Substrata
Substrata is a Henderson, Nevada-based biochemical manufacturer selling five proprietary enzyme formulations for soil stabilization, dust control, microbial cleaning, agriculture, and petroleum remediation to government, mining, solar, agricultural, and residential customers across 25+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersHenderson, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Substrata does
Substrata is a privately held biochemical manufacturer specializing in proprietary enzyme-based formulations for civil infrastructure, agriculture, and environmental remediation applications. Founded in 1972 as International Enzymes by John Battistoni (inventor of the Perma-Zyme soil stabilizer) and rebranded to Substrata in 2018 under CEO Royal Marty, the company operates from Henderson, Nevada with a 1-10 person team. Its product portfolio consists of five enzyme formulations: Perma-Zyme for soil stabilization (creating concrete-like surfaces lasting 10+ years on unpaved and paved roads, mining haul roads, and solar farm pads), Bacto-Zyme for microbial cleaning and wastewater treatment, Petra-Zyme for petroleum remediation, Harva-Zyme for agricultural soil conditioning, and Surfa-Zyme for dust control. All formulas are maintained as trade secrets with only a handful of employees having complete formulation knowledge.
The company generates revenue primarily through one-time product sales of enzyme concentrate, priced on a quote basis tied to project scope (e.g., 1 gallon of Perma-Zyme per 160 cubic yards of soil). Distribution is multi-channel: a direct sales team handles enterprise and government accounts, an e-commerce online store captures SMB and residential buyers, and vetted authorized distributors serve international markets across 25+ countries. Complementary soil evaluation services are offered free to U.S. public and commercial customers and as at-home kits internationally, functioning as a pre-sales technical qualification rather than a revenue stream. Customers are predominantly fragmented county/municipal governments, agricultural operators, mining companies, solar farm developers, and individual property owners — with named case studies across Nevada, Utah, California, Michigan, and Texas demonstrating durability claims over multi-year periods.
Substrata's commercial proposition centers on cost savings of up to 80% versus traditional paved road construction and reduced long-term maintenance versus chemical stabilizers, while positioning all products as 100% non-toxic and environmentally friendly. The business model is sales-led with technical support (complimentary soil testing, application training videos, dedicated sales representatives) serving as a key differentiator in a niche specialty-chemicals market. Anti-counterfeiting holographic packaging introduced in 2019 reflects both the brand equity of Perma-Zyme in international markets and the inherent vulnerability of trade-secret formulations to unauthorized reproduction.
Substrata firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Substrata
- Legal name
- Substrata, LLC
- Website
- https://substrata.us
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Substrata is a Henderson, Nevada-based biochemical manufacturer selling five proprietary enzyme formulations for soil stabilization, dust control, microbial cleaning, agriculture, and petroleum remediation to government, mining, solar, agricultural, and residential customers across 25+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Substrata industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Enzyme / Biochemical Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253), Cyclic Crude, Intermediate, and Gum and Wood Chemical Manufacturing (325194)
- SIC
- Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Agricultural Chemicals (2870)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commodity Surfactants & Detergent Base Chemicals (IMAEAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mulches & Biodegradable Films (Straw, Paper, Bio-based) (AFABAKAI), Sludge/Biosolids Handling & Treatment Facilities Construction (IMAFAGAJ)
Keywords
Where Substrata is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Henderson
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Substrata business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Enzyme Product Sales: Substrata generates revenue through the sale of enzyme-based products including Perma-Zyme, Bacto-Zyme, Petra-Zyme, Harva-Zyme, and Surfa-Zyme. Products are sold directly through the company and through authorized distributors globally. Pricing is quote-based, with specific usage rates (e.g., 1 gallon Perma-Zyme per 160 cubic yards of soil).
- Soil Evaluation Services: Complimentary soil evaluation services for U.S.-based public entities and private commercial customers, including the #200 Finder Soil Evaluation. International customers receive free at-home soil evaluation kits. This service supports product sales by ensuring customer soil compatibility.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Perma-Zyme usage rate is 1 gallon per 160 cubic yards of soil |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Petra-Zyme petroleum remediation products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bacto-Zyme wastewater treatment products |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Substrata product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Substrata manufactures and sells enzyme-based biochemical products for soil stabilization, dust control, microbial cleaning, agricultural soil conditioning, and petroleum remediation. Its flagship product, Perma-Zyme, bonds clay-based soil particles to create concrete-like surfaces used for unpaved and paved road construction. The portfolio also includes Bacto-Zyme (microbial cleaning/wastewater), Surfa-Zyme (dust control), Harva-Zyme (agricultural soil conditioning), and Petra-Zyme (petroleum remediation). All products are 100% non-toxic, non-hazardous, and environmentally friendly.
