A THREE-GENERATION FAMILY BUSINESS RANKED AMONG THE TOP 300 GLOBAL BIOPRODUCT MANUFACTURERS: 27 FACTS ABOUT BTU’S 27 YEARS

A Three-Generation Family Business Ranked Among the Top 300 Global Bioproduct Manufacturers: 27 Facts About BTU’s 27 Years

How do you build an international business and rank among the top 300 global manufacturers with only rented facilities and uncompromising faith in your idea at the start? The history of the biotechnology company BTU is a unique case study for Ukraine. Starting with technological solutions for the oil and gas industry, the company has grown into a global player in the agricultural sector, boasting a portfolio of over 60 biological products and exporting to 25 countries worldwide. This scale was achieved without external investors, by reinvesting up to 90% of profits into R&D and manufacturing modernization.

The year 2026 is symbolic for BTU: the company turned 27 years old, CEO Vladyslav Bolokhovsky reached his 50th birthday, and founder Valentyna Bolokhovska received an award for transformative business leadership at the BioAgTech World Congress in Valencia.

How this business was built, what fueled its growth, and which decisions proved decisive — all in 27 facts about BTU.

1. BTU Biotech Company is a three-generation family business.

The company was founded by spouses Valentyna and Viktor Bolokhovsky alongside their son, Vladyslav. Today, the entire family is involved in driving the business forward: daughter-in-law Alla Bolokhovska heads the marketing department, while grandson Anton and his wife Nastya are developing the Let’s Grow project in Germany.

The family has its own secret to harmony: "How do we manage to avoid conflicts? Because there is a lot of work," smiles Valentyna Bolokhovska.

However, her life path could have unfolded differently. As a child, she dreamed of journalism, writing essays and poetry. Love determined her future: together with her husband-to-be, she chose an engineering and technology career, graduating as a chemical technology engineer in the petroleum sector. Upon returning to Ladyzhyn, the couple joined the launch of a specialized state plant: he worked in production, and she worked in the laboratory.

2. Starting with cooperation in the oil industry.

In the 1990s, during the restructuring of a large enterprise, Valentyna Bolokhovska headed a research and production shop with a team of 100 people. It was hands-on crisis management experience, where taking risks and accepting responsibility were daily requirements.

"In 1995, I took out a loan at 190% annual interest to launch a detergent with our own packaging. We manufactured the product and delivered it to retail, but the money never came back," she recalls.

Although the loan was eventually paid off, this experience shaped a cautious attitude toward borrowing and a firm reliance on growing through internal resources.

In 1999, Valentyna Bolokhovska, together with her husband, son, and a team of like-minded professionals, founded the BTU-CENTER enterprise. The first orders were completed on rented facilities at a distillery in Cherkasy Oblast. Later, the company acquired its own site in Ladyzhyn, which was gradually reconstructed and developed into a modern biologicals manufacturing facility.

As early as 2001, the company began collaborating with Ukrnafta, developing solutions for cleaning oil-contaminated soils and enhancing oil recovery. Today, Ukrnafta remains a client of BTU.

3. The production of biological products for agriculture was launched in 2006 — despite market skepticism.

Once cooperation with the oil industry was well established, the company grew concerned about over-reliance on a single client. Virtually the entire business depended on Ukrnafta.

"I kept thinking: what if the contract isnt signed tomorrow? How do we get through the winter, how do we pay people? We needed a financial cushion", recalls Valentyna Bolokhovska.

Gradually, it became clear that the business needed to diversify, so the company began exploring new applications for its technologies, particularly in agriculture.

In 2007, the company registered its first three agricultural products: the growth bio-activator Azotofit (former Brand of Azotohelp), the bio-fungicide Fitocid, and the bio-adhesive Liposam. Full-scale production of biological products and active collaboration with scientific institutions — including Mykolaiv and Vinnytsia Agricultural Universities and Uman National University of Horticulture — launched in 2008.

