Alceu Elias Feldmann, born around 1949 in Santa Catarina, Brazil, is the self-made founder of Fertipar, Brazil’s fertilizer giant. His background is deeply rooted in the Brazilian agribusiness sector, giving him an acute, practical understanding of the agricultural market and its needs.

His career path was driven by specialized, technical knowledge: he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the Federal University of Parana (UFPR). Following his graduation, he began his professional journey as a fertilizer salesman for the company Ultrafértil. This hands-on role gave him direct, crucial contact with farmers across southern Brazil, allowing him to observe the fragmented nature of the market and the specific, localized demands of different crop sectors—an insight that became the basis for his future empire.

Feldmann’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1980 when he leveraged his decade of experience as a salesman and agricultural engineer to found Fertipar. He started small, renting a warehouse in the key port city of Paranaguá, Paraná, the main port of entry for fertilizer raw materials.

His timing was strategic: the devastating 1975 frost had wiped out most of the Paraná coffee industry, leading farmers to pivot to soybeans, a crop that demanded sophisticated, customized fertilizers. Feldmann’s genius was in creating a decentralized business model that allowed him to offer the exact, customized blends required for specific regions, something competitors were not doing. This strategy of operational efficiency and localized specialization allowed Fertipar to grow rapidly and methodically. The company, which he chairs as President and CEO, now controls approximately 15% of the Brazilian fertilizer market and generates billions in revenue, making him one of Brazil’s wealthiest self-made individuals.

Alceu Elias Feldmann’s social contribution is primarily tied to the stability and immense scale of the Fertipar Group, which is a critical player in Brazil's agribusiness and food security. His company provides essential inputs that fuel Brazil's position as a global agricultural leader.

His business model itself is considered socially impactful. By providing customized products and maintaining operational efficiency, Fertipar contributes to the economic strength of Brazilian agriculture, which supports millions of rural producers. Furthermore, he has been recognized with civic honors for his contributions to the region, including the granting of the 'Honorary Citizen' title by the Legislative Assembly of Paraná State, recognizing his decades of influence and wealth creation.