Ekompany

About Ekompany

Ekompany is a Dutch-based manufacturer specializing in controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) for the agricultural and horticultural sectors. Founded in 2010 by Eric van Kaathoven, the company established its production facility in Born, the Netherlands, which opened in September 2013 and was considered the largest of its kind in Western Europe. The business model centers on producing and supplying technologically advanced fertilizers that enhance nutrient efficiency, a critical factor for large-scale agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.

The company's core product, Ekote, features a patented polymer coating made from organic oils that is naturally degradable. This coating ensures a continuous and controlled supply of nutrients to plants for periods up to 18 months, which helps to minimize the significant nutrient loss often seen with conventional fertilizers due to leaching and volatilization. By matching the nutrient release pattern to the plant's growth cycle, a single application can suffice for an entire growing season, offering considerable savings in labor, transport, and storage costs. Ekompany serves a B2B market, providing its solutions to clients in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry, with specific formulations developed for various crops, such as oil palm nurseries.

After facing delays in the construction of a new factory, Ekompany experienced bankruptcy in October 2015. In early 2016, the company was acquired by the Chinese firm Kingenta Ecological Engineering Group Co. LTD, which was seeking to enter the European market. The acquisition led to the formation of Ekompany International B.V., with founder Eric van Kaathoven and much of the original staff remaining involved. This strategic move integrated Ekompany's technology into Kingenta's global expansion strategy. Subsequently, in 2018, Compo GmbH acquired Ekompany as part of a larger strategy to re-enter the professional fertilizer market.