Smart Fertilisers : Groupe Roullier and the University of Navarra create a joint Industrial Research Chair
Groupe Roullier and the University of Navarra in Spain have been partners for more than a decade, and in 2025 extended their partnership with the creation of a joint industrial research chair dedicated to new-generation fertilisers.
Thomas Georgelin is Deputy CEO of Groupe Roullier, and José María García-Mina is the university professor leading the research programme associated with the project.
What aims have you set for this new collaboration?
José María García-Mina / The new research chair is attached to the School of Sciences at the University of Navarra, and supported by the chemistry and biology group that I lead. Its aim is to accelerate the pace of research into plant nutrition and improve our understanding of how soils and plants interact. It’s also designed to share this knowledge widely as part of encouraging the adoption of more responsible farming practices.
Thomas Georgelin / The University of Navarra shares our ambition of developing fertilisers that are more efficient and effective in every respect. That means engaging with R&D projects that can translate pure research into real-world agro-industrial applications. But to make that happen, we need to attract and train more young researchers… Hence the goal we’ve set to provide training for the University of Navarra Biodiversity and Environment Institute research groups and their counterparts at the Centre Mondial de l’Innovation Roullier in parallel.
« Our collaboration creates both a virtuous circle and an inspiring model for the future in which science feeds innovation, innovation responds to agricultural challenges, and the end results are integral to a process of sustainable environmental responsibility. »
Thomas Georgelin, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Roullier
What does this alliance between an academic institution and an industrial company actually contribute in practical terms?
T. G. / For more than a decade now, our teams have been combining their expertise on projects that have set new standards in plant nutrition. Our collaboration creates both a virtuous circle and an inspiring model for the future in which science feeds innovation, innovation responds to agricultural challenges, and the end results are integral to a process of sustainable environmental responsibility. I’d also add that the close relationship between TIMAC AGRO and Spanish farmers gives us the opportunity to test these solutions at pace under real-world conditions.
J. M. G.-M. / It’s important to understand that pure and applied research complement each other. Programmes run jointly by universities and companies are perhaps the clearest demonstration of this interactive relationship. The close partnership we’ve built up over time with Groupe Roullier has genuinely become a cornerstone for innovation in agronomy. Our counterparts contribute their innovation skills, experimental platforms and direct links with international agricultural realities, and we contribute our scientific skills and advanced research infrastructures. This synergy is key to being able to carry out wide-ranging projects of the kind we’re involved in.
« The close partnership we’ve built up over time with Groupe Roullier has genuinely become a cornerstone for innovation in agronomy. »
José María García-Mina,
Professor at the University of Navarra and Director of the Industrial Research Chair at the University of Navarra – TIMAC AGRO Spain – CMI Roullier
What are the main focuses for your work?
T. G. / The design of so-called ‘smart’ fertilisers is central to the work we do. This research is based on the natural principle that plant roots secrete compounds that communicate their nutritional needs. So we want to develop fertilisers that can react to these signals and provide plants with the nutrients they are ready and able to assimilate – and no others. This approach would make it possible to limit excess nutrients in the soil, which can cause crop diseases or have a negative impact on the environment.
J. M. G.-M. / The ultimate aim of this approach is to meet societal demand for basic foodstuffs, which aligns perfectly with the University of Navarra’s strategy of focusing on sustainable development and protecting people and the environment. We want to use excellence in research to have a positive social impact and take sustainable development to the next level with particular attention paid to the environment and biodiversity to ensure that science really does serve society. In conjunction with Groupe Roullier, we’re working jointly on the emergence of new-generation solutions that combine agronomic performance with environmental safety and sustainable resource management.