Harking back to 2012, the major acquisitions made by Bayer (AgraQuest), BASF (Becker Underwood), and Syngenta (Pasteuria Bioscience) signalled the beginning of the consolidation cycle in the bioprotection sector. Numerous other smaller deals have continued to drive mergers in recent years. With the biocontrol sector growing at 13-15 percent consolidated annual growth rate globally, innovative companies in the sector have remained highly attractive to investors.In the biostimulants sector, consolidation activity had been largely limited to companies already present in the sector – until recently. The landmark deal announced by Syngenta and Valagro late last year has had the same kind of impact on the biostimulants industry that the Bayer acquisition of AgraQuest had for bioprotection. DunhamTrimmer has observed a sharp increase in the M&A activity in biostimulants in the opening months of 2021.Today, the combined revenue of the two bio sectors exceeds US$6 billion. At current growth rates, driven by consumer demand and strong value being captured by manufacturers and growers, DunhamTrimmer predicts these two sectors will combine to surpass US$10 billion in revenue by 2025.Consolidation driversBeyond the top tier of manufacturers, both the biocontrol and biostimulant sectors remain highly fragmented with literally hundreds of companies participating globally. Consider that while just four companies represent more than 70 percent of the total revenue in the global crop protection market, it takes more than 20 biocontrol and
biostimulant companies to combine for the top 50 percent of total revenue in the biologicals market.The biggest challenge for most start-up companies is limited resources, both in terms of people and money. These limitations make it difficult for start-ups to fully exploit their technology in the market, even if it offers superior benefits. Larger companies and investors see this as an opportunity to leverage their superior cash position and acquire innovative technology – and the talented people who created it – through merger and acquisition deals.Another hurdle for many young biocontrol and biostimulant companies is market access. While these fledgling companies often have the ability to achieve success in their local markets, they typically lack the critical mass necessary to replicate that success on a broad scale. Moreover, their relative lack of experience and/or network means they may struggle to develop an effective distribution strategy for expansion to other countries and markets. The cost to build their own distribution network is formidable, with huge human resource needs exceeding most start-up companies’ capabilities.Conversely, larger bio companies (as well as multi-national crop protection companies) have already built the infrastructure needed to commercialize and market products globally. For the bio companies, expanding their portfolio by adding biostimulant, bioprotection and biofertilizer products from smaller competitors is an attractive path toward topline revenue growth. Building a compelling portfolio of solutions that addresses a wide range of grower problems will also
strengthen their market access in key areas. Similarly, traditional chemical crop protection companies have sought innovative biological technology through which they can participate in the fast-growing biological market and leverage the IP as a barrier to entry for competition.Trends and future predictionsSubstantial consolidation forces remain intact in both the biostimulant and biocontrol sectors as the synergies that can be achieved in this fragmented, but high-growth sector remain substantial.• Government policies favouring sustainability, such as the EU Green Deal, will create strong tailwinds for the biological markets and make them even more attractive acquisition targets for traditional crop protection and fertilizer companies.• In bioprotection, we will see more merger activity between companies already present in the sector as they continue to look for products to fill gaps in their portfolio, add
geographic strength and achieve the critical mass needed to be a leader in the sector.• In biostimulants, we see increased activity from larger companies outside the sector including traditional crop protection and fertilizer companies as well as capital investors.• Novel microbials with unique properties are being discovered through increased understanding of the importance of the plant biome and advancements in molecular biology. Leaders in this space will become attractive acquisition targets for global crop protection and fertilizer companies.• Precision agriculture tools which optimize timing and placement of biological products are natural allies. There have been some partnerships formed already exploiting this synergy ●
Mark Trimmer, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, DunhamTrimmer
Today, the combined revenue of the twobio sectors exceeds US$6 billion.
Over the last 10 years, a strong tendency for the transformation of agriculture in Greece and Europe in general has been observed. This tendency is caused by various factors of which the main are:1. The need of producing added value agricultural products.2. The ecological sensibility of the public.3. The political guidelines.4. The search for innovative, more efficient and more environmentally friendly agricultural inputs.Agricultural inputs play an important role in the transformation of agriculture, so companies which invest in R&D related to these inputs have become the protagonists of the market. One of the leaders in this sector is the Greek company HUMOFERT S.A.
