Top 10 Companies in the Slow Release Gardening Fertilizer Industry (2025): Market Leaders Cultivating Greener Growth

In Business Insights
November 08, 2025

The Global Slow Release Gardening Fertilizer Market was valued at USD 2.45 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 3.68 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.1% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust growth is being driven by increasing consumer demand for sustainable gardening practices, the expansion of urban green spaces, and the rising adoption of precision agriculture techniques that require efficient nutrient management.

As the horticulture and agriculture industries shift towards more environmentally conscious and efficient nutrient delivery systems, the focus intensifies on the key manufacturers and suppliers pioneering advanced fertilizer technologies. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Slow Release Gardening Fertilizer Industry—a dynamic mix of global chemical giants, specialized agritech firms, and regional leaders shaping the future of plant nutrition.

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🔟 1. ICL Group Ltd.

Headquarters: Tel Aviv, Israel
Key Offering: Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRF), Specialty Plant Nutrition Solutions

ICL Group is a leading global specialty minerals company and a major force in the controlled-release fertilizer market. Their innovative product lines, such as Osmocote and Agnote, are renowned for their precise nutrient release profiles, catering to professional growers, landscapers, and serious home gardeners worldwide.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investing in polymer-coated urea technology to reduce nutrient leaching

  • Commitment to sustainable sourcing and reducing environmental footprint

  • Development of bio-based coating materials for fertilizers


9️⃣ 2. Nutrien Ltd. (Agrium)

Headquarters: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Key Offering: ESN Smart Nitrogen, Sustane Natural Fertilizers

Nutrien, formed from the merger of PotashCorp and Agrium, is the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services. Their Environmentally Smart Nitrogen (ESN) is a polymer-coated urea product that reduces nitrogen loss, making it a cornerstone of their slow-release portfolio for both agricultural and horticultural applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Promoting 4R Nutrient Stewardship (Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place)

  • Expanding production capacity for enhanced efficiency fertilizers


8️⃣ 3. J.R. Simplot Company

Headquarters: Boise, Idaho, USA
Key Offering: SIMPLOT Premium Potash & Sulfur Products, Turf & Ornamental Fertilizers

J.R. Simplot is a key player in the North American market, with a strong focus on agribusiness and food production. Their turf and ornamental division offers a range of slow-release fertilizers designed for golf courses, sports fields, and residential lawns, emphasizing reduced application frequency and environmental protection.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Integration of recycled nutrients into fertilizer products

  • Water conservation focus through efficient nutrient management solutions


7️⃣ 4. Haifa Group

Headquarters: Haifa, Israel
Key Offering: Multicote Controlled Release Fertilizers, Soluble Fertilizers

Haifa Group is a multinational corporation and a global leader in the field of specialty fertilizers. Their Multicote line offers controlled-release nutrition for a wide array of crops and gardening needs, leveraging advanced coating technologies to match nutrient release with plant demand.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of precision nutrition solutions for soilless cultures and protected agriculture

  • Focus on reducing fertilizer waste and improving nutrient use efficiency (NUE)

Download FREE Sample Report:
Slow Release Gardening Fertilizer Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Kingenta Ecological Engineering Group Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Linshu, Shandong, China
Key Offering: Slow/Controlled Release Fertilizers, Water-Soluble Fertilizers

Kingenta is one of China’s largest and most innovative fertilizer companies, with a significant global footprint. They are a major producer of resin-coated slow-release fertilizers and have extensive R&D capabilities focused on creating products that minimize environmental impact while maximizing crop yield.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering green development within China’s fertilizer industry

  • Large-scale production of environmentally friendly fertilizer products


5️⃣ 6. OCI Nitrogen

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Urea-based Fertilizers, UAN Solutions

OCI Nitrogen is a leading European nitrogen fertilizer producer. While its core strength lies in bulk nitrogen products, it is increasingly involved in the value chain for enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, including those with urease and nitrification inhibitors that act as slow-release mechanisms, which are crucial for both agriculture and horticulture.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in technologies to decarbonize fertilizer production

  • Focus on producing fertilizers that contribute to lower carbon footprint farming


4️⃣ 7. Florikan ESLA

Headquarters: Sarasota, Florida, USA
Key Offering: Precision-Release Polymer-Coated Fertilizers

Florikan is a specialist manufacturer of controlled-release fertilizers, primarily serving the nursery, greenhouse, and landscaping industries. Their products are known for a unique double-layer coating that provides a highly predictable nutrient release pattern based solely on temperature, making them a favorite among professional growers.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Designing fertilizers to significantly reduce nutrient runoff into waterways

  • Commitment to manufacturing products that support the health of fragile ecosystems like the Everglades


3️⃣ 8. Central Glass Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Ureaform (UF), IBDU-based Slow-Release Fertilizers

Central Glass is a major Japanese chemical company with a strong fertilizer division. They are a leading producer of Isobutylidene diurea (IBDU), a non-coated, chemically slow-release nitrogen fertilizer prized in professional horticulture for its consistent performance and low salinity index.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of advanced chemical compound fertilizers for sustainable agriculture

  • Focus on high-efficiency products tailored for the Asian market


2️⃣ 9. Harrell’s, LLC

Headquarters: Lakeland, Florida, USA
Key Offering: Custom-Blended Specialty Fertilizers for Turf and Ornamentals

Harrell’s is a leading distributor and formulator of turf and ornamental products in the United States. They provide a wide range of polymer-coated and other slow-release fertilizer options tailored to the specific needs of golf courses, sports fields, and landscapers, emphasizing quality and consistent results.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Formulating products that align with Best Management Practices (BMPs) for environmental protection

  • Partnerships with turfgrass institutes to promote responsible nutrient use


1️⃣ 10. JCAM Agri Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Specialty Agrochemicals and Fertilizers, including Slow-Release Formulations

JCAM Agri is a Japanese company specializing in research, development, and marketing of agricultural chemicals and functional fertilizers. They offer innovative slow-release solutions that cater to the high standards of Japanese agriculture and are expanding their reach in international markets.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • R&D focused on creating next-generation, environmentally benign agricultural inputs

  • Development of products that support integrated pest and nutrient management

Get Full Report Here:
Slow Release Gardening Fertilizer Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌱 Outlook: The Future of Plant Nutrition Is Precision and Sustainability

The slow-release gardening fertilizer market is experiencing a significant transformation. While traditional fertilizers remain widely used, the industry is channeling innovation into smart nutrient delivery systems, biodegradable coatings, and customized formulations that align with global sustainability goals.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rising demand for organic and bio-based slow-release fertilizers

  • Integration of digital agriculture tools for precise fertilizer application

  • Stringent government regulations on fertilizer use to protect water quality

  • Growing popularity of urban gardening and indoor planting driving consumer product innovation

Get Full Report Here:
Slow Release Gardening Fertilizer Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not only supplying essential nutrients for plant growth—they are cultivating a greener, more efficient future for global agriculture and horticulture.