[191 Pages Report] The Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market size was estimated at USD 2.31 billion in 2023 and expected to reach USD 2.44 billion in 2024, at a CAGR 6.09% to reach USD 3.49 billion by 2030.
The controlled-release fertilizers market focuses on the production, distribution, and application of advanced fertilizer technologies that gradually release nutrients over an extended period. These fertilizers improve crop yield, efficiency, and sustainability while catering to various end-use sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, turf & ornamentals, and specialty applications such as nurseries and greenhouses. The need for sustainable agricultural practices primarily drives market growth due to increasing population growth and decreasing arable land. Key factors contributing to this market development include growing global demand for highly efficient fertilizers, increasing need for high-value crops, and supportive government subsidies. Challenges include compatibility issues with certain crops or soil types, and counterfeit and less efficient products' availability hamper market growth. In addition, continuous product innovations in controlled-release technology and exploring synergies with precision agriculture techniques or other advanced farming methods are expected to create added value for customers by optimizing nutrient use efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing overall crop performance. Moreover, vendors are focused on areas of innovation and research, such as developing new formulations catering to a wider range of crop types or soils, investing in R&D for environmentally friendly materials used in designing advanced fertilizer coatings that minimize nutrient losses, and collaborating with agencies or institutions promoting capacity-building initiatives aimed at educating farmers on controlled-release fertilizers' benefits.
Coated & encapsulated fertilizers consist of conventional granule or prill fertilizers covered with a polymer or sulfur coating, which ensures a consistent nutrient supply. These are ideal for long-term crops or areas where frequent fertilizer applications pose challenges. N-stabilizer controlled-release fertilizers focus on stabilizing nitrogen through urease inhibitors or nitrification inhibitors, increasing nitrogen use efficiency while reducing losses from volatilization or leaching. Slow-release fertilizers gradually release nutrients as they dissolve in water due to their low solubility. They are derived from organic materials or inorganic sources such as ammonium sulfate or isobutylidene diurea (IBDU). While Slow-release fertilizers are cost-effective compared to coated & encapsulated options, they may have less control over nutrient release rates. In conclusion, controlled-release fertilizers cater to various agricultural needs based on their benefits and limitations. Coated & encapsulated products offer precise control but higher costs; N-stabilizers target nitrogen efficiency at a lower price but reduced control; slow-release alternatives provide cost-effective solutions with potential limitations in nutrient release rate management.
Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) are essential for maintaining a consistent supply of nutrients to cereals and grains such as rice, wheat, and corn. Given their need for a steady nutrient supply throughout their growth stages, CRFs help improve yield and reduce environmental impacts. Controlled-release fertilizers provide essential nutrients for fruits and vegetables over an extended period, ensuring optimal growth and quality. The demand for oilseeds including soybean and pulses necessitates efficient nutrient use to enhance crop productivity. CRFs are preferred in these crops because they supply a slow, steady release of nutrients that optimizes plant growth and nutrient uptake. Plantation crops such as coffee, tea, rubber, and cocoa benefit from CRFs as they ensure targeted nutrient delivery throughout the long growth cycles typical of perennial crops. Turfgrasses and ornamental plants require precise nutrient management to maintain visual appeal and health. CRFs offer an ideal solution by providing sustainable nutrition that matches the specific needs of turfgrass species.
Fertigation and foliar application are two advanced techniques for delivering controlled-release fertilizers to crops, each catering to specific agricultural needs. Fertigation incorporates nutrients into irrigation systems, ensuring precise and timely release of fertilizers to high-value crops with unique nutrient demands, such as fruits and vegetables. This method promotes proper nutrient distribution while minimizing losses from leaching or evaporation and mitigating environmental risks due to over-fertilization. The foliar application involves spraying controlled-release fertilizers directly onto plant leaves for rapid nutrient absorption through leaf surfaces, making it suitable for addressing deficiencies during specific growth phases or stress conditions. Specialized coatings or encapsulation technologies ensure gradual nutrient release in these foliar fertilizers. Both techniques provide distinct advantages tailored to individual crop needs such as consistent nutrient supply through fertigation for high-value crops or regions with scarce water resources and rapid responsiveness to nutrient deficiencies via foliar application during critical growth periods or stress situations.