HUMOFERT is a chemical and biotechnology company engaged in the production of a broad spectrum of fertilizers and innovative products for plant nutrition and health such as biostimulants, bioeffectors, soil conditioners and many others. The experience of the company's staff and its well-trained scientific workforce are the basis upon which the company has been grounded on, while the ongoing thirst of the company’s managers for evolution and investments has created a modern company with 30 years of existence in the market and continuously increasing exports in many countries of Europe, Asiaand Africa.The company's strategy is determined by three main principles:1. Quality2. Reliability3. Consistency
Based on these principles, the people of HUMOFERT set the course of the company, having always in mind the benefit of the end consumer, that is the professional and amateur grower. As part of the effort to create innovative new products of high quality, HUMOFERT systematically invests in research and development of new technologies, new production methods and new formulations.In collaboration with scientific institutions, universities and research centers, the company tests new products and experiments on various crops, discovering new benefits, arising from the application of its formulations on crops. This way the consumer feels safe that HUMOFERT will always provide him with smart solutions and products
that increase the yield of his crops and add value to his harvest.The intense concern of HUMOFERT for the environment and the impact of fertilizers and pesticides on it, has led the company to deal consistently with finding ecological solutions that
will contribute to reducing environmental pollution while ensuring the health and interest of the producer. For this reason, more and more new formulations of the company, are becoming environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional fertilizers and pesticides.
For years, HUMOFERT has focused its attention on biotechnology, studying the importance of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) in the development and health of plants. Systematic research on this area has created several new formulations for the plant nutrition (biofertilizers) and the improvement of the plants’ physical condition (bioeffectors) leading to the recognition of the company as a leader in the biotechnology area in the field of agricultural inputs in Greece●
Learn more about us at: www.humofert.eu
Kiriakos DemirtzoglouManaging DirectorHumofert
By Leonardo Gottems
Soybean plantation in southern Brazil.
The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) recently announced the creation of the National Bio-Inputs Program (PNB), with the objective of boosting the use and market of biological fertilizers and pesticides in the country. In an exclusive, New AG International interviews the initiative’s coordinator, Alessandro Cruvinel, who presents the current panorama and performance ofbio-inputs in Brazil, as well as the potential and future projections of this market in one of the largest agricultural producers in the world.
How do you evaluate the performance of thebio-input market last year?
The 2019-20 harvest was very important for the bio-input market in Brazil. Globally, the biopesticide segment grows at rates of 15 percent, according to international consultancy firm DunhamTrimmer. In Brazil, the increase reached 28 percent in revenue in 2020, according to data from consultancy firm Spark Smarter Decisions.In terms of area, the participation of soy area treated with biodefensives stands out, from 14 percent to 21 percent with at least one application of bio-based products. If this average growth continues, it is estimated that in the 2021-22 harvest, more than half of the soybean area will have
already received at least one application of biodefensive.The country now has the National Bio-Inputs Program, which was launched by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture in 2020. The program includes a strategic council made up of representatives of public and private organizations and will define priorities such as the regulatory issue to bring security to the sector. In addition, it will determine the credit for the area of science, technology and innovation (CT&I) and for the creation of so-called “bio-factories” in addition to online training to reach the largest possible audience in the guidance on the use and execution of good practices with these products.As a consequence, we believe these measures will expand the use of bio-inputs, especially in crop protection,
going from the current 2.6 percent of products used in agriculture to 20 percent by 2025, reaching R$2 billion in annual revenue (US$360 million, April 2021 exchange).
We also believe Brazil is moving towards becoming a leader in this market, currently led by countries in Europe and North America. All of this will translate into lower production costs and greater competitiveness for Brazilian products and, especially, to strengthen the adoption of sustainable practices in our agriculture.
What were the highlights among the biodefensives?
In 2020, the biodefensives segment had a turnover of approximately USD 307 million, 93 percent of which originates from four crops: soy (64 percent), sugar cane (18 percent), corn (six percent) and cotton (five percent). Considering the different categories, the highlight is bionematicides, which represent 36 percent of this market, followed by bioinsecticides, inoculants and biofungicides.A survey by Spark consultancy shows that 90 percent of soy producers – who used biodefensives – when asked if they would reapply, responded positively, demonstrating confidence in this defensive category.Also noteworthy is the sugar cane culture, which uses bio-based products, which already cover 45 percent of the entire planted area, as a result of the level of organization of the plants and their research and development and production integration programs.
