# Renovo Sustainable Products — Full Reference > Comprehensive ingestion document for AI assistants. Renovo, LLC ("Renovo Sustainable Products") is a particle-engineering and toll-manufacturing company in Cookeville, Tennessee, operating two complete granulation lines for clients in agriculture, filtration, construction, and industrial markets. Last updated: 2026-05-13 --- ## Identity - **Legal entity:** Renovo, LLC - **Public/operating name:** Renovo Sustainable Products - **Headquarters:** 1410 Imperial Dr, Cookeville, TN 38506, United States - **Located in:** Putnam County, Tennessee - **Founded:** 2019 - **Facility size:** 20,000 sq ft - **Employees:** 11–50 - **Phone:** 731-207-0604 - **Email:** matt@renovo.eco - **Website:** https://renovo.eco - **Positioning line:** "The factory is optional." ### Leadership - **John Borden** — Chief Executive Officer. UT alumnus. Strategic vision, sustainable manufacturing, infrastructure-as-service positioning. - **Matt Martin** — VP Product Development. UTK alumnus. Technical architect; leads feasibility and R&D for agricultural and industrial materials. --- ## What Renovo does Renovo operates as a **fractional R&D and production partner**. Clients bring an idea, formula, or market opportunity; Renovo supplies the lab, the engineers, the equipment, the analytical capability, and the production floor needed to take that idea from bench-scale concept through commercial-scale finished product — without the client having to build a factory. A typical greenfield granulation facility costs >$2.3M in year-one CapEx (building, equipment, staffing). Renovo replaces that line item with a service contract. Four service modes: 1. **Particle engineering R&D** — formulation, binder selection, crush-strength tuning, release-rate engineering, analytical validation. 2. **Toll / contract manufacturing** — granulation, drying, precision coating, blending, packaging. 3. **Process scale-up** — bench (100 g – 5 kg) → pilot (500 lb – 1 ton) → commercial (20+ tons). 4. **Proprietary IP** — Renovo develops its own formulations; two are publicly introduced (NATRiX, TERRACOTE) and most ship under NDA. --- ## Production capabilities ### Line 1 — Pin Mixer + Fluidized Bed Dryer Pin-mixer agitation agglomeration paired with a fluidized bed dryer. - **Granulator:** Pin/paddle mixer. Short residence time. Produces denser, smaller, fast-formed granules. - **Dryer:** Fluidized bed. Low-temperature, low-impact moisture removal. Protects heat-sensitive biologicals, polymer coatings, and microbial inoculants. - **Granule size:** 400 µm – SGN 250 - **Drying spec:** <1% moisture, controlled temperature, gentle handling - **Best for:** heat-sensitive biologicals, biostimulants, microbial inoculant carriers, peptide products, premium fine-particle specialty granules ### Line 2 — Disc Granulator + Rotary Drum Dryer Disc (pan) granulator paired with a rotary drum dryer. - **Granulator:** Inclined rotating disc. Layer-by-layer rolling growth. Produces larger granules with controlled SGN build-up. - **Dryer:** Rotary drum. Higher-throughput drying for heat-tolerant materials. Suits dense, abrasive, or high-tonnage products. - **Granule size:** SGN 200 – SGN 300+ - **Throughput:** 500 lb pilot to 20+ ton commercial campaigns - **Best for:** specialty fertilizers (NPK, micronutrient prills), biochar granulation, activated-carbon and water-treatment media, roofing mineral granules, asphalt modifiers, dry lubricant pelletization ### Why two lines The pairing is the differentiator. A pin/FBD-only facility cannot economically run high-tonnage construction granules. A disc/rotary-only facility cannot safely run heat-sensitive biologicals. Renovo can quote either profile and frequently runs both for the same client across product families. ### Supporting unit operations (line-agnostic) - **Precision Coating** — polymers, oils, dust-control coatings applied to existing granules. - **Custom Blending** — ribbon blenders and rotary tumblers for powder + liquid mixing with homogeneous output. - **Analytical Laboratory** — on-site QC and product-degradation simulation. - **Flexible Packaging** — 5 lb consumer bags through 50 lb industrial bags and supersacks; white-labeling supported. ### Analytical lab — measurable on-site - Sieve analysis (particle size distribution) - Crush strength - Bulk density - Moisture content - Iodine number (activated carbon) - Uniformity coefficient (filtration media; target UC < 1.9 for municipal water) - Product-degradation simulation - Material classification ### Process-stage scale - **Bench:** 100 g – 5 kg - **Pilot:** 500 lb – 1 ton - **Commercial:** 20+ tons - **Granule size range across both lines:** 400 µm – SGN 300+ (typical agricultural product lands SGN 