Norwegian natural fertiliser on its way to new markets

Husband and wife Lars Riiser Evju and Janet Narvestad Evju founded Grønn Gjødsel in 2010. They began producing pelleted organic fertiliser to make use of all the raw materials from poultry production. Since then, they have developed their products and portfolio while continuing to turn an environmental problem into a valuable resource. The Østfold-based company has become an important driving force in the development of organic farming in Norway.

The chicken manure is pelletised at the company's own factory in Rakkestad and supplied to customers across Norway, including organic and conventional farms, fruit and berry growers, greenhouses, golf courses, gardeners and others. The company has well-established production and distribution operations serving its core markets in Norway, and is also looking to Sweden, Denmark and Ireland.

‘When we tried to enter the Chinese market, we received invaluable help from Innovation Norway’s Beijing office. We had no experience of the market or the trade regulations that apply. We were almost deceived by a company that wanted to buy the rights to our products,’ says Lars Riiser Evju, CEO of Grønn Gjødsel.

The company received an order from a customer in China. After the container had been shipped and the order paid for, the Chinese company asked for more information and sent over a draft contract. They wanted to sell the product in China. As Grønn Gjødsel was unfamiliar with the Chinese market, they contacted our regional office in Oslo Viken, which brought in our Beijing office. Financial advisor Song Lin, who has extensive experience of the fertiliser market in China, investigated the company. It turned out that the Chinese company intended to manufacture the product itself and use only the Grønn Gjødsel brand.

'Without Innovation Norway, we would not have been able to grow as quickly as we have. We have received financial support and advisory from the outset, which has helped us make some good decisions along the way,' says Evju, adding:

'Thanks to our latest funding from Innovation Norway, which combined a grant and a loan, we have been able to develop pellets that make manure spreading more consistent and efficient.'

Grønn Gjødsel has received support from Innovation Norway and the Research Council of Norway for several years. In 2009, the company received a grant to scale up and streamline its fertiliser production, and it has now been given the opportunity to build a new production line. Throughout this period, the company has focused on development to reach a broader customer base and enter more markets.

The company received the Entrepreneur Award from Sparebankene Indre Østfold in 2013. In 2015, Dagens Næringsliv named it Østfold’s Gazelle Company of the Year. In autumn 2019, it won our regional Business Development Award (the BU Award) in Østfold, and in January 2020, it received the national BU Award of NOK 250,000 in Berlin.

'Grønn Gjødsel has demonstrated the commitment and ability to continuously develop new, sustainable fertiliser products based on biological waste. The company is leading the way in the circular use of resources while delivering impressive growth and profitability. It has built an exciting business with significant international potential,' said Kristin Willoch Haugen, EVP of Innovation Norway Oslo Viken, when presenting the regional Business Development Award in 2019.

Grønn Gjødsel is considering joining our strategic programme for international market development in 2022. By taking part, the company can share experiences with other international businesses and gain access to tools and methods that support better market decisions. It will gain deeper market insight, learn how to prepare its organisation and develop export offerings that ensure its solution meets the needs and market conditions of a new market. This can support more efficient and profitable international growth.