VISIONS Magazine (July 2025 Edition)
Looking Forward for Growth: Strategic Investment in DPH Biologicals Expands Sustainable Agribusiness Footprint
pictured above: a cornfield where DPH Biologicals products were used
In a move that underscores its deepening commitment to sustainable agriculture and next-generation crop inputs, SC Americas has announced a new investment in Illinois-based DPH Biologicals, LLC. The partnership marks a pivotal expansion of SC Americas’ agribusiness strategy, emphasizing innovation, environmental stewardship, and global reach in the biological plant nutrition and crop protection space.
Founded in 2018, DPH Bio has quickly established itself as a leading U.S. developer of biological inputs that enhance soil health and crop yield through nature-based solutions. With a nimble team of 32 employees, the company’s core mission is focused on offering efficient, regenerative alternatives and complements to conventional synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Its proprietary technology platforms, RegenAphex® and Prime, and a portfolio of BioControls have shown favorable results in key crops like corn, soybeans, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. These platforms along with DPH Bio’s developmental capabilities have enabled the company to scale differentiated technologies both in the bio-fertility and bio-control segments.
The investment follows closely on the heels of SC Americas’ 2024 stake in Bio Insumos Nativa, a Chilean biologicals producer, and reflects the company’s long-term plan to expand its influence in the biological crop protection and fertilizer sectors—one of the most critical growth areas within its broader agri-food and life science operations. As the global population rises and farmland productivity becomes increasingly vital, demand for environmentally responsible agricultural inputs is gaining momentum. In particular, biological products—made from microorganisms or botanical extracts—are quickly becoming central to how farmers balance productivity with sustainability.
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According to market forecasts, the global biological crop protection market is projected to nearly double from USD 8 billion in 2023 to more than USD 15 billion by 2029. That growth will elevate biologicals to roughly 20% of the USD 75 billion global crop protection industry. In the United States—the largest market for these products—public demand for climate-conscious practices and food safety is further accelerating the shift.
“Biological inputs represent a major evolution in how agriculture will meet future demands,” said Shinnosuke Ono, General Manager of SCOA’s Life Science Group. “Through our investment in DPH Bio, we’re leveraging our integrated corporate strength across R&D, international logistics, and agronomic expertise to ensure these high-potential innovations scale successfully and responsibly.”
DPH Bio’s business model, built around the concept of simplifying its portfolio to double down on biologically driven innovation, made it a natural fit for SC Americas’ vision.
“In the past year, our company made a pivotal choice that set us on a path to growth and to deliver meaningful impact for growers,” said Mick Messman, CEO of DPH Biologicals. “By simplifying our portfolio around our biological platforms, RegenAphex, Prime Technology and BioControls, we positioned ourselves for success with the biologicals revolution in agriculture.”
This strategic clarity made the company especially attractive for interested investors like SC Americas. DPH Bio’s nimbleness, paired with its commitment to sustainable innovation, complements SC Americas’ global platform and long-term investment philosophy.
“Successful ag-tech companies understand that the road to commercialization has many twists and turns,” Messman added. “With a simplified portfolio and focused approach, we concluded that collaborations with partners and customers were the most efficient and credible way to ensure our innovations got in front of growers.”
By aligning with SC Americas’ global distribution network and decades-long record in agrochemical and fertilizer businesses, DPH Bio gains access to international markets and the support needed to scale faster. The collaboration also provides a launching pad for cross-pollinating innovations across geographies.
For over 50 years, Sumitomo Corporation Group has operated within the global agro- input supply chain. Today, it maintains agricultural operations in approximately 40 countries. This legacy brings with it decades of trust among producers, regulatory expertise, and market access. It also offers a reliable pipeline for high-value agricultural solutions, especially as the biologicals sector matures.
In more recent years, SC Americas has been steadily building its biological input portfolio through targeted equity investments and distribution agreements, particularly in Latin America and Europe. Now, with the inclusion of DPH Bio’s product development engine and commercialization experience, the Group is strategically positioned to expand its value chain and further advance global sustainability initiatives.
“Our partnership with DPH Bio is a natural evolution of SC Americas’ values-driven approach to business,” said Hajime “Ike” Uchiike, General Manager of SC Americas’ Agri- Food and Life Science Division and Deputy GM of Sumitomo Corporation South America. “Their dedication to regenerative agriculture and product innovation aligns directly with our commitment to building a more resilient, equitable food system for the planet.”
While much of the conversation around ag-tech centers on innovation, both companies recognize that scale and sustainability must go hand in hand. That’s where Sumitomo Corporation’s international network of affiliates, logistical know-how, and strong market credibility come into play. By combining DPH Bio’s technical and commercial strength with SC’s infrastructure and relationships, both parties aim to broaden adoption of biological inputs and reduce the reliance on synthetic alternatives to improve long-term soil health.
“By working together, we can accelerate the transition to a more balanced biological approach in agriculture,” said Messman. “This is about more than market expansion— it’s about meaningful impact and long-term value creation for growers and the environment.”
As regulatory frameworks shift and public awareness continues to grow around food traceability, climate change, and soil degradation, biologicals offer a compelling, science-backed solution. SCOA’s investment in DPH Bio signals a firm belief in that future—and a determination to shape it. Through the partnership with DPH Bio and deepening its capabilities in biologicals, SC enhances its already formidable agribusiness footprint and reinforces its commitment to building a sustainable future through innovation. Together, the goal is not simply to grow, but to grow responsibly—with farmers, consumers, and ecosystems in mind.
“Ultimately, we want our investments to be good for business and good for the world,” said Ono. “And this partnership is a clear example of both.”
