EF Polymer develops 100% bio-based, biodegradable super-absorbent polymers (SAPs) derived from agricultural waste — primarily citrus peel, banana skins, and sugarcane bagasse — that retain up to 50 times their weight in water and release it slowly into the soil. The technology can reduce irrigation needs by up to 50%, making it particularly impactful in drought-prone regions, and simultaneously enriches soil with micronutrients. Founded in India and headquartered in Okinawa (having grown out of the OIST accelerator programme), the company has reached over 12,000 farmers across five countries. Its Series B backers include Beyond Next Ventures, Future Food Fund, and Imagine H2O, with additional support from a NEDO deep-tech subsidy of up to ¥800M.