In agriculture, controlled-release fertilizers help maintain soil fertility, optimize nutrient use efficiency, and reduce environmental impacts. Popular products include polymer-coated urea (PCU), sulfur-coated urea (SCU), and coated micronutrients such as iron and zinc. In the non-agriculture segment, controlled-release fertilizers are utilized in horticulture, turf & ornamentals, forestry management, landscaping services, and residential gardening. These specialized products maintain plant health and aesthetics while reducing labor input and minimizing over-application or frequent feeding risks. Both end-user segments demonstrate significant demand for controlled-release fertilizers driven by their priorities; agriculture emphasizes nutrient efficiency and environmental sustainability, while non-agricultural sectors prioritize aesthetics and ease of maintenance. Ongoing innovations by manufacturers coupled with global research efforts ensure continued growth in adopting controlled-release fertilizers across these segments.
In the Americas, the United States and Canada are key players in the controlled-release fertilizers market, compelled by the increasing demand for high-quality agricultural products and the need to enhance crop yield. Adopting advanced farming practices has increased the use of controlled-release fertilizers, which provide nutrients to crops over a longer period, reducing application frequency and labor costs. EU countries have been focusing on sustainable agriculture practices and emphasizing the importance of environmentally friendly fertilizers. This trend is supported by initiatives such as the Circular Economy Action Plan and the European Green Deal, which aim at promoting resource efficiency and eco-innovations in agriculture. The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region has witnessed a surge in investments towards modernizing agricultural infrastructure. In the Asia Pacific region, China, Japan, and India play vital roles in the controlled-release fertilizers market due to their vast agricultural land areas and increasing population demands for food security. Moreover, numerous research studies have been conducted on novel controlled-release fertilizers in the region, such as India's recent development of a hydrogel-based urea fertilizer with slow nitrogen-release properties.
The FPNV Positioning Matrix is pivotal in evaluating the Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market. It offers a comprehensive assessment of vendors, examining key metrics related to Business Strategy and Product Satisfaction. This in-depth analysis empowers users to make well-informed decisions aligned with their requirements. Based on the evaluation, the vendors are then categorized into four distinct quadrants representing varying levels of success: Forefront (F), Pathfinder (P), Niche (N), or Vital (V).
The Market Share Analysis is a comprehensive tool that provides an insightful and in-depth examination of the current state of vendors in the Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market. By meticulously comparing and analyzing vendor contributions in terms of overall revenue, customer base, and other key metrics, we can offer companies a greater understanding of their performance and the challenges they face when competing for market share. Additionally, this analysis provides valuable insights into the competitive nature of the sector, including factors such as accumulation, fragmentation dominance, and amalgamation traits observed over the base year period studied. With this expanded level of detail, vendors can make more informed decisions and devise effective strategies to gain a competitive edge in the market.
Sollio Agriculture Unveils Cutting-Edge Controlled-Release Fertilizer Plant
Sollio Agriculture, in collaboration with Pursell and regional partners, has opened CRF Agritech, a state-of-the-art controlled-release fertilizer production plant in St. Thomas, Ontario. This venture represents an investment of over Canadian dollars 25 million and utilizes cutting-edge technology. The primary goal is to enhance crop yields, reduce environmental impact, and reshape agricultural practices in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States. [Published On: 2023-10-15]
Alabama Fertilizer Company Earns Grant To Increase Production
Pursell Agri-Tech, an Alabama-based company, has received a USD 4.9 million match from the USDA Fertilizer Production Expansion Program. This funding aims to support the company's efforts to increase the production of its innovative controlled-release fertilizer by 40,000 tons annually. [Published On: 2023-04-25]
ICL Launches Groundbreaking Biodegradable Coated Fertilizer Technology
ICL Group Ltd. has introduced eqo.x, an innovative and revolutionary rapidly biodegradable release technology for open-field agriculture. This technology is designed to optimize crop performance and minimize environmental impact. Notably, eqo.x is the first product in the market to offer a controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) coating for urea that biodegrades more rapidly. [Published On: 2022-09-01]
The report delves into recent significant developments in the Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include AGLUKON Spezialduenger GmbH & Co. KG, Agricultural Tractors Spares Pte Ltd., AgroBridge (M) Sdn. Bhd., BASF SE, Compo Expert GmbH by Grupa Azoty S.A., Coromandel International Limited, Darling Ingredients Inc., DeltaChem International B.V., Dhanashree Agro Industries, FMC Corporation, Greenfeed Agro Sdn. Bhd., Haifa Negev technologies Ltd., Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC, Israel Chemicals Ltd., Jcam Agri. Co., Ltd., Kingenta Ecological Engineering Group Co., Ltd., Koch Industries, Inc., Kugler Company, Nufarm Ltd., Nutrien Ltd., PROFILE Products LLC, Pursell Agri-Tech, LLC, SQM VITAS by Groupe Roullier, Stamicarbon B.V., Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Suståne Natural Fertilizer, Inc., The Mosaic Company, The Scotts Company LLC, UPL LTD., and Yara International ASA.
