Australian Biofert

About Australian Biofert

Australian Bio Fert Pty Ltd (ABF) is an agricultural technology company focused on developing sustainable fertilizer solutions. Founded in July 2015 by a team of technical experts from the engineering and agriculture industries, the company aimed to address the challenges of costly waste management and the increasing demand for crop nutrition products that enhance soil health and yields. One of the founders mentioned in the context of a major joint venture is Mark Frecheville. The company's chairman is Andrew Buchanan.

The core of ABF's business is the production of organo-mineral biological fertilizer formulations. These are designed to improve soil health while providing essential nutrients for crop growth. The company utilizes a process called torrefaction, which thermally treats organic waste, predominantly from the poultry industry, in a low-oxygen environment to create a solid, char-like material and a liquid condensate. This treated material is then blended with carbon and other mineral fertilizers to produce novel granular and liquid biofertilizers. This process enables the recycling of waste streams into valuable agricultural products. The target clients are farmers in broadacre cropping and horticulture, as well as the domestic gardening market.

A significant milestone for Australian Bio Fert occurred in December 2021, when Incitec Pivot Fertilisers (IPF), a major fertilizer supplier in Australia, invested $38 million to acquire a majority stake in the company. This joint venture included plans to build Australia's first large-scale plant in Lethbridge, Victoria, capable of producing up to 75,000 tonnes of granular biofertilizers annually. This facility was developed following a successful two-year pilot program at a research and development facility near Maddingley, Victoria, which was supported by private investment and government grants. The acquisition and partnership with IPF provide ABF with access to a broad distribution network to commercialize its products across the east coast of Australia.