Earning the trust of farmers was an uphill battle. At first, agricultural producers approached biologicals cautiously, and often with outright skepticism. Demand began to grow after initial field results were demonstrated. For instance, applying the growth bio-activator Azotofit-t (former Brand of Azotohelp) during the sunflower growing season (100 g/ha) yielded up to 0.7 t/ha in additional yield. Meanwhile, Liposam helped reduce canola harvest losses by preventing pod shattering and boosting resistance to abiotic stresses like drought and temperature fluctuations.

4. Opening the Institute of Applied Biotechnology in 2016 marked a major milestone in developing the companys scientific focus.

"In 2008, I realized clearly: without science, we cannot move forward. Different plots of land and climate conditions require tailored technologies chosen professionally," says Valentyna Bolokhovska.

This motivated BTU to build out its research infrastructure alongside partnerships with scientific institutions and field experts. In Ladyzhyn, where the production complex is located, microbiological, Ramp;D, manufacturing, quality control, entomological, and vegetation laboratories were established step-by-step, alongside a strain bank. This infrastructure continues to grow today.

A key milestone occurred in 2016 with the opening of the Institute of Applied Biotechnology in Kyiv, which boosted Ramp;D capabilities and brought together multiple applied sciences. The institute encompasses departments for agrochemical research, applied mycology, applied microbiology, entomology, and field trials.

Today, BTU’s research infrastructure covers the complete end-to-end Ramp;D lifecycle — from strain selection and lab research to formulation, field testing, scale-up, and final product quality control.

5. The company maintains its own repository of strains.

It houses over 250 microorganism strains, of which roughly 100 are deposited and around 70 have undergone genetic sequencing.

6. BTU was the first company in Ukraine to introduce a bio-fungicide based on a yeast-like organism to control white mold (Sclerotinia).

Valentyna Bolokhovska highlights that BTUs core strength lies in continuous development driven by combined lab and field testing. While studying white mold sclerotia, company scientists isolated the microorganism Clavispora lusitaniae SL-1923 (IMB Y-5120), which effectively suppresses Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

"Clavispora lusitaniae is a yeast species previously classified as Candida lusitaniae. In nature, it can be found on fruit or plant surfaces. This yeast culture can colonize damaged plant tissues and inhibit pathogen spore germination, making it a unique and promising biological agent for controlling necrotrophic pathogens," explains Valentyna Bolokhovska.

Its defining feature is high ecological plasticity: the microorganism remains active across broad variations in temperature, moisture, and soil pH — a critical advantage for field applications.

Based on this research, BTU developed the comprehensive bio-fungicide Sclerocid Forte to combat head rot (white mold). This product is innovative for the Ukrainian market, as yeast-like biological agents had never previously been used in local biocontrol products.

7. Between 2% and 4% of total turnover is reinvested into R&D annually.

Around 2% directly funds the Ramp;D center, while another 2% goes toward business development, including constructing new offices and laboratory facilities.

8. In 2011, the company acquired land in Ladyzhyns industrial zone, building one of Eastern Europes largest biological production sites.

This site houses bioreactors, quality assurance labs, packaging lines, and dry formulation processing units.

Today, five production lines operate here. The latest expansion targeted dry powder formulations. To meet growing demand in Ukraine and Europe, the company constructed a new production unit and modernized infrastructure, quadrupling capacity

"We built with plenty of headroom to meet future demand," explains Valentyna Bolokhovska.

In parallel, the company prioritized energy independence. Facilities feature three boiler houses, two diesel generators, steam generators for microbial cultivation and sterilization, and a high-capacity solar power plant commissioned in 2024.

9. Primary focus remains on developing manufacturing in Ukraine.

Locating production in Ladyzhyn is a strategic decision rather than a random choice, notes Valentyna Bolokhovska. It offers ideal domestic logistics, positioned right at the center of Ukraines agricultural belt, allowing rapid product shipments to central, southern, and western regions.

Building a factory abroad is not under consideration. The core focus remains on scaling production domestically.

"We firmly believe Ukraine possesses strong potential in biotechnology, and our mission is to develop this expertise at home. That is why we continue investing in manufacturing capacity, Ramp;D, and scaling our business inside Ukraine," states Valentyna Bolokhovska.

