ABOUT US
With Nature, For Future.
Nurturing the Future Through the Power of Nature
Nature has always been the starting point of
our research and development.
As environmental challenges continue to affect us, we have remained focused on our mission of meeting the needs of our planet and creating the future we envision. This goal has guided us to maintain a deep awareness of both the planet we live on today and the world we will leave to future generations.
We cannot create more of the Earth’s finite resources. But through technologies that are responsible toward both people and the planet, we believe we can unlock the full potential of nature.
We believe that materials inspired by nature can help build a better tomorrow. That is why we will continue harnessing nature’s gifts to support life and nurture a more sustainable future for our planet.
Our Commitment
The Future We Are Building
We harness the power of sustainable materials to advance a circular economy, improve people’s lives, and create a more prosperous future.
We are committed to creating new value from underutilized resources and helping build a society where materials remain in circulation.By exploring the full potential of sustainable materials and developing new solutions that support both everyday life and industry, we aim to contribute to a better future.EF Polymer will continue taking on the challenge of transforming society through the power of materials.
Story
Our Development Story
“I wanted to help families struggling with drought.”That vision inspired our founder to develop a 100% naturally derived superabsorbent polymer.
Narayan Lal Gurjar, the founder of EF Polymer, was born and raised in a small farming village of around 300 people in Rajasthan, India. The village’s arid climate made farming extremely challenging. Raised by farming parents, Narayan witnessed their daily struggles from an early age.“One day, I want to help my parents and the people in my village overcome water scarcity.”That deep personal commitment led to the creation of EF Polymer, a 100% naturally derived superabsorbent polymer.
The Value We Create and the Markets We Serve
EF Polymer builds its business around naturally derived polymer technology, delivering solutions that reduce environmental impact while supporting long-term industrial sustainability.Beyond product development, we help companies transition away from petroleum-based superabsorbent polymers and develop circular models that make effective use of locally available resources. Through these efforts, we create new opportunities to translate the potential of natural materials into tangible value for industry.
100% Naturally Derived Polymer Development, Manufacturing, and Sales
Our technology helps reduce water and fertilizer use while supporting more stable crop yields, contributing to the advancement of sustainable agriculture. We are also expanding its applications across a broad range of fields, including cosmetics, hygiene products, and everyday consumer goods.
Supporting the Transition to Green Transformation (GX)
We support companies in transitioning from conventional synthetic superabsorbent polymers to 100% naturally derived alternatives. By reducing environmental impact and promoting the adoption of sustainable materials, we help companies advance their Green Transformation (GX) initiatives.
Building a Circular Ecosystem
We repurpose agricultural residues that would otherwise be discarded to build circular ecosystems. By keeping local resources in circulation within the communities where they are generated, we are working to develop sustainable, locally rooted models.
History
EF Polymer’s History
EF Polymer established a legal entity in India and launched its first pilot sales in India.
Established the headquarters in Okinawa. Launched sales in India.
Launched sales in Japan. Raised 40 million yen in seed funding from MTG Ventures, Yosemite LLC, Beyond Next Ventures, angel investor Tatsuya Suzuki.
Raised 550 million yen in Series A funding. Launched sales in the United States. Launched an environmentally friendly cold pack made with EF Polymer.
Expanded the manufacturing facility in India and strengthened production capacity. Launched sales in France and began retail distribution through home improvement stores in Japan. Launched a thickening agent for cosmetic applications.
Raised a total of 2.6 billion yen in Series B funding. Upcycled a cumulative 7,000 tonnes of agricultural residue, transforming underutilized resources into valuable materials.
Awards
World Living Soils Forum – Winner
2024 Indo Pacific Climate Tech 100
Forbes Asia 100 To Watch
ICC Summit KYOTO – Catapult Grand Prix – 2nd Place
J-Startup Okinawa
Forbes Under 30 Asia
ICC Summit KYOTO 2023 - Real Tech Catapult Grand Prix, Design and Innovation Awards
G20 - Digital Innovation Alliance Summit 2nd place
ASCENSION 2023 - Asia Next Unicorn Award
Cleantech 25 APAC
Ministry of the Environment, Japan – Environmental Startup Award
Climate Launch Pad - Carbon Tech Award
Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award
3M-CII Young Innovators Challenge Award
Innovation Square Incubator
1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
・India
EF Polymer Private Limited
G1-202, Road No. 1, Udyog Vihar, Sukher Industrial Area, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India
・United States
EF Polymer America Inc. 131 Continental Drive, Suite 305, Newark, Delaware 19713, USA
・Manufacturing and sales of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) made from agricultural residues.
・Supporting farmers through the adoption of EF Polymer as an agricultural input.
・Supporting companies that use petroleum-based SAPs in achieving more sustainable business operations through Green Transformation (GX) initiatives.
Approximately 110 across the group.
Universal Materials Incubator Co., Ltd. (UMI), MTG Ventures, Impact Capital, Japan Green Investment Corp. for Carbon Neutrality (JICN), Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., TOPPAN Inc., and others.
Our Team
Our Leadership Team
Founder & CEO
Narayan Lal Gurjar
Narayan Lal Gurjar
Originally from Rajasthan, India, Narayan Lal Gurjar studied agricultural engineering at university. His journey began in high school, when he saw firsthand how water scarcity affected his father’s work as a farmer. That experience inspired the idea that would later become the foundation of EF Polymer’s technology.At the age of 20, while still a university student, he launched his first venture. In 2019, he moved to Japan after being selected for the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Accelerator Program, and later established EF Polymer in Okinawa.
Director, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Puran Rajput
Puran Rajput
A co-founder of EF Polymer, he has been with the company since its inception and comes from the same village as CEO Narayan Lal Gurjar. He currently leads EF Polymer’s operations in India, overseeing the company’s business activities across the country. He also heads international business development, with a particular focus on the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
Director, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Hiroshi Yoshikawa
Hiroshi Yoshikawa
Originally from Chiba. After passing Japan’s Certified Public Accountant examination, he gained experience at a Big Four audit firm and in financial advisory services. He later joined the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), where he was responsible for financial accounting, budget management, and establishing the university’s incubation center. At EF Polymer, he oversees all corporate functions, including finance and accounting.
Co-Founder & Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO)
Ankit Jain
Ankit Jain
A co-founder of EF Polymer, he has been with the company since its inception. In India, he leads strategic partnerships with companies and government agencies, including collaborations developed through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. He also oversees the launch and expansion of new businesses in areas such as construction materials and coco peat.
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Kyoji Nakao
Kyoji Nakao
Born in Osaka, Japan, he spent part of his childhood in Illinois. He has held marketing and public relations roles at a Japanese electronics manufacturer, an automotive company, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), and a U.S.-based marketing firm.At EF Polymer, he leads the company’s marketing and communications strategy and oversees business development for non-agriculture applications, with a particular focus on the consumer products and cosmetics sectors.
Please feel free to contact us regarding partnership opportunities, joint research, and collaborative development.
A Super Absorbent Polymer Made from Crop Residues
100% naturally-derived
Fully biodegradable
