<aside> 💡 Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Okinawa, Japan, EF Polymer began with a bold vision: to transform agricultural waste into a solution for one of humanity’s most pressing challenges—water scarcity. Using discarded fruit peels such as oranges and bananas, the company has developed a fully biodegradable super-absorbent polymer that retains up to 50 times its weight in water, gradually releasing it to improve soil fertility and reduce irrigation needs by roughly 40%.
From the outset, EF Polymer combined innovation with impact. Partnering with global organizations such as OIST, Tata Trusts, and the Gates Foundation, the company refined its hydrogel technology and demonstrated measurable results on farms in India, Japan, and beyond. By 2023, over 40,000 farmers were already benefiting from this solution, and more than 400 metric tons of polymer had been deployed, upcycling thousands of tons of fruit waste in the process.
The company’s trajectory is fueled by global megatrends: sustainability, circular economy, and climate-smart agriculture. Its technology not only offers a compelling alternative to petroleum-based super-absorbents but also opens doors to adjacent markets such as horticulture, cosmetics, and biodegradable cooling materials. Backed by a USD 6.6 million Series B funding round, EF Polymer is poised to scale production, expand geographically, and strengthen its R&D capabilities.
Challenges which are supposed to remain would be—from scaling manufacturing efficiently to navigating complex regulatory environments and competing with larger agrochemical firms. Yet EF Polymer’s early commercial traction, clear environmental impact, and alignment with global sustainability priorities create a compelling growth story.
In short, EF Polymer is more than a materials company; it is a catalyst for sustainable agriculture and circular economy solutions. We will continue to monitor EF Polymer’s progress with keen interest, anticipating further achievements and meaningful contributions to sustainable innovation.
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ドキュメンタリー 果物の皮から出来た画期的「吸水ポリマー」【日経電子版コラボ第1弾 前編】（2023年12月1日）
An environment-friendly super-absorbent polymer saves farming villages from drought
沖縄スタートアップのEFポリマー、ウクライナへ吸水剤を無償提供