10. BTU is among the top 300 biologicals manufacturers worldwide.

According to research by the international organization Mixing Bowl, there are over 1,200 biological manufacturers globally. Out of these, 300 made the global map of top producers, including Ukrainian manufacturer BTU.

In Ukraine, the company is listed among the Top-10 fertilizer and agrochemical producers according to the Ukraine Business Award, boasting a 15% annual market growth rate.

11. The portfolio contains over 60 biological products.

Valentyna Bolokhovska notes that BTU is one of the few European manufacturers creating holistic microbiological solutions designed to restore soil microbiomes rather than single-purpose, narrow products.

Todays product line includes inoculants, mycorrhizal products, stubble digestants, bio-fungicides, biostimulants, and nutrient mobilizers.

12. Flagships include the bio-adhesive Liposam and the bio-decomposer Ecostern.

The company emphasizes that product success relies on consistent quality and rigorous adherence to manufacturing standards.

"We never compromise. We stick strictly to approved formulations without cheapening ingredients, leveraging our proprietary know-how," says Valentyna Bolokhovska.

13. Beyond agriculture: BTU Pharma produces Blastomunil, a natural immunomodulator.

"We have a product that saves human lives when the immune system fails, smiles Valentyna Bolokhovska when talking about Blastomunil. It doesnt fight the disease instead of the body; rather, it switches on hidden human reserves, enabling the persons own immune system to become the best doctor."

The company also produces dietary supplements based on beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, etc.). Valentyna Bolokhovska takes probiotics daily herself, crediting these beneficial microorganisms for keeping her active and vibrant at 75 years old.

14. Partnering with 36 agricultural holdings and over 3,000 farms.

Valentyna Bolokhovska recalls how in 2018, representatives from Druzhba-Nova (Kernel group) visited BTU after using their bio-decomposer. They noticed the absence of smut diseases on fields treated with the decomposer over several consecutive years. They suggested splitting the bacterial and fungal components of the product. The company adapted quickly, working with Kernel specialists to introduce bio-decomposers across various formulations — dry, gel, and liquid concentrates.

This grew into a strategic partnership: in 2023, BTU and Kernel signed a formal memorandum, followed by similar agreements with MHP, Astarta, UCAB, CFG, ATK, HARVEST MAXIMA, Binfield, and ICL Japan (a global leader in crop inputs).

These memoranda cover joint efforts on farm biologicalization, agricultural waste recycling, soil/water bio-remediation, biogas development, and joint education and eco-projects.

A special initiative with Kernel resulted in Field Studio — an educational platform demonstrating biological farming practices and active soil microbiology in real-world fields.

However, building partnerships wasnt always seamless. Team turn-overs within farm holdings meant research often had to restart from scratch to re-verify biological efficiency. Today, the company aims to work more closely with small and medium farms.

"While large enterprise holdings systematically trial biologicals using dedicated Ramp;D centers, smaller farms require a more tailored approach. Here, we adapt successful strategies to make biological solutions clear, accessible, and routine for every farmer," says Valentyna Bolokhovska.

15. BTU prioritizes soil health and was among the first in Ukraine to offer a systematic approach to ecosystem restoration, including war-damaged land.

Even before the full-scale invasion, the company founded the BTU Soil Health platform to restore soil fertility. Since 2020, BTU has hosted the national World Soil Day conference, uniting government, industry, science, and academia around land degradation challenges.

Over the past three years, BTU has conducted lab and field trials across Kharkiv, Kherson, and Khmelnytskyi oblasts. Scientists collect soil samples from explosion impact zones, analyze structural changes, and test bio-remediation products with sorptive capabilities. Specific crops capable of regenerating degraded soil are also being researched. The results confirm the effectiveness of bioremediation approaches

In 2023, the company introduced a specialized biotechnology solution for soil restoration — Ecostern Detox.

The following year, BTU signed a memorandum with Japans Harada Corporation to jointly evaluate soil fertility and microbiology using BIOTREX technology.

