ICL Partners with BioPrime to Launch Advanced Biofertilizer Solutions in India

Key Takeaways:

• ICL has entered into a long-term strategic partnership with BioPrime to commercialize biofertilizer solutions in India using BioPrime’s BioNexus platform.
• The collaboration marks ICL’s entry into microbial biofertilizers in India and BioPrime’s first commercialization of proprietary strains.
• India spends nearly ₹1.8 lakh crore annually on fertilizer subsidies; biofertilizer adoption could reduce costs by over ₹3,500 crore annually.
• Initial focus will be on phosphorus and zinc efficiency, addressing major soil nutrient challenges in Indian agriculture.

ICL Enters India’s Biofertilizer Segment with BioPrime

ICL, a global leader in crop nutrition, announced a long-term strategic partnership with BioPrime, an agri-biologicals innovator, to bring advanced soil and crop health solutions to Indian farmers. The collaboration will leverage BioPrime’s BioNexus platform to launch microbial biofertilizers at scale.

This partnership marks ICL’s first entry into microbial biofertilizers in India, adding a new high-growth vertical to its crop nutrition portfolio. For BioPrime, the collaboration represents the first commercialization of its proprietary microbial strains, developed through years of research in the BioNexus Library.

Addressing Fertilizer Subsidy and Import Dependence

India currently spends nearly ₹1.8 lakh crore annually on fertilizer subsidies, with high import dependence contributing to rising costs. Even a 2% reduction in subsidy expenditure through biofertilizer adoption could save over ₹3,500 crore annually.

The biofertilizer market in India is valued at USD 145 million and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.5%. With increasing policy support for sustainable inputs, the segment is one of the fastest-growing in Indian agriculture.

Focus on Nutrient Use Efficiency

The initial phase of the ICL–BioPrime partnership will focus on enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE), targeting phosphorus and zinc—two critical and costly nutrients for Indian farmers.

• Phosphorus (P): India consumes nearly 12% of global phosphate but remains heavily import-dependent. Due to soil conditions, up to 85% of applied phosphorus becomes locked or leached, reducing efficiency.
• Zinc (Zn): Around 48% of Indian soils are zinc-deficient, a figure expected to rise to 63% in coming years, particularly in Southern India.

By leveraging ICL’s expertise in crop nutrition and BioPrime’s microbial innovations, the partnership aims to improve nutrient uptake, reduce fertilizer wastage, and enhance soil fertility.

Strategic Perspectives

Renuka Karandikar, Co-founder & CEO of BioPrime AgriSolutions, highlighted the partnership’s significance: “At BioPrime, our mission has always been to harness the power of biology to solve agriculture’s toughest challenges. We consider our partnership with ICL a very strategic and significant step forward. ICL’s support gives us the scale, expertise, and reach to bring our pioneering BioNexus platform to millions of farmers in India.”

Mr. Anant Kulkarni, Country Lead at ICL Growing Solutions India, emphasized the company’s sustainability focus: “ICL is committed to advancing sustainable agriculture in India with innovative biofertilizers that enhance resilience, productivity, and soil health. We see biofertilizers as a key driver of the future of farming—combining innovation with environmental responsibility to support India’s food security and growth.”

Outlook for Growth For ICL & BioPrime

Industry estimates suggest the partnership could accelerate both companies’ growth trajectory by 10–20 times in the biofertilizers segment over the coming years. With ICL’s established distribution network and BioPrime’s proprietary technology, the collaboration positions both companies to play a central role in shaping India’s shift towards sustainable crop inputs.