Product overview
Substrata is a biochemical manufacturer offering a portfolio of five enzyme-based products for soil stabilization, cleaning, dust control, agriculture, and petroleum remediation. Perma-Zyme serves as the core soil stabilizer for road construction and pad applications, while Bacto-Zyme handles microbial cleaning and wastewater treatment. Surfa-Zyme addresses dust control, Harva-Zyme supports agricultural soil conditioning, and Petra-Zyme specializes in petroleum remediation. All products are enzyme-based, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Perma-Zyme Enzyme-based soil stabilizer that bonds clay-based soil particles to create concrete-like surfaces for unpaved roads, paved road subbases, and equipment pads. Lasts 10+ years under normal traffic and up to 5 years under heavy industrial traffic. Works on clay-based soils, limestone, and decomposed granite.
- Bacto-Zyme Microbial cleaning solution that breaks down hydrocarbons and contaminants. Used for industrial cleaning, wastewater treatment, odor elimination, and septic tank maintenance.
- Surfa-Zyme Dust control enzyme product designed to reduce and control dust on unpaved surfaces, gravel roads, construction sites, and industrial areas.
- Harva-Zyme Agricultural soil conditioning enzyme product that increases soil nutrients and crop yield by enhancing soil quality and supporting plant root growth.
- Petra-Zyme Petroleum remediation enzyme solution that increases bacterial activity to break up petroleum particles and works as a surfactant and emulsifier to remove greasy substances from contaminated soil, surface water, and groundwater.
Quantifiable outcome
- Cost savings of up to 80% compared to traditional paved road construction methods
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Substrata
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Substrata technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Substrata partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Substrata competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cypher Environmental: Cypher Environmental manufactures dust control and soil stabilization products for unpaved roads and mining, with a comparable eco-friendly positioning and global distributor model mirroring Substrata's go-to-market.
- Soilworks: Soilworks manufactures dust control and soil stabilization products for unpaved roads, mining, and construction — a directly comparable product line to Substrata's Perma-Zyme and Surfa-Zyme, often positioned as an eco-friendly alternative.
- EnviroTech Services: EnviroTech Services offers dust control and deicing products including the Dust Fyghter and Enviropad lines, competing head-to-head with Substrata's Surfa-Zyme for unpaved road and industrial site applications.
- EOS Remediation: EOS Remediation produces slow-release electron donor technologies for petroleum hydrocarbon remediation — directly competitive with Petra-Zyme in the environmental cleanup vertical.
- Regenesis: Regenesis manufactures bioremediation products for petroleum and groundwater contamination, directly comparable to Substrata's Petra-Zyme petroleum remediation product line.
- Midwest Industrial Supply: Midwest Industrial Supply provides dust control, soil stabilization, and road maintenance products for mining haul roads and unpaved roads — directly competitive with Substrata's mining and government road segments.
Broad incumbents
- Tensar International: Tensar is a large established geosynthetics manufacturer offering soil stabilization solutions for roads and site development — a broader incumbent that competes indirectly with Substrata via mechanical rather than chemical stabilization.
- Sika: Sika is a global specialty chemicals company with a construction division offering concrete admixtures and soil stabilization products — competes with Substrata in road and infrastructure applications as part of a much broader portfolio.
- BASF: BASF's construction chemicals division offers soil stabilization and dust control solutions alongside a vast chemical portfolio — represents the large incumbent competitive threat across multiple Substrata verticals.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Substrata social profiles
Digital presenceSubstrata financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Substrata leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Substrata funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Substrata 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 Substrata
What does Substrata do?
Substrata manufactures and sells enzyme-based biochemical products for soil stabilization, dust control, microbial cleaning, agricultural soil conditioning, and petroleum remediation. Its flagship product, Perma-Zyme, bonds clay-based soil particles to create concrete-like surfaces used for unpaved and paved road construction. The portfolio also includes Bacto-Zyme (microbial cleaning/wastewater), Surfa-Zyme (dust control), Harva-Zyme (agricultural soil conditioning), and Petra-Zyme (petroleum remediation). All products are 100% non-toxic, non-hazardous, and environmentally friendly.
Is Substrata a public or private company?
Substrata is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Substrata founded?
Substrata was founded in 1972. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Substrata based?
Substrata is headquartered in Henderson, United States, in the North America region.
How does Substrata make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Enzyme Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are soil Evaluation Services.
Who are Substrata's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cypher Environmental, Soilworks, EnviroTech Services, EOS Remediation, Regenesis and Midwest Industrial Supply. Broad incumbents are Tensar International, Sika and BASF.
Does Substrata have an API?
No public API is recorded for Substrata.
What industry is Substrata in?
Substrata's product category is Industrial Enzyme / Biochemical Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAAAI, Commodity Surfactants & Detergent Base Chemicals, with a secondary code of AFABAKAI, Mulches & Biodegradable Films (Straw, Paper, Bio-based). Its NAICS code is 3253 and its SIC code is 2800.