A Charleston-based biotech company that specializes in environmentally friendly fertilizer has entered a distribution agreement with Driscoll Farms in Rosebud, Texas. The agreement, along with an e-commerce site and direct sales through Johns Island and Mount Pleasant retail locations, expands the reach of Surya Biofertilizers.

The startup company, led by Jonathan Butler, co-founder of Automated Trading Desk, sells environmentally safe soil-conditioning fertilizers. He located Surya's headquarters in Charleston and started operations in October.

"It's exciting to work with a Charleston-based company operating at the forefront of green nonoil-based fertilizer technology," said John Royall, president of Royall Ace Hardware in Mount Pleasant, which, along with Ravenswood Plantation Sod Farm on Johns Island, now offers Surya products.

The company's distribution agreement with Driscoll Farms will supply biofertilizer products to four counties in Texas, the company said in a statement. "We are seeing the demand for organic fertilizers rise dramatically in Texas," said Arthur Driscoll, president of Driscoll Farms. "Through my research on alternative solutions to chemical fertilizers, combined with conversations with the company, I believe Surya's proven all-natural products are the future of sustainable agriculture."

Butler, the chief investor in Surya Biofertilizers, said the company's e-commerce portal and retail offerings allow the company to respond to increased interest in the company's products, which are marketed as a replacement for traditional chemical-based fertilizers "Until our products are readily available to customers through a planned, comprehensive retail and distributor network, we will offer Surya Biofertilizers for direct order at a very competitive price," Butler said.