Home » TERRIAL and AFYREN NEOXY form an exclusive partnership for potassium supply

TERRIAL and AFYREN NEOXY form an exclusive partnership for potassium supply

5 May 2021

Press release

Sustainable fertilization:

TERRIAL, a subsidiary of AVRIL Group and SUEZ that is the French leader in organic fertilization, has signed an exclusive partnership with AFYREN NEOXY, a joint venture of AFYREN and Bpifrance, for the supply of potassium, one of the major elements of fertilization

An innovative production process

Based on a low-carbon and circular bioeconomy approach, AFYREN’s technology is innovative and environmentally friendly. AFYREN specializes in the production of completely biobased organic acids for industry, and is getting value from the potassium-rich co-product of this production. It is a remarkable alternative to the synthetic or extraction-based production of potassium.

The potassic co-product will be obtained by a natural fermentation technique using sugar beet co-products. Certified for organic farming and of premium quality, it will be delivered in powder form to TERRIAL, which will then incorporate it into its various mixtures and formattings. “We are very pleased about this long-term partnership with a local player leader in organic fertilization,” said Nicolas SORDET, President of AFYREN. “This is an important step in consolidating our circular economy approach by ensuring a local outlet and a robust supply chain for this valuable resource.”

Zero waste, circular economy

“This partnership is perfectly consistent with TERRIAL’s positioning,” said Ollivier PEAN, Managing Director of TERRIAL, “providing sustainable fertilization solutions through the use of quality, traceable bioresources produced in France.”

Today France has few sources of this type of potassium available and must import about 80,000 tons per year. “Our alliance with AFYREN guarantees our independence and secures an essential supply for French agriculture,” PEAN added.

As a major player in the circular economy for 25 years, TERRIAL is committed to developing partnerships to diversify and secure its supplies of bioresources in France. “TERRIAL’s purpose is to limit the carbon footprint,” PEAN said. “By valorizing organic co-products, we not only participate in this objective, but we are also giving value to bio-waste, thus responding to environmental, economic and societal issues of sustainable development.”

Organic agriculture

The potassium source produced by AFYREN is very low in chloride. It is also certified for use in Organic Agriculture certification, which is not the case for all sources of potassium. This Organic Agriculture label is important for TERRIAL, whose vocation is to develop tailor-made products to meet the various demands and specifications required by French agriculture.

Increasing quantities

The TERRIAL/AFYREN partnership involves a significant annual delivery with a gradual increase in production over 2022 and 2023. From the next growing season, TERRIAL will market new products containing the potassium supplied by AFYREN. These products will enrich the company’s range with innovative formulations for vegetable growing, vineyards, arboriculture and field crops.

This partnership is a perfect illustration of AFYREN and TERRIAL’s commitment to the development of more sustainable production.