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Brian Thompson, Co-founder and CEOWith 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.
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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,” says Brian Thompson, co-founder and CEO
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.
Advancing Practical Soil Performance Through Enzyme-Based Innovation
People who grow crops are under a lot of pressure to get the most out of the nutrients they use and to keep their costs down. This is a deal in farming today. Farmers are looking closely at their fertilizer plans because the prices of the things they sell can change a lot they have to follow stricter rules to protect the environment and they want to make sure they are getting a good return on every acre of land they farm.
Because of this farmers are trying a lot of ways to keep their soil healthy.. Some of the products they use that are based on living things can be hard to work with. They might be sensitive to heat or cold they might not work well in the field and they can be hard to apply. Farmers who want to use methods to keep their soil healthy are looking for products that are easy to use and do not make their work more complicated.
This has changed the way people who run farms and farming companies think about the products they use to help their crops grow. It is not about whether the product works or not. It is also about whether it's reliable whether it works well with the other products they use and whether it can be used on a large scale. Farmers do not want to use products that're hard to handle or that might not work very well. They especially do not want to use these products when the timing of when they're applied is very important.
There is a difference between products that use living things like microbes and products that use enzymes. Microbes are like living things that can help the soil but they can be unpredictable. They have to be able to survive in the soil and compete with living things, which can be hard. This can make it hard for farmers to know if they are going to work or not. Enzymes on the hand are, like helpers that make the soil work better. They do this by speeding up the processes that happen in the soil.
Another important thing is whether the products can be made and used on a scale. Companies that sell products to farmers have to make sure their products work well are easy to store and use and can be used with the products farmers already use. Farmers want to know if the companies that make these products have the knowledge and expertise to help them if they have any problems.
Elemental Enzymes is a company that has found a way to stand out from the rest. They make products that use enzymes to help the soil. They are designed to work with the fertilizers and seeds that farmers already use. They do not use living microbes so their products are more predictable and easier to use. This has made it easier for farmers and the companies that sell to them to use these products without having to change the way they do things. Elemental Enzymes has also done a lot of research. Can adapt their products to meet the needs of their customers, which has helped them grow quickly in the United States.
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Company
Elemental Enzymes
Management
Brian Thompson, Co-founder and CEO
Description
Elemental Enzymes is a biotechnology company specializing in enzyme- and peptide-based solutions that enhance nutrient uptake, soil health, and crop performance. Its proprietary, field-proven products integrate easily into existing programs and deliver consistent results across diverse conditions, offering growers a simpler, more effective alternative to traditional microbial-based biological inputs.
