Phospholutions
Phospholutions is a privately held U.S. ag-input company that develops and commercializes RhizoSorb, a patented phosphorus fertilizer technology that replaces conventional MAP/DAP, delivering 50% higher phosphorus efficiency. It sells through fertilizer manufacturers, ag retailers, and regional channel partners to row-crop growers in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersState College, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Phospholutions does
Phospholutions, Inc. is a privately held U.S. agricultural-input company founded in 2016 by Hunter Swisher and headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania, with an additional hub in St. Petersburg, Florida. The company originated from technology licensed from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and currently employs between 11 and 50 people. Its core product, RhizoSorb 8-39-0, is a patented, dry-granule phosphorus fertilizer designed to replace conventional monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP). RhizoSorb works by adsorbing phosphate onto the RhizoSorb surface during the granulation step of conventional fertilizer manufacturing, then releasing phosphorus into the soil based on plant demand rather than environmental conditions, improving phosphorus use efficiency by up to 50%, reducing phosphorus application rates while maintaining yield, and lowering carbon emissions, runoff, and leaching versus traditional MAP/DAP. The portfolio is protected by 11 independent patent families spanning approximately 100 countries and is supported by 700+ on-farm trials across 18 U.S. states and 13 countries and over 1 million acres of commercial deployment.
Phospholutions generates revenue by selling RhizoSorb fertilizer products through a multi-tier channel model: phosphate manufacturers (including Toros Agri in Europe) integrate the technology during granulation, distributors such as The Andersons in the U.S., MustGrow/NexusBioAg in Canada, and WeGrow AG in Central/South America carry the product to ag retailers, and regional territory managers and a Grower Guarantee program (up to $40/acre in first-year yield protection) drive adoption among row-crop growers of corn, soybeans, and wheat. Per-ton pricing is higher than conventional MAP/DAP, but per-acre cost is lower due to improved efficiency; the company supports selling efforts with a savings calculator, agronomic performance reports, and trade-association partnerships. Strategic investors include Continental Grain Company, Maumee Ventures (The Andersons), Advantage Capital, Tekfen Ventures, Keytrade AG, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Bunge Ventures, Ospraie Ag Sciences, UPL, 1855 Capital, and Ag Ventures Alliance Cooperative. Recent regulatory wins include AAPFCO Beneficial Substance designation, California product registration, and tentative approval as an Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer.
The company is led by Founder/CEO Hunter Swisher, with a recently expanded executive team including CFO Justin Archibee (formerly of The Mosaic Company), COO Michael Castiglione, Chief Administrative and Sustainability Officer Steve Levitsky, CTO Aaron Waltz, CCO Bob Young (35 years of fertilizer industry experience), VP of Sales and Marketing Craig Dick, VP of Business Development Tim Mahoney, VP of R&D Dr. Krishna Maruvada, and General Counsel Megan Lyman. The board is chaired by Bert Frost (formerly of CF Industries) and includes Weston Heide from The Andersons.
Phospholutions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Phospholutions
- Legal name
- Phospholutions, Inc.
- Website
- https://phospholutions.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Phospholutions is a privately held U.S. ag-input company that develops and commercializes RhizoSorb, a patented phosphorus fertilizer technology that replaces conventional MAP/DAP, delivering 50% higher phosphorus efficiency. It sells through fertilizer manufacturers, ag retailers, and regional channel partners to row-crop growers in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Phospholutions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Phosphate Fertilizers
- NAICS
- Phosphatic Fertilizer Manufacturing (325312)
- SIC
- Agricultural Chemicals (2870)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty Phosphorus Products (Low-Salt, High-Availability P, Polyphosphates) (AFABACAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Phosphate Fertilizers (MAP, DAP, TSP, SSP) (AFABABAB), Fertilizer Raw Materials & Intermediates (Phosphate Rock, Sulfuric/Phosphoric Acid, Potash Ore/Brines) (AFABABAH)
Keywords
Where Phospholutions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- State College
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Phospholutions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Fertilizer Product Sales: Phospholutions generates revenue by selling RhizoSorb 8-39-0 fertilizer products. The product is sold through a network of manufacturers (who produce the integrated product) and distributors/retailers (who sell to growers). While the per-ton cost is higher than conventional MAP/DAP, the per-acre cost is lower due to higher efficiency, and the company benefits from improved retail margins.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard RhizoSorb 8-39-0 pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Phospholutions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Phospholutions develops and sells RhizoSorb, a patented phosphorus efficiency technology that is incorporated into dry phosphate fertilizer manufacturing during granulation. The flagship product, RhizoSorb 8-39-0 (8-39-0 NPK), is a next-generation phosphate fertilizer that replaces conventional MAP and DAP granules, enhancing phosphate use efficiency by up to 50% while maintaining or improving crop yields. The technology controls the release of applied phosphates through soil chemistry rather than biological or biostimulant mechanisms, requiring no changes to existing fertilizer application equipment or practices.
