Okinawa, Japan – EF Polymer, a deep-tech startup developing 100% organic super absorbent polymers, announced that it has raised JPY 1 billion (approx. USD 6.6 million) in the first close of its Series B round.
Founded with a mission to solve global water challenges and improve farmers’ livelihoods, EF Polymer has created a bio-based alternative to petroleum-derived absorbents, helping reduce water and fertilizer use in agriculture while improving yields. Its proprietary materials are also expanding into non-agricultural applications such as cosmetics, personal care, and cold chain solutions.
Accelerating Global Growth
Since launching sales in India in 2020, EF Polymer has delivered products to farmers across Japan, the U.S., and France, achieving over 400 tons in cumulative sales by 2025. Amid rising concerns over drought and fertilizer costs driven by climate change, global demand continues to rise, with commercial trials and partnerships now underway in over 20 countries. To meet this demand, the company plans to strengthen operations in key markets while expanding into new sectors such as horticulture, landscaping, and urban greening.
Driving Green Transformation in New Industries
EF Polymer is also scaling its presence in non-agricultural markets. Recent projects include a biodegradable ice pack Cy-Cool, co-developed with Iwatani Corporation, and absorbent sheets in partnership with Soken Chemical. Its polymer solutions offer a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based ingredients commonly used across industries, contributing to the green transformation (GX) of everyday products.
R&D Focus Areas
EF Polymer will prioritize R&D efforts across the following areas:
- Scaling production: Pilot and implementation of multi-site manufacturing
- Circular manufacturing: Building a closed-loop, sustainable production model
- Raw material innovation: Diversifying sources beyond orange and banana peel
- New product development: Expanding polymer applications outside agriculture
Funding Overview
The funds raised in this round will be used to accelerate R&D, strengthen the team, expand business development activities in Japan and overseas, and establish a new overseas manufacturing facility.
Investors participating in the first close include returning investors Universal Materials Incubator (UMI) and MTG Ventures, as well as new investors Bank of the Ryukyus, Future Food Fund, and Shinryo Fund. EF Polymer plans to complete a second close this summer for the full Series B round.
Narayan Lal Gurjar, Founder and CEO of EF Polymer said: “EF Polymer exists to solve water-related challenges and improve the lives of farmers. We believe our technology can create sustainable impact across many industries. This Series B funding marks a major step forward in scaling our solutions globally and building a truly circular, sustainable business. We’re excited to work with partners who share our vision and to continue creating long-term value for both society and the planet.”
About us
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 ice packs and cosmetics. https://efpolymer.com/