April 3, Kingenta Group marked a major milestone with the launch of its global controlled-release fertilizer initiative in Bern, the Netherlands, alongside the official unveiling of its first European model factory. Powered entirely by Chinese innovation, this facility is China's first overseas controlled-release fertilizer plant and marks the first time Chinese fertilizer technology has been exported to Europe. Culminating 20 years of rapid development, this achievement demonstrates how China's controlled-release fertilizer technology has successfully leapfrogged Western counterparts to become a global industry leader.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by key figures including Kingenta Group President Wan Peng, Vice President Dong Zhizhong, National Controlled-Release Fertilizer Engineering Technology Research Center Technical Advisor Jia Liang, and Dehua Holland General Manager Martin Dekker, alongside Dehua Holland employees and media representatives.
Industry Leadership and Global Reach
Kingenta is the world's largest controlled-release fertilizer manufacturer. It has led the drafting of numerous Chinese industry standards, national standards, and two international standards. Holding 158 global invention patents, the company is a three-time recipient of the National Science and Technology Award, representing China's highest technological honor. Its partner, Dehua Holland, is one of the leading controlled-release fertilizer producers in Europe, serving major agricultural regions across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.
"The Dutch model factory combines the advantages of both China and Europe," said Wan Peng at the ceremony. "It features advanced technology, large production capacity, rich product lines, and low production costs, and its products have already entered the European market." He noted that as a core European Union member, the Netherlands maintains stringent technical and environmental standards for fertilizers. Successfully establishing the factory here not only proves the international competitiveness of China's controlled-release technology but also creates a strategic foothold to serve the broader European market.
Martin Dekker highlighted the global shift toward sustainability. "In the EU, sustainable agriculture is a top political issue. Currently, 95% of fertilizers are non-coated. Even a shift of just a few percentage points represents massive growth for the controlled-release market over the next decade," Dekker explained. "As a Kingenta model factory, we are coordinating both domestic and overseas development. Through comprehensive multi-field cooperation, we will jointly create a brighter future for agriculture."
A Three-Tiered Strategy for Global Expansion Choosing the Netherlands—one of the world's most agriculturally advanced nations—as its first stop underscores Kingenta’s commitment to sharing Chinese technology globally. Moving forward, Kingenta plans to use the European model factory as a launchpad to accelerate technology exports across three levels, empowering global food security and ecological protection:
1 Global Tech Sharing: Promoting controlled-release technology in friendly nations along the Belt and Road, including regions in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia, using a "technology licensing + localized production + service export" model.
2 Overseas Model Factories: Accelerating global adoption by building demonstration factories and providing complete, ready-to-use technology packages.
3 Bridges for Global Cooperation: Using these international bases to foster communication, strengthen global partnerships, and bring excellent foreign industrial development models back to empower Chinese agriculture.
From Import to Innovation Over 20 years ago, controlled-release fertilizer technology was primarily controlled by Western companies. In 2006, through strategic introduction and independent innovation, Kingenta built China's first large-scale production line, transforming an expensive foreign product into an accessible national fertilizer. Today, Chinese fertilizer companies have transitioned from relying on the world to leading it, forging a path of scientific self-reliance.
"Kingenta now possesses the world's best technology in the field of controlled-release fertilizers," stated Dong Zhizhong. "Next, we will continue to recruit promotion ambassadors and launch targeted domestic initiatives, such as the 'one county, one product, one plan' and 'one county, one household' service plans, contributing Kingenta's solutions to the advancement of both Chinese and global agriculture."
