MP visits Shropshire-Based Lohas Fertiliser to see circular agriculture innovation in action

The North Shropshire MP visited Lohas Fertiliser in Oswestry where she was welcomed by co-founders Carlos Kao and Lian Lin, who shared the company’s journey from their initial £1 million investment to becoming a recognised leader in sustainable agri-tech.

The business has recently showcased its technology at Horizon Europe in Poland and is gaining attention across the UK and Europe for its contribution to nutrient recycling, soil health and climate-conscious agriculture.

During the visit, Helen Morgan was shown Lohas's patented NutriCycleX process in action - a rapid enzyme-based fermentation system that transforms poultry manure into high-quality, pathogen-free organic fertiliser in just three hours. With no odour, zero emissions, and full nutrient retention, the process is a model for circular innovation in agriculture.

Carlos Kao said: “We’ve always believed in the power of waste-to-resource innovation. What we do here is more than processing manure - we’re transforming a problem into a solution that benefits the land, the farmer, and the climate. There’s so much potential to replicate this model across the UK and Europe, and it’s exciting to see growing support for it.”

Currently producing up to 60 tonnes per month from their West Farm site in Crickheath, the Lohas team demonstrated how their fertiliser is already delivering results in vineyards, horticulture and regenerative farming, with strong trial outcomes from partnerships with Harper Adams University and early adopters such as Rowton and Hencote Vineyards.

Lian Lin said: “What sets us apart is how quickly we can process organic waste into a consistent, high-performance fertiliser that actually improves soil health long-term. Our technology directly supports the kind of changes farmers want to make but often don’t have the tools or support to do. Visits like today help raise awareness and build momentum for circular solutions. We are so pleased Helen came to visit us and can now take what she has learned to the Government and continue to support our movement.”

The discussion also covered current policy challenges, such as the recent High Court ruling that classified poultry litter as industrial waste, and how Lohas’s solution can help address nutrient pollution in sensitive catchments like the River Wye. The

team is already collaborating with poultry farmers across the region to help reduce runoff and add value to by-products that might otherwise be lost.

Lohas also shared its future ambitions as part of a Horizon Europe consortium bid, which includes establishing three demonstration projects - food waste in urban environments, green waste for municipalities, and manure waste in intensive farming regions - and identifying six replication cities or regions across Europe to roll out the model further.

Helen Morgan MP said:: “It’s always great to see a business investing in North Shropshire – particularly one that is innovating in solutions that help farmers and help the environment.

“It was fascinating to visit Lohas and learn more about how these new techniques can help make manure so much better.”

Lian added: “We’re proud to call North Shropshire our home. We’ve proven that big ideas can grow in rural areas, and with the right partnerships, we can make a real impact on national and international levels. This is about delivering real solutions, not just talking about them.”

Lohas Fertiliser is already supported by APHA, DEFRA and the Environment Agency and is a regular presence at national industry events including the RHS Peat-Free Transition Conference, the Four Oaks Show and Tesco’s Agri T-Jam. The team is also actively involved in DEFRA’s Farming Innovation Programme.

The business plans to expand its operations with further investment and job creation in Shropshire, continuing to work with farmers, supply chains and government stakeholders to deliver measurable environmental and economic benefits.