16. Supplying products to over 25 countries, with registration ongoing in roughly 25 more. In total, the company holds about 140 active product registrations worldwide. Over the past year alone, 50 products were registered across nine countries.

Systematic international expansion began about 12 years ago with the creation of a dedicated export department focused on Eastern and Western Europe. During that period, BTU became the first Ukrainian manufacturer to join IBMA (International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association).

Bringing biological products to foreign markets is a long process involving local field trials, efficacy verification, regulatory approvals, partner selection, and marketing. On average, it takes 3–5 years before sales launch.

Around 90% of export sales occur through distribution networks, though in select markets BTU deals directly with farming operations — mostly those met at international trade fairs.

Export shares fluctuate relative to domestic demand, reaching 18–35% of total turnover in peak years.

"Our key international markets are Germany, Bulgaria, Moldova, Slovakia, and Poland," notes Valentyna Bolokhovska.

17. In 2019, BTU incorporated a company in Germany, and in 2022 acquired land, offices, and temperature-controlled warehouses.

Today, the German branch manages sales logistics across EU and global markets, adapts technologies to European regulatory standards, and serves as a hub for business meetings and joint trials with scientific institutes to verify product performance.

Despite expanding its European presence, relocating manufacturing outside Ukraine is not on the table. Manufacturing a ton of product in Germany versus Ukraine incurs completely different costs, explains Valentyna Bolokhovska. High operational costs make offshore manufacturing economically impractical.

At the same time, BTU is open to contract manufacturing and private label partnerships globally.

"For us, the priority is guaranteeing consistent quality and meeting market demands," notes Valentyna Bolokhovska.

18. The bio-adhesive Liposam sees the highest international demand.

It consistently ranks among top sellers in Moldova and Slovakia, while accounting for over 60% of total revenue in Germany.

The second flagship product is the microbial fertilizer Groundfix, which ranks #1 in Bulgaria and sees high demand in Poland.

The nitrogen-fixing product Azotohelp is also in high demand, leading the Bulgarian market while selling strongly in Poland and Germany.

In soil health, the Ecostern line holds top positions — ranking #1 in Slovakia and among the bestsellers in Bulgaria and Poland.

People and Corporate Culture

19. BTU employs around 560 people, with roughly 300 working in manufacturing. 

Some employees have been with the company since its founding. Chief Microbiologist Olga Nahorna notes that working here blends scientific research with practical applications.

"I deeply value working in my field alongside like-minded professionals... True quality is born from the synergy of experience and knowledge," says Olha Nahorna.

Commercial Director Tetyana Khomenko joined BTU in 2011. After graduating from aviation university, she interviewed with BTUs founders directly at an agricultural trade fair.

"That marked my introduction to agriculture and biotech, which grew over the years into a true personal mission," shares Tetyana Khomenko.

Learning alongside microbiologists, biotechnologists, and agronomists, she earned degrees in economics and agronomy, progressing from junior manager to commercial director.

She values the people, the nurturing culture, and aligning company values with tangible results.

"Here, you dont just grow professionally; your mindset, decision-making, accountability, and understanding of scale evolve. Trust and the opportunity to mentor others are paramount. Today, we share Ukrainian biotech globally from our heart in Ladyzhyn. We dont just formulate microbial products; we work to keep soil alive and help farmers grow crops responsibly," adds Tetyana Khomenko.

Process Engineer Mayya Voloshyna has spent 26 years at BTU. She highlights the team dynamic, where seasoned experts work alongside young specialists to combine time-tested methodologies with fresh approaches.

"What I value most is responsibility and continuous scientific development. Seeing our company scale achievements domestically and internationally is truly inspiring," notes Mayya Voloshyna.

Chief Agronomist Oleksandr Rostotskyi emphasizes that BTU represents a broader philosophy of land restoration and public health.

"I love my job for its dynamism, continuous development, and seeing real field results. Every season brings new challenges and achievements," adds Oleksandr Rostotskyi.

20. Cultivating a culture where people stay long-term.

Valentyna Bolokhovska drew inspiration from the Japanese Family Company model, where employees can remain as long as they feel fulfilled.