Product overview
Phospholutions offers a single core product, RhizoSorb 8-39-0, which is a patented phosphorus efficiency technology incorporated directly into dry phosphate fertilizer manufacturing. The product portfolio includes supporting tools and programs: the Savings Calculator helps growers quantify cost savings, the Grower Guarantee Program provides yield protection up to $40/acre for first-time users, and the Life Cycle Assessment documentation validates the product's environmental benefits. RhizoSorb replaces conventional MAP and DAP fertilizers while delivering the same phosphorus to crops using 50% less applied fertilizer, with demonstrated yield gains and ROI of up to $20 per acre.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RhizoSorb: Patented phosphorus efficiency technology and flagship product line of Phospholutions, designed to maximize phosphorus efficiency and improve the economics of fertilizer for manufacturers, retailers, and growers.
- RhizoSorb 8-39-0
Products and services
- RhizoSorb 8-39-0 Patented, next-generation dry phosphate fertilizer (8-39-0 NPK) that replaces conventional MAP and DAP granules. Incorporated into traditional phosphate manufacturing during granulation, where phosphate is adsorbed onto the RhizoSorb surface to control phosphorus release based on plant needs rather than environmental conditions, reducing soil tie-up and environmental loss while maintaining or improving crop yields. Requires no changes to existing fertilizer application equipment or grower practices.
- Grower Guarantee Program Risk-mitigation program protecting first-year RhizoSorb growers' revenue. If yields do not meet 100% of the grower's 10-year actual production history (APH), participating growers are eligible for warranty payments of up to $40 per acre. Limited to first-year RhizoSorb growers applying to a minimum of 200 acres of corn and/or soybeans.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% phosphorus application reduction while maintaining yield
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Phospholutions
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Phospholutions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Phospholutions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- MustGrow Biologics Corp. / NexusBioAgmajorDistribution agreement where MustGrow sells RhizoSorb through its Canadian sales and distribution division, NexusBioAg. With approximately 94.5 million acres of Canadian crop production dependent on phosphate, Canada is a key market. MustGrow shares Phospholutions' mission to improve global food system through sustainable production solutions.
- The AndersonsmajorDistribution agreement signed with The Andersons, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANDE) for 2026 crop year. The Andersons is a publicly traded Fortune 500 company diversified in agriculture. This marks a major step in making RhizoSorb more accessible to row crop producers across the U.S., particularly in the Midwest. Alongside the distribution agreement, Maumee Ventures (The Andersons' VC arm) led an additional round of investment.
- Toros AgrimajorPartnership with Toros Agri, a leading fertilizer manufacturer and distributor in the European market, as the first commercial-scale producer of RhizoSorb. Toros Agri incorporates RhizoSorb technology into their production process.
- Penn State University College of Agricultural SciencescoreStrategic partnership formalized through a memorandum of understanding to enhance collaboration in research and education. Phospholutions originated from Penn State research (technology licensed from the College of Agricultural Sciences). The company operates in the Technology Center Incubator at Penn State Innovation Park.
- WeGrow AGmajorPartnership to commercially launch RhizoSorb in Central and South America. WeGrow, a subsidiary of Keytrade AG, distributes innovative sustainable fertilizers globally. This partnership extends the Next Generation of Phosphorus Fertilizer to serve Latin American markets.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Phospholutions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sound Agriculture: Sound Agriculture develops efficiency technologies that reduce nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer use. Most directly comparable to Phospholutions as a startup using chemistry/biological approaches to improve nutrient use efficiency in row crops.
