For immediate release — 12 May 2026
Nitrogen Fixation at Scale — US & Canadian trials start for biggest global agri breakthrough in 70 years
In a nutshell: EL-I Tech™ is the biggest global agricultural breakthrough in 70 years — a biological engine that delivers nitrogen to crops with zero energy drain on the plant, replacing up to 220 lbs of conventional fertilizer per acre with 0.1 lb of EL-I Tech™ and significantly improving biomass and yield, with US and Canadian trials starting now.
Summary of key points
- Plant-Independent Nitrogen Fixation: EL-I Tech™ is the first technology globally to achieve scalable, continuous nitrogen fixation that does not rely on the host plant, representing the most significant agricultural advancement in decades.
- Massive Cost Savings & Efficiency: A single 0.1 lb per acre application of EL-I Tech™ can replace up to 220 lbs of conventional fertilizer, stabilizing input programs and lowering transport costs.
- Proven Performance: The technology has been validated across more than 1,000,000 acres globally and delivers outcomes such as a 75% profit increase in corn, 54% profit increase in sunflowers, and a 35–38% yield increase in citrus.
- Triple-Action Benefits: Beyond yield, it converts greenhouse gases into plant-available nitrogen, improves soil structure, and enhances crop resilience.
- Seamless Integration: The technology is 100% natural, non-GMO, and integrates effortlessly into existing fertilizer systems — including liquid, granular blending, and seed-coat mixes — with no new equipment required.
Full release
EL-I Tech™, the first technology globally to achieve plant-independent nitrogen fixation at scale, represents the most significant agricultural advancement in the last few decades. It offers a strategic opportunity for agricultural input manufacturers seeking to strengthen fertilizer portfolios, improve nitrogen efficiency and deliver measurable, market-shifting value to growers.
U.S. and Canadian trials for EL-I Tech™ are now underway, giving early adopters the opportunity to evaluate a technology already proven across more than 400,000 hectares (1,000,000 acres) under real-world farming conditions.
Developed by a biotechnology company with 25 years of innovation expertise, EL-I Tech™ is powered by a perfected symbiosis between autotrophs and diazotrophs. This unique microbial partnership enables continuous, plant-independent nitrogen fixation with zero energy drain on the plant. For manufacturers, this provides a reliable, science-backed biological engine that enhances the performance of existing fertilizer products while also functioning as a highly effective standalone solution.
A single 0.1 lb per acre application of EL-I Tech™ replaces up to 220 pounds of conventional fertilizer per acre, improving nitrogen-use efficiency, stabilizing input programs, lowering transport costs and reducing risk for both manufacturers and growers.
The technology has been validated across multiple continents, seasons, climatic conditions, soil types, and production systems — including hydroponics — with consistent success in corn, soybeans, sunflowers, citrus, potatoes, peanuts, blueberries and wheat.
Performance results
- 75% profit increase in corn
- 54% profit increase in sunflowers
- 35–38% yield increase in citrus
- 13% yield increase in potatoes
- 30% biomass increase and 10% chlorophyll increase in wheat
- 100% nitrogen satisfaction in hydroponic blueberries, with excess nitrogen fixed in the substrate
- A 300-hectare (740 acre) dryland wheat trial producing 4.5 tons/ha (66.9 bushels/acre) vs. the regional average of 2 tons/ha (28.75 bushels/acre)
These outcomes translate into stronger product differentiation, higher customer retention and greater portfolio resilience in a market increasingly shaped by nitrogen volatility, regulatory pressure, as well as demand for sustainable, high-performance solutions.
Beyond yield, EL-I Tech™ converts greenhouse gases into plant-available nitrogen, improves soil structure, and enhances crop resilience. Its triple-action biological performance includes:
- Plant-independent nitrogen fixation (EL-I Tech™)
- Phosphorus and potassium liberation (sParK Tech)
- Hydrocarbon remediation (Carbon Crushers)
The technology is 100% natural, non-GMO, biologically safe and poses no risk to soil microbiology, crops, humans, or animals. It is engineered for scalability, with extremely low application volumes, a 24-month shelf life in dormant form, and activation within minutes once in the soil.
EL-I Tech™ integrates seamlessly into existing fertilizer systems and can be used as a nitrogen enhancer, extender, or replacement — including liquid integration, granular blending and coating, water-soluble integration, compost enrichment, wettable powders, and seed-coat mixes. No new equipment is required, and manufacturers retain full compatibility with UAN, urea, ammonium systems and precision-ag programs.
In addition, the technology also shows immense potential in environmental remediation, wastewater remediation, turf and landscaping, as well as forestry.
EL-I Tech™ is actively engaging with U.S. and Canadian regulators, researchers, manufacturers, distributors and growers. Comprehensive scientific data, safety documentation and independent analyses are available on the EL-I.tech website.
To contact the EL-I Tech™ team, and for more information, case studies, partnership opportunities, and access to exclusive U.S. and Canadian trials, visit el-i.tech.
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Notes to editors
Why EL-I Tech™ is perfectly timed for U.S. and Canadian markets: Agriculture across the United States and Canada is undergoing one of the most complex transitions in modern history. Input costs remain volatile, nitrogen programs are under pressure, international tensions could impact nitrogen supply, labor shortages are reshaping operations and growers are being asked to produce more with fewer passes, fewer people and tighter margins. The full press release PDF carries the complete editor's notes section — download via the fact-sheet button at the top of this page.
About Custom Chemistry and EL-I Tech™
Custom Chemistry, a South African biotechnology company specializing in the practical application of microorganisms, has developed what many analysts consider the most significant agricultural breakthrough in 70 years. Its technologies are already in extensive use across Southern Africa and are now expanding globally. The company is the only licensed EL-I Tech™ manufacturer in the world and ensures a reliable supply of high-quality active ingredients on behalf of EL-I Tech™.