Celebrating World Fertilizer Day with Innovation
HBED, the world’s strongest iron chelate
Celebrating World Fertilizer Day with Innovation
HBED, the world’s strongest iron chelate
October 2025
Iron is a critical micronutrient for plant health, but in alkaline and calcareous soils, it often becomes unavailable due to iron precipitation — when iron reacts in solution and transforms into an insoluble solid. This leads to interveinal chlorosis (yellowing of leaf tissue between veins), reduced chlorophyll production, slower photosynthesis, and ultimately, lower yields. Despite investing in premium inputs, farmers lose money when iron fertilizers fail to deliver.
That’s why Nouryon developed HBED, the world’s strongest iron chelate and the only one of its kind globally. With unmatched stability, efficiency and performance, HBED redefines iron availability in high-pH soils — ensuring plants get the nutrition they need, even under the most challenging conditions.
Traditional iron chelates break down in high-pH conditions. The result: iron precipitates in soil and becomes unavailable, crops cannot absorb it, and deficiencies persist. Farmers face not only lower yields but also the frustration of wasted resources.
HBED was designed precisely for these conditions. Its unique chelation structure holds iron firmly and keeps it soluble in the soil solution, ensuring that plants get the nutrition they need – even under the challenging soil conditions like high pH and high-carbonate content.
HBED has delivered measurable results – from citrus trees in Spain and Morocco to avocados in Australia – as well as other high-value horticultural crops grown in high-pH soils. Farmers report healthier canopies, stronger fruit set and improved returns.
HBED is not just powerful – it’s efficient. Because it delivers more iron for plant uptake at lower dose rates compared to other iron fertilizers, allowing farmers to reduce application without compromising performance. That means lower cost per hectare and a smaller environmental impact. Plus, it’s completely sodium-free.
HBED is a patented technology and exclusively produced by Nouryon. No other supplier in the world can offer this iron chelate. For distributors, farmers, and research and development partners, this represents an opportunity to work with a truly differentiated solution backed by unique chemistry.
If iron deficiency in high-pH soils is a challenge in your market, connect with Nouryon to:
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