Fertipelo

Matter of Trust Latam

Fertipelo

Fertipelo transforms hair waste into a powerful biofertilizer that regenerates soil, reduces emissions, and builds climate resilience.

Juárez, 06600 Mexico City, CDMX, Messico

MEX

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

Agriculture contributes 78% of global nitrate and phosphate pollution due to synthetic fertilizer overuse (UNESCO, 2022). In Mexico, over 30% of aquifers are contaminated, threatening drinking water, especially in rural areas (CONAGUA, 2020). At the same time, 70% of Mexican soils suffer degradation, reducing food security and increasing climate vulnerability (INECC, 2018). The production of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers emits over 1.4 billion tons of CO₂ annually, about 2% of global emissions, and consumes 1–2% of global energy (IEA, 2021). These fertilizers also harm long-term soil health and leach into water systems. Meanwhile, over 36,000 kg of hair are discarded monthly in Mexico, releasing greenhouse gases in landfills despite being rich in nitrogen and carbon, key nutrients for soil health. Fertipelo addresses these interconnected crises by transforming hair waste into a biofertilizer that reduces emissions, restores degraded soils, and prevents nutrient runoff, offering a circular, regenerative solution for agriculture.

Fertipelo is a liquid biofertilizer made from recycled human and animal hair. It provides essential nutrients, like nitrogen and carbon to the soil, improving fertility, water retention, and plant resilience, while reducing the need for synthetic agrochemicals. The core technology uses a chemical-physical process to break down keratin into bioavailable nutrients. Unlike traditional fertilizers that rely on energy-intensive industrial nitrogen fixation from the air, Fertipelo leverages the nitrogen already present in hair, significantly lowering its carbon footprint during production. This process transforms waste into a regenerative input for agriculture. By providing organic matter and carbon content, Fertipelo enhances soil structure, stimulates microbial activity, and boosts the soil’s ability to store water, making crops more resilient to drought and climate variability. The solution follows a circular model: hair is sourced through a membership-based recycling program with salons and barbershops, backed by a strategic partnership with L’Oréal. This ensures a stable supply chain while promoting sustainability across the beauty and agriculture sectors. Fertipelo comes in two formats: a 250 ml bottle for home gardening and a 5–10 liter version for farmers. It bridges waste management and regenerative agriculture, offering a scalable, low-cost, and climate-smart alternative to synthetic fertilizers.

Fertipelo serves three primary groups: beauty professionals, home gardeners, and small-to-medium-scale farmers, particularly those facing water scarcity, degraded soils, and rising costs of inputs. Mexico has over 190,000 salons and barbershops, which generate large volumes of hair waste without sustainable disposal options. Through our recycling membership, these businesses gain eco-certification and visibility as green spaces, increasing customer attraction and brand value. Urban gardeners and households, many of whom lack access to sustainable and effective fertilizers, benefit from a safe, natural product that improves plant growth and soil health. With 35% of Mexican homes maintaining gardens, this market segment is rapidly growing in demand for low-carbon, water-smart solutions. For Mexico’s 6.37 million agricultural workers, especially in areas hit by drought and soil degradation, Fertipelo offers an affordable, regenerative input that retains water, boosts yields, and reduces chemical dependency, improving food security and income stability. Additionally, Fertipelo creates one new green job for every 2,000 kg of hair recycled, supporting inclusive employment in environmental services. All three groups are underserved by current linear and extractive models. Fertipelo enables them to protect ecosystems, reduce waste, and actively build a circular, climate-resilient economy.