This approach helped retain key talent. Alevtyna Blahodir, Deputy Director of Formulation Development, worked from day one, built a strong team, and now continues supporting new projects as an expert consultant.

BTU organizes regular team meetups, training sessions, knowledge-sharing, and internal seminars. Employees receive holiday gifts, and department heads are greeted personally by the founders. Valentyna Bolokhovska often gifts team members branded tote bags featuring reproductions of her paintings, weaving creativity into corporate life.

21. Rebranding in its 25th year.

In 2024, BTU-Center rebranded to BTU Biotech Company, updating its visual identity and brand positioning. Concurrently, the business structured operations into four core divisions: agricultural biologicals, human health solutions, an internal scientific institute, and domestic/international logistics.

22. Social initiatives: from supporting the Armed Forces to Smart Garden for children.

The company regularly invests in social initiatives: supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), helping children, and promoting agricultural biologicals.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, BTU has directed over UAH 10 million to support Ukrainian military forces. The company provides machinery, equipment, vehicles, supports volunteer causes, and meets urgent needs of military units.

In partnership with Continental Farmers Group, BTU runs the Smart Garden educational project for children, providing bio-product kits for growing crops. Over 39,000 kits have been distributed to more than 3,000 children.

BTU supports charitable projects like Path Home, donating 1,200 kg of clothing to women and children in difficult life circumstances.

Preserving cultural heritage is another pillar: together with the SVARGA brand, BTU launched the Agricultural Vyshyvanka (traditional embroidered shirt). Proceeds support restoring an 18th-century Cossack estate in Pokorshchyna.

Co-founder Valentyna Bolokhovska adds that corporate social responsibility also means caring for former employees. She keeps in touch with retired colleagues, regularly sending product care packages.

23. Valentyna Bolokhovska has created over 700 paintings and published five poetry collections.

She paints floral and natural landscapes. In spring, a personal art exhibition was hosted in Ladyzhyn at the local communitys initiative.

Her artwork extends beyond canvases onto custom tote bags. "I order 150 at a time, and they get snapped up instantly," she smiles, sharing that painting brings peace and joy.

She also writes poetry and has published five collections, two of which were released for her 70th birthday.

24. BTUs management challenges centered on key turning points.

The first was when Valentyna Bolokhovska decided to launch a family business at age 50. The second was launching the first bio-products and entering the agricultural market.

"Competition grew continuously, but we have the drive to be the best, " she says.

The full-scale war presented new trials. Some expansion plans were revised; instead of aggressive entry into new markets, the company adopted a measured strategy in selecting international markets. The main focus shifted to stabilizing business operations, retaining staff, and supporting partners.

Production facilities suffered physical damage, with blast waves damaging storage facilities and windows.

Valentyna Bolokhovska, Director of Prospects and Development, co-founder

25. Betting on exports and aiming for the global Top-10.

When asked about goals for the next five years, the team highlights international expansion and new product development.

"If we solve specific technological constraints, we can conquer half the world," says Valentyna Bolokhovska.

The ultimate goal is entering the top 10 global manufacturers of microbiological products. By portfolio diversity, the company is already approaching this milestone.

26. Unwavering philosophy: working with nature, not against it.

Despite expanding globally, the company affirms that its core principles remain unchanged: working for the land rather than depleting it. Focus areas include maintaining living soil, zero-waste manufacturing, and circular production cycles.

"At BTU, faith in science and long-term vision remain paramount. From day one, we built this company not for immediate gain, but as a system designed for the future — for soil, agriculture, and people," says Valentyna Bolokhovska.

Another principle is accountability for end results. Beyond selling products, BTU offers advisory support, implementation help, and field visits. Team development remains vital through investment in training, motivation, and retention.

27. What is BTUs formula for success?

Listen to market needs. Embrace new challenges and take decisive action.

Invest in scientific research and a strong team.

Accept mistakes: out of dozens of attempts, one succeeds — and that is normal.

If an investment fails, treat it as a valuable learning experience.

Above all, believe in what you do and truly love your craft