EF Polymer: Organic Water Retention
Year: 2018
Founders: Narayan Lal Gurjar, Puran Singh, Shashi Pratap Singh, Budhhi Prakash Gurjar, Ankit Jain
Funding: $11.1 million over 4 rounds; latest Series B round of $6.6 million in April 2025
Investors: Universal Materials Incubator (UMI), MTG Ventures, Beyond Next Ventures, Wismettac, Future Food Fund, Bank of the Ryukyus, ClimateLaunchpad, Imagine H2O, Tatsuya Suzuki, Government of Rajasthan
Introduction
EF Polymer is an award-winning agritech startup established in 2018 in Udaipur, Rajasthan, aiming for a global presence with a vision of sustainable agriculture.Designed and developed by a team of young entrepreneurs, EF Polymer addresses agriculture’s largest issue—water shortage—by manufacturing 100% organic and biodegradable super-absorbent polymers (SAPs) from wastage fruit peels like orange and banana. These new-generation polymers trap water in the soil, reduce irrigation needs, and improve soil fertility without utilizing chemical synthetic chemicals. The mission of the company is quite straightforward yet potent, empower the farmers of the globe with environmentally friendly tools that enhance productivity and restore natural balance.
Tackling Agricultural Challenges
Soil erosion and water shortage are endangering the livelihood of millions of smallholder farmers mainly in arid and semi-arid areas. Traditional approach utilizes excessive uses of chemical fertilizers and irrigation water, leading to soil erosion and depletion of resources. EF Polymer offers a new solution—organic polymers that are capable of retaining 50 times their weight in water. These polymers not only improve the soil structure but also nutrient retention capability, and minimize the reliance on external inputs. Agro-waste transformed into a beneficial farm aid, EF Polymer also supports the practice of circular economy, solving farm sustainability and organic waste management issues at the same time.
Key Offerings
- Organic Super-Absorbent Polymer (SAP): Made from fruit waste, this certified organic polymer increases water retention, improves soil aeration, and naturally boosts fertility.
- Consultation and Application Services: EF Polymer provides customized soil and crop consultancies to assist the farmers in extracting maximum advantages of its SAPs for various crops and climatic conditions.
- Research & Innovation: The company is continuously exploring alternative natural inputs and developing new biodegradable polymers for varied agricultural applications—from horticulture to dryland farming.
Real Impact
EF Polymer’s biodegradable polymers are changing the face of farming in India and worldwide, with more than 20,000 farmers in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Japan, and the UAE utilizing its technology. The organic SAPs cut irrigation requirements by 30–40% and increase yields with improved soil structure and nutrients retained. Above all, its green innovation, EF Polymer makes the technology affordable and easy to implement, bringing sustainable agriculture within reach of smallholders. Backed by $6.6 million in Series B funding, the company is expanding production facilities, growing its presence in India and Japan, and deepening R&D in circular bio-manufacturing. Its model now serves as a global blueprint for scalable, sustainable agricultural transformation.
Success Story
In the drought-prone district of Jalna, Maharashtra, sugarcane farmer Ajit Pawar faced high irrigation costs and declining yields due to poor soil moisture. After using EF Polymer’s SAP for a season, Ajit saw a 25% increase in yield with 50% less water. He no longer had to depend on diesel pumps as frequently, and the improved soil condition helped reduce fertilizer use. Encouraged by these results, Ajit introduced the product to his FPO, helping over 150 farmers switch to sustainable farming practices. His story echoes a larger shift—where rural India is ready for climate-resilient innovations that actually work on the ground.
Lessons for Agri-Startups
EF Polymer offers crucial takeaways for early-stage AgriTech ventures aiming to scale sustainably:
- Build for Core Problems: Focus on issues like water scarcity and soil degradation that directly impact farmer livelihoods.
- Circular Economy Wins: Turning waste into value—like fruit peels into polymers—can solve multiple challenges at once.
- Science + Simplicity = Scale: EF Polymer’s innovation is deeply scientific yet simple to use, making it ideal for mass adoption.
- Sustainability is Scalable: Eco-friendly doesn’t have to mean expensive or niche. When designed thoughtfully, green products can be viable for smallholders and scalable across geographies.
Stay Informed with Focus Agritech
EF Polymer is not just innovating—it’s restoring balance to agriculture, from soil to society.
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