- Pivot Bio: Pivot Bio develops microbial nitrogen-fixing products that replace synthetic nitrogen fertilizer. While focused on nitrogen rather than phosphorus, it pursues the same thesis of displacing conventional fertilizer with more efficient alternatives in row crops.
- Anuvia Plant Nutrients: Anuvia produces enhanced-efficiency organic-based fertilizers targeting row crop and turf markets. Comparable as a specialty fertilizer company selling differentiated, sustainability-positioned products into agriculture retail channels.
Emerging players
- Kula Bio: Kula Bio develops biological nitrogen fertilizer using microbial technology. Comparable as a venture-backed agtech pursuing nutrient efficiency in row crops, though focused on nitrogen rather than phosphorus.
- Indigo Ag: Indigo Ag develops microbial seed treatments and sustainability-linked crop marketing. Comparable as a venture-backed agtech targeting farmer ROI and sustainability outcomes, though operating in adjacent rather than directly competing product categories.
Broad incumbents
- The Mosaic Company: Mosaic is one of the world's largest phosphate fertilizer producers (MAP, DAP, TSP). Phospholutions' new CFO came from Mosaic, highlighting the competitive overlap and potential M&A lens for Phospholutions' phosphate-efficiency technology.
- CF Industries: CF Industries is a major nitrogen fertilizer producer whose former executive (Bert Frost) now chairs Phospholutions' board. As a broad fertilizer incumbent, CF is a relevant peer/strategic counterparty for Phospholutions' efficiency technology.
- ICL Group: ICL is a global specialty fertilizer and phosphate producer offering enhanced-efficiency and controlled-release products. Comparable as an incumbent with overlapping specialty fertilizer capabilities and similar end markets.
- Nutrien Ag Solutions: Nutrien is the world's largest crop inputs provider, distributing MAP/DAP and a range of specialty fertilizers through its ag retail network. Relevant incumbent benchmark and potential channel partner or competitor for Phospholutions' retail strategy.
Others
- Ospraie Ag Sciences: Ospraie Ag Sciences is an investor and operator in sustainable agriculture inputs and is already an investor in Phospholutions. Relevant as a strategic-capital peer and adjacent portfolio company rather than a direct product competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Phospholutions social profiles
Digital presencePhospholutions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Phospholutions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Phospholutions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors13 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Phospholutions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Phospholutions
What does Phospholutions do?
Phospholutions develops and sells RhizoSorb, a patented phosphorus efficiency technology that is incorporated into dry phosphate fertilizer manufacturing during granulation. The flagship product, RhizoSorb 8-39-0 (8-39-0 NPK), is a next-generation phosphate fertilizer that replaces conventional MAP and DAP granules, enhancing phosphate use efficiency by up to 50% while maintaining or improving crop yields. The technology controls the release of applied phosphates through soil chemistry rather than biological or biostimulant mechanisms, requiring no changes to existing fertilizer application equipment or practices.
Is Phospholutions a public or private company?
Phospholutions is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Phospholutions founded?
Phospholutions was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Phospholutions based?
Phospholutions is headquartered in State College, United States, in the North America region.
How does Phospholutions make money?
One revenue line is on record: fertilizer Product Sales.
Who are Phospholutions's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sound Agriculture, Pivot Bio and Anuvia Plant Nutrients. Emerging players are Kula Bio and Indigo Ag. Broad incumbents are The Mosaic Company, CF Industries, ICL Group and Nutrien Ag Solutions. Ospraie Ag Sciences is listed as an others.
Does Phospholutions have an API?
No public API is recorded for Phospholutions.
What industry is Phospholutions in?
Phospholutions's product category is Phosphate Fertilizers. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFABACAH, Specialty Phosphorus Products (Low-Salt, High-Availability P, Polyphosphates), with a secondary code of AFABABAB, Phosphate Fertilizers (MAP, DAP, TSP, SSP). Its NAICS code is 325312 and its SIC code is 2870.