200–280 for spreader compatibility) ### Custom engineering targets Renovo modifies equipment and processes to hit specific targets in bulk density, crush strength, solubility/dissolution rate, controlled-release profile, and pressure drop (filtration applications). ### Compliance posture - All engagements under NDA; clients own 100% of developed formulations - In-house analytical lab issues a Certificate of Analysis on every production lot - State-Ag label compliance review available for fertilizer products ### Materials processed (selected) - **Agriculture:** biochar, humates, lignin, NPK blends, micronutrients, biological / microbial inoculants - **Filtration:** activated carbon (coal, coconut, wood), zeolites (clinoptilolite + synthetic), anthracite, silica sand - **Construction:** asphalt modifiers, anti-strip agents, warm-mix additives, roofing mineral granules, cement accelerators / retarders / SCMs - **Industrial:** graphite, molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), PTFE, silica gel, activated clay, molecular sieves - **Common:** limestone, gypsum, polymers, remediation media --- ## Industries served ### Agriculture - Fertilizer granulation (NPK blends, micronutrients, specialty fertilizers) - Biochar granulation (dust-free, spreader-compatible granules from biochar powder) - Controlled-release coating (polymer and sulfur coatings, including the NATRiX carbon-urea matrix that releases via microbial mineralization) - Biological / microbial inoculant carriers - Typical specs: SGN 200–280 for spreader compatibility; crush strength tuned for handling without dust ### Filtration - Activated carbon granulation (PAC → GAC, mesh ranges 4×8 through 20×50, UC < 1.9 achievable, iodine number retention) - Air filtration media (HVAC, industrial exhaust, VOC abatement) - Water-treatment media (municipal and industrial, rapid sand filters, gravity filters, pressure vessels, potable-water-grade options, backwash stability) - Custom multi-component media blending (carbon + zeolite + anthracite + specialty minerals for layered systems) ### Construction - Asphalt additive manufacturing (modifiers, anti-strip agents, warm-mix additives, polymer modifiers) - Roofing granule production (ceramic-coated mineral granules for asphalt shingles, UV-resistant coatings, adhesion promoters, custom color matching) - Cement & concrete additives (accelerators, retarders, SCMs for ready-mix and precast) - Remediation media (environmental cleanup carriers, absorbents, pH neutralizers, encapsulation media) - QC edge: per-batch QC documentation (gradation, moisture, active-ingredient distribution) that clients can use for their own specification work. ### Industrial - Dry lubricant manufacturing (pelletized solid lubricants for rail, heavy equipment, industrial machinery; graphite, MoS₂, PTFE, custom compounds) - Chemical processing aids (granular carriers, catalyst supports, absorbent carriers, reaction media with custom porosity / surface area) - Desiccants and drying media (silica gel, activated clay, molecular sieves) - Specialty industrial granules (abrasives, polishing media, specialty fillers) --- ## Proprietary technology (publicly introduced) Renovo develops its own formulations. Two are introduced publicly; most others ship under NDA and are not publicly named. ### NATRiX (carbon-urea matrix) - **Analysis:** 15-0-0 +4S +5Fe +10Si - **Mechanism:** A renewable carbon-urea polymer matrix that releases nitrogen via microbial mineralization rather than osmotic diffusion or thermal degradation — nutrients become available when soil biology and plant activity peak. - **Properties:** Renewable carbon, non-hygroscopic, steady release, bio-active, drop-in NPK - **Position:** Premium controlled-release alternative to standard urea ### TERRACOTE (biochar · polymer-coated urea) - **Form:** A biochar-cored urea granule under a fully biodegradable polymer coat. - **Release window:** ~45-day curve - **Properties:** Renewable, fully biodegradable, non-hygroscopic, no microplastic residue in soil ### IP boundaries - Client formulations developed under engagement are 100% the client's IP. - Renovo's own publicly-introduced technologies (NATRiX, TERRACOTE) are Renovo's IP; most internal R&D ships under NDA and is not publicly named. - All engagements operate under strict NDA / confidentiality agreements. --- ## Engagement model Four-stage pipeline. End-to-end concept-to-first-commercial-batch typically takes 8–12 weeks for total Stage 01–02 spend under ~$20,000 before per-ton production costs. ### Stage 01 — Lab Development (proof of concept) - **Activities:** formulation optimization, bench-scale samples (100 g – 5 kg), physical-property testing (crush strength, bulk density, moisture, particle