More than 90 farms across the UK are set to trial an award-winning natural fertiliser developed by a University of Hertfordshire business student. The product helps crops withstand extreme conditions such as flooding and drought without the use of harsh chemicals.

The fertiliser was developed by Reclaimer Industries, a Herts-supported graduate startup founded by Adwaith Suresh (28), who graduated from the University in 2023 with an MSc in Finance and Investment Banking. Adwaith came up with the idea alongside his business partner Abhijith Padukana.

The company upcycles agricultural waste to create a mix of living microbes - including beneficial bacteria and fungi - to restore soil health. The treatment helps increases organic matter in the soil to improve long-term nutrient availability and helps plants to absorb nutrients more efficiently. It also strengthens soil structure and boosts resilience against extreme weather, supporting more sustainable farming practices.

Adwaith said:

"Abhijith and I came up with this idea after realising how poor the soil conditions were following extreme weather in the state of Kerala, India. We realised that even after rapid advances in digital technologies many farms still lacked resilient soil to protect crops. 

"Together we researched and developed a regenerative solution made from upcycled agricultural waste and we were able to adapt our solution to UK soil conditions."  

It was after developing his product with the support of the University of Hertfordshire's Enterprise Team, that Adwaith was able to introduce it to the UK market in mid-2025. Since then, Reclaimer has gained strong early traction, with 92 farms signed up to trial the product across more than 25,000 hectares, ahead of commercial rollout. 

Trial locations include 19 farms in the South West, 14 in the Midlands, 12 in the South East, 10 in the North West, and eight each in the East of England and Yorkshire and the Humber. The company is now preparing for regulatory approval and pilot production.

"My Finance and Economics degree from the University of Hertfordshire played a significant role in spotting the market gap and providing the understanding of where products come from to this country as well as the impact of global supply chains on the agricultural system" Adwaith added.

The initiative has just secured Adwaith the 'Best Positive Impact' award from the University of Hertfordshire in its annual entrepreneurship competition ('Flare'), as well becoming its overall champion, winning him £5,000 plus dedicated 1-2-1 support. 

His success continues with Reclaimer also being listed as a finalist in the UK StartUp Awards 2026 in the Innovative StartUp of the Year category for the East of England. Adwaith's product, if successful, stands to go on to the national finals held at the UK-wide event, Ideas-Fest in September.

Dr Charmagne Barnes, Pro Vice Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) at the University of Hertfordshire, said: 

"I'm thrilled to hear about Adwaith's success and I am sure there is more to come. It is our genuine pleasure to support him, and his success reflects our enterprising culture, which actively fosters student startups."

Last year alone the University of Hertfordshire supported 48 new graduate startup businesses that are already generating over a million pounds in revenue and creating employment for more than 600 people. 

"Our student startups are a fine example of the role we can play in helping to innovate and create growth, support the local economy, and help young people to fulfil their dreams," added Dr Barnes. 

Reclaimer Industries is the second Herts-supported startup to be listed, with NITISI, a luxury bioactive wellness-wear brand, also being shortlisted in the category for Graduate StartUp of the Year for London.  NITISI was founded by Vamsi Sivalanka and Akhilesh Karni, who, like Adwaith Suresh, graduated from the University of Hertfordshire Business School, both of them obtaining an MSc in Management in January 2025.

Read more about Reclaimer Industries.

Read more about studying for an MSc in Finance and Investment Banking.

Become a student entrepreneur at Herts