In October 2011, Koch Agronomic Services, LLC (KAS) acquired Agrotain International’s portfolio of nitrogen stabilizer products. This acquisition came after another year of record demand for AGROTAIN® stabilizer products around the world.
AGROTAIN® nitrogen stabilizer is the original, most research-proven urease inhibitor technology on the market. With 20 years of trials and real-world results on millions of acres worldwide, it’s the one growers trust to protect their nitrogen investment and yield potential every time.
AGROTAIN® PLUS nitrogen stabilizer contains the premier urease enzyme inhibitor technology and a proven nitrification inhibitor that protects nitrogen from ammonia volatilization, denitrification and nitrate leaching. Featuring two modes of action, it can be combined with UAN or liquid manure to protect against all three forms of nitrogen loss.
SUPERU® fertilizer is a finished, stabilized fertilizer product that contains both a urease and a nitrification inhibitor to protect nitrogen against denitrification, nitrate leaching and ammonia volatilization. It contains the highest concentration (46%) of nitrogen available in a stabilized granular
fertilizer that protects against all three forms of nitrogen loss.
Additionally, in 2014, KAS acquired a portion of the T&O assets of Agrium Advanced Technologies, adding polymer coating technology to its portfolio.
N-TEGRATION™ TECHNOLOGY, A STEP FURTHER IN INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY WITH MARKETING AND SALES
In 2015, Koch Agronomic Services, LLC (KAS) launched N-TEGRATION™ Technology, a process technology platform designed to enable production of enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) at urea manufacturing facilities. N-TEGRATION™ Technology is now available for license to global fertilizer manufacturers that qualify. This branded technology platform offers producers the ability to integrate proprietary additives into the urea prilling or granular manufacturing process. This creates homogeneous EEFs which shield against nitrogen loss through volatilization and nitrification for above and below ground protection.
N-TEGRATION™ Technology is a proprietary platform for urea manufacturers that want to differentiate themselves by producing value-added products. The platform enables production of higher valued products designed to help growers and manufacturers thrive in an ever-increasing regulatory and competitive landscape.
Producers who qualify will benefit from a program that works in close relationship with their quality and branding efforts to promote their product brand and the N-TEGRATION™ Technology manufacturing process in a clear and confident manner. Additional components are provided to ensure a successful licensing experience: (1)Technology Transfer: A process design package and supporting technical services to ensure a successful design, implementation and start-up of the N-TEGRATION™ Technology process at the licensees’ facilities. (2) Additive Supply: Sales and delivery of all proprietary KAS additives necessary for the production of EEFs; (3) Marketing & Sales Support: Training to help licensee sell EEFs in the marketplace. (4) Ongoing Product Development: As evidenced by the significant investment in an N-TEGRATION™ Technology pilot plant in Sylacauga, Alabama, KAS is committed to developing additional enhanced efficiency fertilizers.
BIOLOGICALS: THE NEXT FRONTIER
In December 2014, the research & development arm of Mendel Biotechnology, Inc. was acquired by an affiliate of Koch Agronomic Services (KAS) and renamed Koch Biological Solutions.
Mendel, founded in 1997, was an early pioneer in applying genomics to the development of next generation products in agriculture, and, through collaborations with leading ag companies, gained substantial knowledge of how plants respond to pests and environmental factors. Since the acquisition, the Mendel team has been applying the high throughput technology platform to develop new biological products for improved plant performance, including stress tolerance, nutrient and water use efficiency, and other elements that drive crop yield and plant health. Since this first move, KAS has taken additional steps to invest in biologicals.
In January, 2016, KAS announced an investment in Pathway Biologic, a company with proven commercial live microbial plant health products and strong capabilities in production and stable formulation of live microbial products. KAS has also secured exclusive rights to sell REGALIA® RX in the US and REGALIA® MAXX in Canada from Marrone Bio Innovations. These products are FIFFRA registered bio fungicides. REGALIA® offers an outstanding opportunity for KAS to leverage its capabilities in the broad acre market with a proven biological technology. Moving forward, KAS plans to expand its portfolio of fertilizer and foliar applied biostimulant and bio fertility products. The company has also shown interest in biocontrol products.
As part of Koch Industries, Inc., a privately held company with some 100,000 employees operating in
60 countries across the globe, KAS has access to an array of resources. Its research, processes, systems, solid finance and people will all lead to more acquisitions and probably to unexpected innovations as we write these lines!
US based company Koch Agronomic Services, LLC (KAS) produces and markets and licenses plant performance solutions for the world’s top agriculture producers and turf and ornamental professionals. The Wichita-Kansas based company, founded in 2010, is a subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., one of the biggest private companies in the USA. KAS’s vision is to be the leading technology solutions provider focused on maximizing plant performance and minimizing environmental impact. The company has become increasingly active since it first acquired the NITAMIN® fertilizer brand from Georgia Pacific in 2011. Its main focus areas are enhanced efficiency fertilizer solutions for both the agricultural and turf & ornamental markets, and more recently biologicals. New Ag International went for an exclusive interview with Chase Koch, President of the company.
This article was originally published in New Ag International September 2016 and is republished here with the express written permission of NewAgInternational.com. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. www.newaginternational.com