Fertum By Patbio

What Fertum By Patbio does

Patagonia Biotecnología SpA, operating commercially as FERTUM by PatBio, is a Chilean agricultural biotechnology company founded in 1998 and headquartered in Puerto Montt (Los Lagos Region). The company develops and manufactures biostimulants, biofertilizers, nutritional correctors, microbial consortia, and specialty crop products derived from extracts of four native Patagonian seaweed species — Macrocystis pyrifera, Durvillaea antarctica, Ulva lactuca, and Pyropia columbina — harvested from the cold Humboldt Current. Its proprietary, patented extraction process applies controlled physical stress to harvested algae before processing in order to stimulate defense-metabolism pathways and maximize bioactive compound yield, producing a synergistic blend of polysaccharides, mannitol, betaines, phytohormone precursors, and macro/micro elements. The product portfolio is commercialized under the FERTUM® trademark across five categories: biostimulants (BOOSTER, BOOSTER PLUS, FOLIAR), soil and root solutions (BIOFERT PLUS, ADVANCE), nutritional correctors, microbial consortia, and specialties (SILICIO, FROST BLOCKER).

Fertum serves commercial fruit, nut, berry, and vegetable producers as well as agronomic advisors, with documented use cases in blueberries, cherries, walnuts, hazelnuts, citrus, avocado, and stone fruit. The company monetizes through one-time product sales priced regionally, with no public pricing disclosed and customer acquisition driven by direct field engagement, demonstration trials, video testimonials, and agronomic content. Distribution is hybrid: a domestic exclusive partnership with Martínez y Valdivia (M&V, signed April 2024) handles Chilean commercialization, while international reach is delivered through direct exports and local partners across Peru, Ecuador, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and China (with the Chinese market entry approved in 2025 after a four-year-plus registration process). Six organic and sustainability certifications (OMRI, ECOCERT, BCS Öko Garantie for NOP/EU, SAG, JAS, B Corp) underpin both organic-segment access and ESG positioning.

Since 2023, Fertum has been majority-owned (51%) by Italy's SICIT Group, a peptide- and amino-acid-based biostimulant leader controlled by NB Renaissance and Intesa Holding. The transaction supplied capital, an EU commercial foothold through Italy, and a strategic rationale for plant-based biostimulant portfolio diversification. Fertum additionally maintains a strategic alliance with Huiro Regenerativo (Corfo-supported) to secure sustainable upstream algae supply and train artisanal fishers. Manufacturing is anchored at the Río Chico plant in Puerto Montt, near the algae source.

Name

Fertum By Patbio

Legal name

Patagonia Biotecnología Spa

Website

https://patbio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Fertum By Patbio is a Chilean agricultural biotechnology company (Puerto Montt) that develops and manufactures biostimulants, biofertilizers, and specialty crop products from extracts of four Patagonian seaweed species, serving fruit, nut, and berry producers across Chile and eight export markets; 51% owned by Italy's SICIT Group since 2023.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Puerto Montt

HQ country

Chile

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Agricultural bioestimulants and fertilizers: Sale of bioestimulant products based on algae extracts for crop resilience, including FERTUM BOOSTER, FERTUM FOLIAR, and other product lines for soil, root, nutritional correction, and microbial consortia applications.
2. International exports: Export of products to 8 countries including Peru, Ecuador, USA, Mexico, Guatemala, and China with first container shipments to Mexico (6 containers) and Guatemala (US$100,000 initial export).

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

PatBio develops and manufactures the FERTUM® line of agricultural biostimulants, soil and root solutions, nutritional correctors, microbial consortia, and specialty products derived from a proprietary blend of four Patagonian seaweed species. The products are formulated for use in both organic and conventional agriculture to improve crop resilience against abiotic stress (drought, salinity, temperature extremes, wind) and to enhance nutrient absorption, root development, and yield.

Product overview

Fertum By PatBio is an agricultural biotechnology company that offers a comprehensive portfolio of bioestimulant and crop nutrition products derived from extracts of four Patagonian algae species (Macrocystis pyrifera, Durvillaea antarctica, Ulva lactuca, and Pyropia columbina). The FERTUM® product line is organized into five main categories: (1) Bioestimulantes - algae-based biostimulants for various crop stages; (2) Suelo y raíz - soil health and rooting solutions; (3) Correctores nutricionales - mineral nutritional correctors; (4) Consorcios microbianos - beneficial microbial products; and (5) Especialidades - specialty products for specific crop protection and silicon needs. The products are designed to improve crop resilience against abiotic stress (drought, temperature extremes, wind, salinity), enhance nutrient absorption, and promote sustainable soil regeneration. PatBio operates as part of SICIT GROUP and has expanded to international markets including Peru, Ecuador, USA, Mexico, Guatemala, and China.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FERTUM: Product line of bioestimulants, soil and root solutions, nutritional correctors, microbial consortia, and specialty products derived from Patagonian seaweed extracts.

