Elemental Enzymes

Did you know that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommended way to measure soil health is to measure soil microbe enzyme activity? Imagine being able to enhance that activity directly by adding concentrated enzymes.

With Elemental Enzymes, that becomes possible.

Most biologicals on the market rely on live microbes to generate enzymes in the soil. But these microbes are rarely application-ready. They often require cold storage, careful mixing or separate tanks because they break down under typical fertilizer conditions like high pH or elevated temperatures or are incompatible with many other chemicals commonly used by farmers. Elemental solves this with its patented enzymes and enzyme stabilizing technologies so they can be blended directly into fertilizers, stored under normal conditions and applied using standard grower equipment with no additional complications.

This compatibility allows manufacturers to boost the biological performance in their fertilizer blends without asking growers to change practices. Since the enzymes stay active and are easy to apply, they improve nutrient availability and uptake. This can enable up to 20 percent fertilizer savings and reduce costs by as much as 50 dollars per acre, while also supporting higher yields and healthier soil.

“Our microbial enzymes play a key role in healthy, living soil by actively catalyzing chemical reactions that release beneficial soil nutrients that the plants can take up in season. Our enzyme products also increase the ability of the roots to take up these freed nutrients more effectively,” says Brian Thompson, co-founder and CEO.

These enzymes deliver the same level of performance across a variety of environments. That reliability is reflected in a 70 to 80 percent success rate in field trials, which has helped drive adoption to more than 20 million acres across the U.S. in 2025.

To maintain this consistency, Elemental screens enzyme candidates to identify the most effective, stable and compatible options. Each is targeted to specific plant needs, such as converting organic matter in the soil to more available forms so nutrients become more available to roots. This precision strengthens the plant’s natural growth processes and soil health, delivering consistent yield improvements. It also removes the uncertainty of approaches that rely on live microbes, which must first survive and adapt in the soil before producing the right enzymes.

In water-limited regions with nutrient restrictions, Elemental’s products help crops retain moisture and stay productive. The enzymes increase fertilizer uptake without adding compliance challenges or without excess fertilizer costs. This approach turns efficiency into measurable gains. Just two ounces of the company’s enzyme product can match the effect of 78 pounds of urea, improving nitrogen utilization by up to 25 percent.

One distributor saw this impact firsthand. After years of trying to make a microbial seed treatment work, the product remained inconsistent and difficult to manage. Elemental helped them transition to a simpler, more concentrated enzyme solution that blended easily, required less volume and delivered more consistent results. The new formulation improved nutrient use efficiency and eliminated the handling challenges that had stalled adoption. What was once a problem product became a practical and scalable solution.

A strong commitment to research continues to drive the company’s evolution. Elemental has developed 17 commercial products, with many more in the pipeline. Behind this momentum is a highly skilled R&D team known for its agility and depth in enzyme science. They ensure each product is ready for real-world conditions, from screening and selection to field validation. This combination of scientific rigor and field-oriented problem solving allows Elemental to respond quickly to customer needs and continually refine its offerings.

As more growers look for ways to increase performance without increasing complexity, Elemental Enzymes is positioned to play a central role in shaping the next generation of sustainable, practical farming solutions. It is building a future where improved performance, sustainability and ease of use all work together. Every advancement is guided by the same principle that shaped the company, helping agriculture work more efficiently by building on what already works.