AgroBiogel
AgroBiogel GmbH develops and manufactures innovative, sustainable lignin-based hydrogels (RETENTIS®) for efficient water and nutrient storage in soil, supporting agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.
About
AgroBiogel GmbH, founded in 2021 as a spin-off of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), is based in Tulln, Austria. The company focuses on developing and producing innovative, environmentally-friendly, and fully organic soil amendment solutions for agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and substrates. Their flagship product, RETENTIS®, is a patented lignin-based hydrogel that increases the water and nutrient storage capacity of soils, boosts crop yields, enhances plant resilience to drought, and improves soil fertility. RETENTIS® is made from lignin, a natural by-product of the pulp industry, and is certified for organic farming. AgroBiogel's solutions contribute to a circular economy and sustainable land management, addressing challenges posed by climate change and water scarcity. The company is supported by industry partners, EU innovation councils, and operates a growing team of multidisciplinary experts.
Products & Services
- RETENTIS® hydrogel granulate for water and nutrient retention in soil
- Application-specific RETENTIS® Calc dosage tools
- RETENTIS® in soil improvement for agriculture and horticulture
- RETENTIS® for home and garden use
- RETENTIS® for landscaping and urban greenery
- Solutions for forestry and nurseries
- Custom packaging and bulk supply (750g, 20kg, pallets, big bags)
- Training and partner support programs
- White-label and collaboration solutions
Use Cases & Case Studies
- Drought stress experiment with beech seedlings (13 days extended vitality)
- Efficient reforestation with RETENTIS® demonstrated at Rottalschau fair
- Field trial with ArboBoost in vineyards for root zone restoration
- Applications in landscaping, agriculture, urban greenery, horticulture, and home gardening
Partnerships & Collaborations
- Witasek (for GroWit® hydrogel collaboration in forestry)
- Andrea Heistinger (bio gardening expert for product application and outreach)
- ArboBoost (collaboration on innovative root zone enhancement in vineyards)
- BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
- Gadermair (demonstrations at Rottalschau fair)
- Austria Wirtschaftsservice (AWS)
- European Innovation Council (EIC)
- Austrian Center of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB)
Awards & Recognition
- Lower Austrian Export Prize 2024 (category: New Exporters)
- Austrian Founding Prize Phönix
- EY Scale Up Award
Contact Information
Certifications & Compliance
- Certified for organic farming (Austria, EU, Germany, Spain) according to EU Organic Regulation No. 2018/848 and BIO AUSTRIA standard
- Registered under Austrian Fertilizer Ordinance §9 DMG 2021
- Listed in FiBL input list (EU)
- Compliant with EU Regulation 2019/515