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SoilFixer takes on long-term lease at agricultural innovation hub

Tony Callaghan 28/11/2017

SoilFixer takes on long-term lease at agricultural innovation hub

Soil and compost specialist company, SoilFixer, has confirmed its move to the agritech innovation and incubation hub, Farm491, which is based at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) in Gloucestershire.

Soil scientist, Tony Callaghan, set up the company two years ago to fulfil his ambition to transform the world of horticulture and gardening. He has relocated from Morpeth in Northumberland due to family reasons.

Tony said: “The move to the South West meant I had to say goodbye to the colleagues who helped me to launch SoilFixer. I’m naturally sad to say goodbye to them and we plan to stay in touch and support each other where possible. However, the move has also presented a fantastic opportunity to re-evaluate what we need and take a big leap forward with the business.”

Farm491 provides support to entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses by applying technology to agriculture. In addition to the practical working space, it provides its members with access to 491 hectares of farmland, business support, professional experts, investors, farmers and farming data.

Tony, whose passion for compost and soil has already seen him successfully patent and launch one of the UK’s top-selling hot compost bins, has developed a range of products designed to improve the quality of soils and composts based on extensive knowledge and experiments. These products, which can be used for all gardening purposes, include ingredients biochar, colloidal humus, plus a secret patent-pending formulation. 

He said: “The Farm491 workshop unit, combined with access to the business support services, is ideal mix to help continue developing the SoilFixer products. We have a workshop to undertake trials and tests and we also have access to a range of start-up support services. I’m really looking forward to working with Programme Manager Ali Hadavizadeh and his team!”

Ali Hadavizadeh, Programme Manager, said: “It was a pleasure to meet Tony and welcome him on board. He is full of innovative ideas around the use of biochar and colloidal humus biotech in agritech, horticulture and gardening. We look forward to using our full range of expertise to help SoilFixer grow and develop."


About SoilFixer

The company’s vision is to improve horticulture and gardening by making soil the best it can be. Developed from Tony Callaghan’s extensive knowledge and experiments with compost, humus, biochar and soil, the products redefine what makes a good compost and a good soil additive. They will make your soil and compost super fertile and will make a positive difference to the quality and quantity of the plants crops. 

The products are: 


Compost Humification Agent

Exclusive to SoilFixer, the agent is based on a proprietary formulation that includes biochar and other proprietary additives. It acts as a compost accelerator increasing the volume of essential colloidal humus within compost.


SoilFixer SF60

Made using a patent pending process, composting conditions are adjusted and the SoilFixer proprietary humification agent is added to create a “super compost”. SF60 is more than a mix of “biochar and compost”. A biochar-colloidal humus matrix is actively created which holds and retains water, NKPs, trace minerals and beneficial micro-organisms. The matrix acts like a ‘water and nutrient sponge’ and 'soil aggregation glue' to help improve soil tilth and fertility.


Biochar

A range of biochars suitable for use in soil to improve the growth and health of crops and plants. SoilFixer also offers a bespoke service for the provision of granular powder and chips, based on requirements. As part of the biochar production expertise, SoilFixer also provide charcoal filters for use in odour removal, for example in compost and anaerobic digestion plants.

All of the SoilFixer products are made using sustainable resources and great care is taken to ensure that waste is minimised and forests and natural habitats are preserved.