The Andersons sues Harrell’s, others over patent infringement

The Andersons, based in Maumee, Ohio, has initiated a patent infringement suit against Enviro Granulation, based in South Carolina; Plant Science, based in Ontario; and Harrell’s, based in Lakeland, Fla. The infringement suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the middle district of Florida, involves three patents related to dispersible granular fertilizer technology.

The Andersons introduced its dispersible granular technology in 2004 under the brand name Contec DG.

Enviro Granulation manufactures a water-dispersible pellet fertilizer and sells it to Plant Science, which markets it under the name Tru-Prill and others. Harrell’s distributes Tru-Prill to end users in the turf market.

The Andersons said its investment in intellectual property is limited; however, its research and development is crucial to the success of its professional turf business and the company will defend its technology in the courts.