Fertiliser giants bet big on specialty products

India's leading fertiliser manufacturers, such as Coromandel, Deepak Fertilisers, ICL Group and SML, are investing heavily in specialty fertilisers to meet the growing demand from farmers. These specialty products, which include water-soluble and crop-specific formulations, are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to boost yields and optimise nutrient usage. As a result, these companies are expanding their production capacities to meet the rising market demand.

Deepak Fertilisers is modernising its manufacturing facilities and shifting its focus towards offering tailored nutrition solutions for specific crops. Meanwhile, Coromandel International is boosting its capacity for specialty nutrients, including a new mono ammonium phosphate (MAP) plant in Kakinada. Both companies are betting on the increasing pressure to enhance crop yields, save water resources, and cope with climate-related crop stress, along with the potential to increase farmers' incomes.

SC Mehta, chairman and managing director of Deepak Fertilisers, stated that the company is upgrading its NPK plant with the latest technology. The firm has been producing specialty fertilisers for the past five-seven years and has seen growing interest. Coromandel International's specialty nutrients and organic business performed well in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, driven by increased demand in organics and micronutrient segments.

The rise in adoption of specialty nutrients reflects a wider trend in farmers' approach to crop nutrition. Products like micronutrients, organics, and water-soluble fertilisers are gaining traction as farmers seek solutions to improve soil health and help plants withstand stress, especially in the face of rising climate variability.