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Sustainable agriculture is evolving rapidly, and one of the biggest shifts underway is the move toward biodegradable nutrient delivery systems. In a recent update from Hydroponics Daily, we revealed a major laboratory breakthrough: a new biodegradable controlled-release fertiliser designed to offer all the benefits of conventional coated fertilisers, without contributing to microplastic pollution.
This marks a significant milestone for growers looking for environmentally responsible alternatives without compromising plant performance.
Controlled-release fertilisers (CRFs) play an important role in modern agriculture and hydroponics:
Products like Osmocote and Miracle Gro Granules have been industry standards for decades — especially in container growing, landscaping, nurseries, and hydroponic settings.
However, many conventional CRFs rely on polymer coatings that break down into microplastics, raising environmental concerns and prompting demand for cleaner alternatives.
Microplastics in horticulture are increasingly recognised as a serious long-term soil-health and environmental issue.
Challenges include:
❌ Plastic coatings remaining in soil and substrates
❌ Potential long-term impact on soil microbiology
❌ Growing regulatory attention on polymer-coated fertilisers due to the potential impact on human health.
With global agriculture moving toward regenerative practices, biodegradable fertiliser technology is urgently needed.
Eutrema’s R&D team has been working to engineer a granular fertiliser coating that fully breaks down without leaving polymer residues.
✅ Fully biodegradable coating
✅ Controlled nutrient release over time
✅ Potential for organic versions
✅ Potential for a controlled-release version of Eutrema’s popular Liquid Gold fertiliser.
✅ Sustainable, scalable manufacturing
Eutrema’s lab team achieved a major breakthrough in Autumn 2025, bringing this innovation significantly closer to commercial release.
It’s a promising development for growers, landscapers, and greenhouse operators looking to transition to environmentally responsible feed programs.
Eutrema aims to continue formulation refinement and full-scale trials over the next six months. Once validated, this product could become one of the first mainstream biodegradable CRF options available in the UK horticulture sector — with broader release planned thereafter.
Stay tuned — sustainable fertiliser technology is about to take a major leap forward.
Article by Dr Russell Sharp
If you would like to keep up to date with subjects just like this, you can listen to both our podcasts! Links can be found bellow:
Hydroponics Daily Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hydroponics-daily/id1788172771
Cereal Killers Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cereal-killers/id1695783663