Driving the Future of Sustainable Agriculture with Global Expansion
Okinawa, Japan – EF Polymer (Founder and CEO: Narayan Lal Gurjar), a pioneer in 100% organic and fully biodegradable superabsorbent polymers, announced today reaching a cumulative global sales milestone of 400 tons. This achievement highlights the company’s commitment to advancing sustainable solutions for agriculture and beyond.
Global Sales Summary
Since its market debut in 2020, EF Polymer has focused on delivering solutions to regions severely impacted by drought. Its journey of global expansion includes:
- 2020: Start sales in India
- 2021: Start sales in Japan
- 2023: Start sales in the U.S.
- 2024: Start sales in France
In FY2024, EF Polymer is on track to achieve a fivefold increase in sales compared to the previous fiscal year.
- In India, strategic partnerships with regional agricultural cooperatives, major distributors, and startups have driven steady growth.
- In Japan, sales through JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives) and distributors have expanded, while the company’s e-commerce platform has shown strong performance. Remarkably, EF Polymer recorded sales in all 47 prefectures this fiscal year.
Looking ahead, the demand for water retention agents in agriculture is set to rise as drought-induced water shortages and soaring fertilizer prices impact farmers worldwide. In 2025, EF Polymer aims to strengthen its presence in the United States and France by expanding business development efforts and building robust demonstration test data to showcase its product’s efficacy.
France: A Strategic Market for Growth
This year, EF Polymer entered into a strategic partnership with AgriPro to accelerate the adoption of its sustainable agricultural materials in France. The company’s innovation has already garnered recognition, winning the Silver Award at SIVAL, one of France’s largest agricultural trade fairs, in 2024. Further cementing its position in the market, EF Polymer was awarded first place at the World Living Soils Forum 2024, hosted by Moët Hennessy.
With the support of the LVMH Group, EF Polymer will embark on demonstration tests and corporate collaborations in 2025, marking a significant step in its mission to deliver sustainable solutions globally.
Environmental Impact
EF Polymer has upcycled approximately 4,000 tons of agricultural residue—including discarded orange and banana peels—into valuable products. This initiative not only reduces the environmental burden of waste disposal but also contributes to a circular economy by transforming what was once discarded into a sustainable resource. By offering 100% organic polymers, EF Polymer is helping shift industries that rely heavily on petroleum-based superabsorbent polymers, such as daily necessities and cosmetics, toward more eco-friendly, people- and planet-friendly alternatives.
In 2023, with the help from50 Okinawan companies, EF Polymer donated 5 tons of EF Polymer to agricultural producers in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine. This region was severely impacted by the destruction of irrigation dams during the ongoing war, leading to significant water shortages. Through this donation, EF Polymer’s social impact and commitment to global sustainability have gained international recognition.
Narayan Gurjar, Founder and CEO of EF Polymer, stated, “It’s truly fulfilling to see the technology I first developed as a student to address water scarcity now embraced worldwide, benefiting countless individuals. At EF Polymer, we aim not only to provide products that address the immediate challenges faced by our users but also to foster a future where sustainable manufacturing practices are the global norm. Our ultimate goal is to create a circular economy that extends far beyond agriculture.”
About EF Polymer
EF Polymer is a pioneering deep-tech startup focused on creating 100% organic super absorbent polymers (SAP) made from orange peels. Our product is designed to significantly benefit farmers and reduce production costs, particularly in water and fertilizer usage, while boosting crop yields. Beyond agriculture, we are expanding the impact across industries to integrate our organic SAPs into a range of products, including personal care products and cosmetics.
About our product
EF Polymer is an innovative, 100% organic, and biodegradable super-absorbent polymer made from orange and banana peels. Designed to address water scarcity and improve agricultural efficiency, it acts as a certified soil conditioner, helping farmers grow healthy crops with significantly less water. It reduces irrigation water needs up to 40% and fertilizer use up to 20%, while boosting crop yields. The polymer absorbs 50 times its weight in water and gradually releases moisture to plant roots, maintaining soil hydration and reducing the need for irrigation. EF Polymer is versatile and effective across a wide range of crops, plantations, orchards, and trees, making it an essential tool for sustainable agriculture.