Products and services

• FERTUM® Bioestimulantes Line of biostimulants combining multiple algae extract variants delivering specific solutions for each stage of crop development. Targeted at farmers and agricultural advisors across fruit, nut, berry, citrus, and avocado crops in organic and conventional systems.
• FERTUM® Suelo y Raíz Living soil solutions, rooting products, and soil amendments that form the foundation for maximizing crop potential. Targeted at farmers and agricultural producers seeking soil microbiology and root development support.
• FERTUM® Correctores Nutricionales Complete range of minerals complexed with carboxylic acids for nutritional correction in crops. Targeted at farmers needing targeted mineral correction (e.g., magnesium, zinc, boron) to address nutrient deficiencies.
• FERTUM® Consorcios Microbianos Beneficial microbial products that work in crop development and resilience, including FERTUM ADVANCE. Targeted at farmers seeking to improve soil microbiology and reduce fertilization costs.
• FERTUM® Especialidades Specialty products developed for specific crops and to address protection needs against environmental conditions or damage, including protection products, silicons, and others. Targeted at farmers needing targeted protection against frost, wind, and other abiotic threats.
• FERTUM BOOSTER® Biostimulant product used during flowering stages and beyond, providing reliable response against abiotic stress and favorable price-quality ratio. Targeted at fruit, nut, citrus, and avocado producers for use during flowering and growth stages.
• FERTUM FOLIAR® Foliar application biostimulant from the organic product line, used for leaf absorption and crop nutrition. Targeted at organic and conventional farmers seeking certified organic foliar nutrition.
• FERTUM® NPK Fertilizer product that replaced entire fertilization programs for some walnut producers, supplying primary N-P-K nutrients. Targeted at nut and fruit producers seeking simplified fertilizer programs.
• FERTUM BIOFERT PLUS® Biofertilizer product used in combination with FERTUM ADVANCE for soil health; users have reported 50% savings on fertilization costs. Targeted at farmers seeking cost-efficient soil regeneration and biofertilization.
• FERTUM MACROFRUT Product used to improve fruit quality, applied typically after other products such as FERTUM BOOSTER. Targeted at fruit producers seeking enhanced quality and marketable yield.
• FERTUM BOOSTER PLUS Enhanced version of FERTUM BOOSTER validated in 2-year citrus and avocado advisory trials, demonstrating productive and physiological differences versus top competitor products. Targeted at citrus and avocado producers and their advisors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% savings on fertilization costs reported by Pablo Labbé using FERTUM ADVANCE and BIOFERT PLUS program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Martínez y Valdivia (M&V)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2024Distribution agreement signed April 2024 with Chile's leading agricultural products distributor. M&V identified FERTUM as high-quality product line with attractive market projection. Rebeca Gálvez emphasized strategic alignment with quality and sustainability values.
• Huiro RegenerativocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Strategic alliance with Huiro Regenerativo, led by Dr. María José de la Fuente with Corfo support for high technology. Collaboration aims to develop sustainable algae cultivation respecting genetic diversity and training artisanal fishermen in sustainable practices.
• ProChileflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership with Chilean trade promotion agency since 2018 providing support for understanding market entry barriers and product registration processes in other countries. Participation in commercial missions to Peru, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SICIT Group: Italian biostimulant leader producing amino acid and peptide-based products from animal-derived hydrolysates, now a 51% parent of PatBio. Comparable as a global biostimulant platform with overlapping customer base (fruit, vegetable growers) and complementary (rather than identical) mode of action — animal protein vs. algae extract biostimulants.
• Tradecorp (Rovensa): Spanish biostimulant and crop nutrition specialist (part of Rovensa Group) with a global footprint including Latin America. Comparable as a multi-product biostimulant company targeting fruit and vegetable growers in the same export markets (Mexico, Peru, Ecuador) as Fertum.
• UPL Corporation: Global ag-input major with an extensive biologicals portfolio including biostimulants, biofertilizers, and biocontrol products. Comparable as an incumbent expanding into the same biological/biostimulant category, with established distribution networks in Latin America, USA, and Asia where Fertum is targeting growth.
• Biolchim: Italian biostimulant and specialty fertilizer manufacturer offering a broad portfolio of plant nutrition and biostimulation products across Europe and globally. Comparable as a multi-category biostimulant supplier serving similar fruit and horticulture growers with overlapping product lines (foliar, root, soil health).
• Valagro (Syngenta Biologicals): Italian-origin biostimulant specialist (acquired by Syngenta) producing seaweed and microbial-based products for global crop markets. Comparable as a major established biostimulant brand selling similar algae-based technologies into horticulture, with vastly larger scale and parent-company distribution synergies.

Direct peers

• Algaia: French seaweed ingredient company producing algae extracts for agriculture, food, and personal care applications. Comparable in raw material (seaweed extracts), B2B ingredients portfolio, and presence in plant nutrition, and increasingly positioned as a biostimulant competitor to Fertum in EU markets.
• Olmix Group: French seaweed-based solutions company producing biostimulants, soil conditioners and animal care products from algae extracts. Comparable as a vertically integrated algae processor selling branded biostimulants into European and global fruit and vegetable markets, competing head-to-head in the plant biostimulant category.
• Kelpak: South African manufacturer of biostimulants from Ecklonia maxima seaweed, with global distribution focused on fruit, vegetable and broadacre crops. Highly comparable as a single-species algae extract biostimulant brand sold into similar horticulture channels as Fertum.
• Acadian Seaplants: Canadian leader in seaweed-based agricultural biostimulants and animal nutrition products derived from Ascophyllum nodosum. Directly comparable to Fertum as a multi-product, multi-species algae extract platform serving row crops, fruits, and turf globally with similar biostimulant value proposition.
• BioAtlantis: Irish biotech producing seaweed-extract biostimulants (e.g., Super Fifty, RootMax) targeted at abiotic stress tolerance and crop quality. Closely comparable in positioning, technology (algae-based biostimulants), and target crops (fruits, vegetables, broadacre), and competes directly in the EU and Latin American markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/patagonia-biotecnologia-spa

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fertum By Patbio