Fertiberia expands NSAFE bio-inhibitor to Netherlands and Germany in first Northern European launch

Fertiberia has launched its NSAFE bio-inhibitor technology in the Netherlands and Germany, marking the product’s first expansion into Northern European markets. Van de Reijt, the Dutch subsidiary of Grupo Fertiberia, will lead commercialization in both countries, according to World Fertilizer.

NSAFE is described by Fertiberia as the world’s first bio-based nitrification inhibitor. Unlike conventional synthetic inhibitors that act on ammoniacal nitrogen (NH₄⁺), the Fertiberia NSAFE bio-inhibitor targets nitric nitrogen (NO₃⁻) directly. The microbiological product assimilates nitrate into its organic structure as protein and releases it as organic nitrogen at the end of its life cycle, the company said. The mechanism is designed to reduce nitrogen losses from leaching and volatilization while preserving soil microbial biodiversity.

The bio-inhibitor emerged from more than 6 years of research and has been validated in laboratory and field trials conducted with European research institutions including Wageningen University (Netherlands), Ghent University (Belgium), the Technical University of Madrid, the University of León, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and AGROSOLUTION (France).

Fertiberia first launched NSAFE in Spain in early 2024, integrated into its Nergetic DZ+ fertilizer product line. The company has since expanded the technology to France, Portugal, and Greece. The Netherlands and Germany expansion aligns with the EU’s tightening nitrogen regulations under the Nitrate Directive, which is pushing European farmers toward more efficient fertilizer application.

Minnesota’s recently announced $1.6 million program to subsidize farmer access to enhanced-efficiency nitrogen products illustrates similar regulatory and policy momentum on both sides of the Atlantic.

Source: World Fertilizer