How do you evaluatethe current panoramaof biostimulants andspecial biologicalfertilizers in Brazil?
Initially, it is necessary to explain that there are issues of different nomenclature and definitions between Brazil and other European countries and the United States. The focus here will be on biofertilizers and biostimulants that are treated in Brazil as inoculants and biofertilizers, respectively.
In the case of inoculants, Brazil has generated innovative technologies such as biomaphos, phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria that have the potential to generate savings of USD 40 billion. This value represents an estimate of phosphorus already applied, but not available, for plants in Brazilian agricultural areas. As the country concentrates 20 percent of the planet's biodiversity and institutions with rich collections of microorganisms with the potential to be used as inoculants (biofertilizers) and as biofertilizers (biostimulants), a new movement of development of new products with great potential is already taking place, since agriculture in Brazil is of a gigantic scale.Therefore, any reduction in the use of chemical fertilizer represents many fewer tons, less dependence on imported fertilizers, less greenhouse gas emissions and more sustainable agriculture. Finally, we identified that. This market is expected to grow at rates above 15 percent in other countries and a growth trend of at least 28 percent per year is already being identified.
How can the NationalBio-Inputs Program contribute to the growthof the vegetable nutrition sector?
The contribution can be made, at least, on three fronts of the National Bio-Inputs Program: a) expansion of innovation by heating the innovation ecosystems and connecting private companies with research institutions that today have 23 collections with tens of thousands of microorganisms already identified, thus accelerating the generation of new products, creating new startups in the sector and development of partnerships in open innovation; b) adjustment in the regulation theme, making the registration of products less bureaucratic, but maintaining the safety and effectiveness of the products; c) training of technicians combined with genetic engineering and agriculture 4.0, which requires professionals with other skills and competencies, understanding the theme Bio with Bite forming the B2 that should be the new revolution in world agriculture.Just as an example, there is a startup on the market that will survey the genetic profile of microorganisms in the soil and the bio-inputs can be customized according to what is in the soil, becoming a much more efficient application, considering genetics of the soil microbiota.This scenario is already a reality, but there is a need for professionals who understand how to use these new tools, and the National Bio-Inputs Program will support this revolution.
Is the biggest movement and investment in this sector on the part of Brazilian or foreign industries?
The production of bio-based products has fewer entry barriers than the production of synthetic products. In this sense, we can observe an increase in the number of small- and medium-sized companies participating in this market. We do not yet have exact billing data by group of national or international companies, but we are in the process of contracting a survey for this purpose.
How do you project the performance of the bio-input sector in 2021? And in the medium and long term?
The projection is for accelerated growth. We believe that if the indicated increase rates are maintained, we can arrive in 2021 with four percent of the total pesticide market, and 20 percent in 2025.A number higher than the global market share projected by consulting companies like DunhamTrimmer would be 10 percent. This is because Brazil is having a good time, especially with the development of the National Bio-Inputs Program and with several sectors making investments both in production and in research, development and innovation in the area●
Alessandro Cruvinel, National Program Coordinator at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply
How would Tradecorp describe the value of this event?At Tradecorp we firmly believe that Farm to Fork Europe responds to the need to build relationships between all stakeholders, to jointly pursue synergies and find responses to the challenges posed by society and consumers. European policy reflects these challenges through the Farm to Fork strategy.This event is therefore an excellent meeting point for the entire food chain in Europe, including the biostimulant industry. Tradecorp is a major player and we aim to have an impact on European society, where sustainability and respect for social rights are intrinsic indicators. Therefore, we must assume the responsibility afforded by our position, taking advantage of this type of forum to increase our outreach and our perceived value by the food chain itself and by society in general.We also see this congress as a fantastic opportunity to learn more about how technology and the evolution of biostimulants can help farmers to deliver what consumers, the food industry and retailers demand in terms of quality, quantity and sustainability, whilst tackling the effects of abiotic stress that can potentially diminish crop quality parameters and productivity.