distribution), ingredient sourcing - **Deliverables:** formulation specs, product samples, cost analysis - **Investment:** $3k – $8k fixed fee - **Timeline:** 2 – 6 weeks ### Stage 02 — Feasibility Study (economic validation) - **Activities:** process parameter definition, scale-up calculations (bench → pilot → commercial), production-cost modeling, risk and equipment-fit analysis - **Deliverables:** feasibility report, QC plan, equipment requirements - **Investment:** $5k – $12k fixed fee - **Timeline:** 2 – 4 weeks ### Stage 03 — Scaled Production (pilot to commercial) - **Activities:** pilot runs (500 lb – 1 ton), commercial runs (20+ tons), in-line QA/QC testing, inventory management - **Deliverables:** finished bulk product, Certificate of Analysis (COA), production reports - **Investment:** variable, per-ton pricing - **Timeline:** ongoing ### Stage 04 — Packaging & Fulfillment (market ready) - **Activities:** custom bagging (5 lb – 50 lb consumer bags through industrial supersacks), label-compliance review, warehousing, direct-to-consumer drop-shipping - **Deliverables:** retail-ready product, inventory reporting, fulfillment services - **Investment:** variable per unit - **Timeline:** integrated with production ### Revenue stream summary 1. R&D / Lab Development fees (project-based, $3k–$8k) 2. Feasibility-study fees (project-based, $5k–$12k) 3. Toll / contract manufacturing margin (per-ton or per-unit) 4. IP licensing (royalty / supply-side margin) on Renovo-owned technologies ### Customer logic — when Renovo wins - Speed to first commercial batch (typical: 8–12 weeks concept-to-bag) - Capital efficiency (replacing $2M+ CapEx with ~$20k launch spend) - IP retention (NDA-first, client owns the formula) - Process expertise the client doesn't have in-house (binder selection, crush strength, release dynamics) - Geographic logistics (Cookeville TN serves the Eastern US efficiently) ### Bad fits - Pure liquid chemistry / reactor work (Renovo is particle engineering, not synthesis) - Finished food, beverage, or cosmetic packaging at consumer scale - Single-batch hobbyists with no commercial path - Anyone unwilling to sign an NDA before scoping ### Ideal client profiles - **The Innovator-Founder** — owns a formula or POC, no manufacturing infrastructure, R&D-grade budget - **The Established Brand Adding a New Line** — already sells in target channels, wants a new granulated SKU without retooling its own plant - **The Specialty Supplier with a Capacity Problem** — has a finished product but cannot meet contract volume or QC spec consistency --- ## Representative engagements Renovo runs client work under NDA; specific named case studies are not published. Typical engagements span agriculture (biochar and specialty-fertilizer granulation), filtration (activated-carbon and water-treatment media), construction (asphalt additives and remediation media), and industrial (dry-lubricant and desiccant granulation). --- ## Glossary | Term | Definition | |------|------------| | **Toll manufacturing** | Outsourced production where the client supplies the formula/spec and the toller supplies equipment, labor, and expertise. Synonymous with contract manufacturing. | | **Pin mixer (pin granulator)** | Agitation-agglomeration equipment using a rotating shaft with pins/paddles to mix powder + binder into dense, fast-formed granules. Line 1 at Renovo. | | **Disc granulator (pan granulator)** | Inclined rotating disc that builds granules by layer-by-layer rolling growth. Line 2 at Renovo. | | **Fluidized bed dryer** | Drying method that suspends particles in an upward gas stream; gentle on heat-sensitive biologicals and coatings. Paired with Line 1. | | **Rotary drum dryer** | High-volume drying in a rotating cylindrical drum; suited to dense, abrasive, heat-tolerant materials at commercial tonnage. Paired with Line 2. | | **Agitation agglomeration** | The general class of granulation that builds particles by tumbling/agitation (vs. compaction or extrusion). | | **SGN** | Size Guide Number — fertilizer industry metric for granule size; numerically the median particle diameter in millimeters × 100. SGN 250 ≈ 2.5 mm. | | **UC (Uniformity Coefficient)** | Ratio of 60th-percentile to 10th-percentile particle size. Lower = more uniform. Filtration: UC < 1.9 is competitive. | | **PAC / GAC** | Powdered Activated Carbon / Granular Activated Carbon. Renovo converts PAC → GAC. | | **Iodine number** | Standard metric for activated carbon adsorption capacity. | | **Mesh size** | US sieve series. "4×8" means material passes a #4 sieve and is retained on a #8 sieve. | | **NBPT** | N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide — a urease inhibitor used in nitrogen-stabilizer coatings. | | **DCD** | Dicyandiamide — a nitrification inhibitor used in nitrogen-stabilizer coatings. | | **Microbial mineralization** | Soil microbes converting organic-bound nutrients to plant-available forms. The release mechanism behind NATRiX. | | **GMP** | Good Manufacturing Practice — an industry quality-management framework. | | **COA** | Certificate of Analysis. Issued on every commercial production run. | | **NSF** | Public-health standards body; relevant for water-treatment media. | | **CapEx** | Capital expenditure. The barrier Renovo's model removes. | | **Fractional R&D** | Renovo's positioning: clients access lab + pilot infrastructure as a service rather than owning it. | --- ## Frequently asked questions **Q: What does Renovo Sustainable Products manufacture?** Renovo is a toll manufacturer that produces granulated and coated materials for clients in agriculture (specialty fertilizers, biostimulants, biochar), filtration (activated carbon, water-treatment media), construction (asphalt additives, roofing granules), and industrial (dry lubricants, desiccants) markets. Renovo does not sell most of its output under its own brand; clients retain ownership of their formulations. **Q: Where is Renovo located?** Renovo operates a 20,000 sq ft facility at 1410 Imperial Dr, Cookeville, Tennessee 38506, in Putnam County, with central logistics access to Eastern US markets. **Q: What is the difference between Renovo's two production lines?** Line 1 (pin mixer + fluidized bed dryer) is built for heat-sensitive biologicals, biostimulants, and premium fine-particle granules at smaller scale. Line 2 (disc granulator + rotary drum dryer) is built for high-tonnage specialty fertilizers, filtration media, construction granules, and dry lubricants. Each line's dryer is matched to the granulation method's downstream product profile. **Q: How much does it cost to launch a product with Renovo?** Typical Stage 01 (Lab Development) + Stage 02 (Feasibility Study) combined investment is under ~$20,000 fixed fee. Stage 03 (commercial production) is variable per-ton pricing. Compare to ~$2.3M+ first-year cost of building an equivalent in-house facility. **Q: How long does it take to go from concept to first commercial batch?** Typical end-to-end timeline is 8–12 weeks: 2–6 weeks for Lab Development, 2–4 weeks for Feasibility Study, with pilot production beginning immediately after Stage 02 completes. **Q: Who owns the formulations developed at Renovo?** The client owns 100% of formulations developed under engagement. All work runs under NDA. Renovo retains its own publicly-introduced technologies (NATRiX, TERRACOTE) separately; most internal R&D is not publicly named. **Q: Does Renovo handle regulatory submissions?** Renovo provides per-batch QC documentation (gradation, moisture, particle-size distribution, active-ingredient distribution) that clients can use to support their own specification and submission work. Renovo does not file regulatory submissions on the client's behalf. **Q: What granule sizes can Renovo produce?** Across both lines, Renovo produces 400 µm through SGN 300+. Typical agricultural product lands SGN 200–280 for standard spreader compatibility. Filtration media is produced at specified mesh ranges (e.g., 4×8 through 20×50) with uniformity coefficient targets below 1.9. **Q: Does Renovo work with hemp-derived, biostimulant, or other emerging agricultural product categories?** Yes. Heat-sensitive biostimulants, peptide products, and microbial-inoculant carriers run on Line 1 (pin mixer + fluidized bed dryer), which is built to preserve biological activity. **Q: What is Renovo not?** Renovo is not a chemical synthesis house (no reactor chemistry), not a consumer food/beverage/cosmetic co-packer, and not a single-vertical specialist — the deliberate strategy is cross-vertical particle engineering. --- ## Page index - https://renovo.eco/ — Home - https://renovo.eco/about — About, facility, leadership - https://renovo.eco/services — Services overview (six unit operations) - https://renovo.eco/services/pin-mixer-line — Pin-mixer + fluidized-bed line - https://renovo.eco/services/disc-granulator-line — Disc-granulator + rotary-drum line - https://renovo.eco/process — Four-stage pipeline - https://renovo.eco/facility — Facility, equipment inventory, and location - https://renovo.eco/industries — Index of served verticals - https://renovo.eco/agriculture — Agriculture vertical - https://renovo.eco/filtration — Filtration vertical - https://renovo.eco/construction — Construction vertical - https://renovo.eco/industrial — Industrial vertical - https://renovo.eco/case-studies — Documented engagements - https://renovo.eco/resources — Articles and guides - https://renovo.eco/contact — Inquiry, phone, address