutrients are actually distributed onto the field.

Highlights of the ERM study and technology benefits include1:

  • 10 percent reduction of greenhouse gases on corn
  • 32 percent reduction of greenhouse gases on cotton and rice
  • 4 to 13 times lower carbon footprint (against traditional inorganic fertilizers) from manufacturing process

“This was an in-depth, rigorous exercise to assess carbon footprint through every phase of the product lifecycle, including sourcing materials, manufacturing, and in use on field,” said Braulio Pikman, technical director, ERM, and lead author of the study. “In this respect, the results of study truly stand out, suggesting that Anuvia can make a significant, immediate impact on reducing greenhouse gases globally, while at the same time, help agriculture become even more efficient and effective.”

Based on the ERM study, it is possible to state that for every million acres of crops that use Anuvia, the reduction of greenhouse gases is the equivalent of removing 20,000 to 30,000 cars from the roads. With 90 million acres of corn in the United States alone, this would conservatively translate to 1.8 million cars removed in perpetuity. Anuvia is already in use on more than 500,000 acres, with production capacity planned to dramatically increase by 2020.

How It Works: Slow Release Technology Improves Plant Nutrition, Soil Health

Anuvia’s clean technology uses a proprietary nutrient delivery system, the Organic MaTRX, to bind with essential nutrients, providing a novel way to slowly release nutrients to plants. This results in better nutrient utilization and less loss of nutrients into the environment and reduced need of water supply. Anuvia’s products not only feed the plants with nutrients, but also nourish the soil by returning up to 16 percent organic matter to feed soil microbes. By delivering nutrients more efficiently, Anuvia’s products reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint, while improving plant performance and soil health. The benefits are both environmental and economic for the farmer and the planet.

“Our innovative technology helps large-scale commercial farms become more sustainable immediately,” said Anuvia CEO Amy Yoder. “Consumers and mainstream retailers like Walmart are increasingly demanding sustainable practices across the supply chain. Anuvia helps farms stay competitive in this changing landscape.”

Plug and Play Sustainability and Yield

Anuvia not only reduces farmers’ environmental footprints, but also provides economic benefits. Since Anuvia’s nutrient system is more efficient in feeding plants, farmers can grow bigger and better crops, reaping more from their current acreage. With an average yield increase of 5.1 percent across major crops such as corn, rice, wheat, canola and cotton, farmers ultimately see a 3 to 5x ROI.

With little to no financial or operational barriers to adoption, Anuvia can make an overnight impact on the agriculture industry.

“As a cooperative owned by 200,000 farmers, we have a responsibility to our members that products we recommend will work as promised on the field,” said Steve Becraft, COO, Southern States Cooperative. “Anuvia’s performance yield and profitability has earned our trust and the trust of our members.”

Complete study results can be requested at https://www.anuviaplantnutrients.com/erm

1 The study was conducted in accordance with ISO 14.067, that allows for accounting the removals of carbon in biomass production and the model was developed using SimaPro Software and Ecoinvent® Version 3 Database when actual data was not available. Limitations to the results are described in the documentation prepared by ERM.

Anuvia Plant Nutrients manufactures high-efficiency, sustainable bio-based fertilizers for the agriculture, turf and lawncare industries. Located in Zellwood, Fla., the company developed and uses a unique technology that not only optimizes nutrient availability and efficiency for plants, but also improves soil health, preserves natural resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Anuvia is committed to offering easily-adoptable, profitable and sustainable solutions to customers, their communities and global agriculture. This commitment recently earned Anuvia an honorable mention in the food category of Fast Company’s 2019 World Changing Ideas Award. Learn More about Anuvia Plant Nutrients – GreenTRX for Turf and Lawn, SymTRX for Agriculture, visit www.anuviaplantnutrients.com.

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is a leading global provider of environmental, health, safety, risk, social consulting services and sustainability related services. The company has more than 4,900 people in over 40 countries and territories working out of more than 160 offices. ERM is committed to providing a service that is consistent, professional and of the highest quality to create value for our clients. ERM has worked with many of the Global Fortune 500 companies delivering innovative solutions for business and selected government clients helping them understand and manage the sustainability challenges that the world is increasingly facing.

Southern States Cooperative is a Richmond, Virginia-based farm supply retailer and service cooperative. As one of the nation's largest agricultural cooperatives, it provides a wide range of farm inputs, including fertilizer, seed, livestock feed, pet food, animal health supplies, and petroleum products, as well as other items for the farm and home. Founded in 1923, the cooperative is owned by more than 200,000 farmer-members and serves its members and non-member customers through 1,200 retail outlets in 21 states. For more information, visit www.southernstates.com.