This research report categorizes the Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-markets:
- Type
- Coated & Encapsulated
- Polymer Coatings
- Sulfur Coatings
- Sulfur-Polymer Coatings
- N-Stabilizers
- Nitrification Inhibitors
- Urease Inhibitors
- Slow-Release
- Urea-Acetaldehyde
- Urea-Formaldehyde
- Urea-Isobutyraldehyde
- Coated & Encapsulated
- Crop
- Cereals & Grains
- Corn
- Rice
- Wheat
- Fruits & Vegetables
- Brassicas
- Citrus Fruits
- Roots & Tubers
- Oilseeds & Pulses
- Canola
- Soybean
- Plantation Crops
- Turf & Ornamentals
- Cereals & Grains
- Method
- Fertigation
- Foliar
- End-Use
- Agriculture
- Non-Agriculture
- Nurseries & Greenhouses
- Turf & Lawns
- Region
- Americas
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Canada
- Mexico
- United States
- California
- Florida
- Illinois
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Asia-Pacific
- Australia
- China
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Europe, Middle East & Africa
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Israel
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Poland
- Qatar
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Americas
- Market Penetration: It presents comprehensive information on the market provided by key players.
- Market Development: It delves deep into lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the penetration across mature market segments.
- Market Diversification: It provides detailed information on new product launches, untapped geographic regions, recent developments, and investments.
- Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: It conducts an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certifications, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players.
- Product Development & Innovation: It offers intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments.
- What is the market size and forecast of the Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market?
- Which products, segments, applications, and areas should one consider investing in over the forecast period in the Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market?
- What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market?
- What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market?
- Which modes and strategic moves are suitable for entering the Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market?
- Preface
- Research Methodology
- Executive Summary
- Market Overview
- Market Insights
- Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market, by Type
- Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market, by Crop
- Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market, by Method
- Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market, by End-Use
- Americas Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market
- Asia-Pacific Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market
- Europe, Middle East & Africa Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market
- Competitive Landscape
- Competitive Portfolio
- List of Figures [Total: 24]
- List of Tables [Total: 1000]
- List of Companies Mentioned [Total: 30]
Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) result from ongoing R&D and product innovation. Releasing a small amount of nutrients at a time, CRFs gradually provide crops with essential nutrients for optimal growth. This slow-release system minimizes the potential for excess mineral loss, leaching, and runoff, which has harmful effects on the environment, including pollution of water systems and the creation of dead zones. Researchers have made significant strides in designing CRF products that improve efficacy, safety, and environmental impact in recent years.
One of the most promising advancements in CRF technology is using nanosensors to monitor soil nutrient levels. These sensors work in tandem with CRFs, allowing farmers to apply fertilizer only when necessary. This technology ensures a more personalized approach to crop nutrition, reducing fertilizer waste and saving farmers money. Moreover, using nanosensors enables farmers to have real-time soil monitoring, which enhances their ability to make well-informed decisions for crop management and yield optimization.
Another recent innovation in CRFs is using biodegradable materials as substrate coatings. These coatings release nutrients at a slow, controlled pace, ensuring the plant's optimal absorption of minerals over an extended period. Such eco-friendly coatings reduce plastic pollution and degradation, often generated by the traditional plastic coating of fertilizers.
CRFs are revolutionizing farming by significantly reducing the dependency on traditional fertilizer, which is expensive in many parts of the world. The use of CRFs has cut the number of fertilizer applications that farmers would have previously made, resulting in a considerable decrease in fertilizer cost and labor required to apply it. The controlled release of nutrients reduces the quantity of fertilizer required and increases crop yield in the long run, doubling the benefits associated with the product.
Furthermore, farmers can use CRFs to reduce the environmental impact of their agricultural activities. The careful, self-contained release of nutrients into the soil reduces the need for farmers to apply herbicides and pesticides, which often contain toxic chemicals harmful to both humans and the environment. Thus, using CRFs results in more sustainable farming practices and an overall reduction in pollution and environmental degradation.
Controlled-release fertilizers are an invaluable tool for sustainable agriculture. With technological advances, CRFs offer an alternative to traditional fertilizers, revolutionizing the industry through effective management, increased productivity, and significant environmental benefits. Nanosensors and biodegradable materials are only a few of the many advancements in CRF innovation, making them more efficient, practical, and beneficial to farmers and the environment than ever before. As such, the use of CRFs cannot be ignored, and the agriculture industry must continue to adopt eco-friendly practices and embrace technological solutions for a more sustainable future.
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