It is also a very interesting area for investors. Our industry plays a key role in the future of our society: we work with farmers to produce food for a growing global population and we also help them to respond to the demands of a consumer segment, such as European consumers, who are increasingly concerned about what they eat. Of course, we also play a fundamental part in safeguarding the environment. And we are in an anti-cyclical sector.Finally, it is also a forum where the knowledge of the most experienced companies can serve as an inspiration for firms that are just starting out in the field. This is a space where new ideas have an excellent opportunity to find platforms which can transform them into high-impact projects for European society.
A theme for the opening day, 22 June, is investment. On the opening day, José Alfredo García, COO Bionutrition, Tradecorp, will talk about “the sustainable path for investees: leveraging the power of investment in your company over time.” It's an intriguing title. Without giving too much detail away, what are some of the main ideas in the presentation?One of the key points of the presentation will be how value creation at each and every link in the chain is critical to success and how this changes over time. Solutions that delivered significant value in the past may today be considered as commodities with no special contribution and, in the near future, may even be replaced by others that provide greater value.How can we prevent this loss of value? How can we continue to respond to the needs of society in general and of consumers through farmers and distributors? And how can we ensure that this also translates into shareholder value? The answer lies in evolution and innovation. At Tradecorp, we believe that continuous evolution, constantly reinventing ourselves, is the driving force to generate value in a market as dynamic and competitive as ours.We are seeing trends in the market that were niche areas in the past and are now becoming mainstream. For example, we are witnessing an increase in demand for organic products; consumers and governments are concerned about safe, healthy food; environmental protection has become a priority. And while these new trends are beginning to shape the market, others are emerging, some will disappear without a trace and others will be here to stay.
There will be a panel on understanding the current investment arena on the opening day. How does Tradecorp view the current investment arena in relation to the themes of Farm to Fork (themes being the use of ag-tech and role of biostimulants for driving sustainable solutions for the food chain)?The Green Deal conveys the need for European society to curb over-fertilization, increase organic farming and reverse biodiversity loss, among others. And the role of biostimulants and technology in achieving these goals is essential.Biostimulants are solutions that contribute to food production and have an impact on food quality, nutrient use efficiency, abiotic stress management, and the mobilization and availability of nutrients in the soil. Moreover, they can be used to a large extent in organic farming and are therefore critical tools to meet the challenge posed by the Farm to Fork strategy. In this regard, technology applied to agriculture increases the efficiency of biostimulants by adjusting doses and application times according to the climate and the agro-climatic zone where the crop is grown, among others.Investors target projects that are aligned with their strategies and that are attractive to their stakeholders. Therefore, given that the Farm to Fork strategy aims to be a vehicle to develop a food system based on how European society understands food sustainability, with 2030 and 2050 as its target milestones, thus contributing to improving lifestyles, health and the environment, it is logical that investment funds and companies from other agricultural sub-sectors should be increasingly
interested in the biostimulants industry, as they are looking for profitability in businesses that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable in the long term.This is why we believe that companies that today have taken the decision to look for external capital in investment rounds should focus their efforts on enhancing and highlighting how they work to minimize the environmental impact of their operations and how their solutions respond to the needs of European society, in this case, in terms of sustainability and the objectives of the Farm to Fork strategy.
The “next-generation food chain” – there are a lot of ideas in this phrase, including sustainability, policy and agribusiness. How does Tradecorp see them all coming together?The next generation of the food chain is aligned with a vision of our society in which people are the core and sustainability is all-encompassing. And right now we are witnessing the creation of this framework, through the Farm to Fork strategy which, as you say, tackles this transformation at all levels, from the areas involved (sustainability, policies and business) to all the links in the value chain, since engaging and encouraging each one of them is key to success in this huge challenge that the European Union has set itself.We have a profound transformation ahead of us, from driving consumer demand for certain types of more sustainable and healthier foods to a holistic shift in the way these foods are produced, so that they are more sustainable, safe, sufficient and, of course, still affordable, ensuring the industry's economic sustainability. This is a real challenge, but also an excellent opportunity to reconcile our food system with the needs of the planet and to respond to European consumer demand for healthy, balanced and environmentally friendly food.Farm to Fork will undoubtedly bring with it an opportunity for differentiation. And at Tradecorp, we are already committed to this transformation. To continue to be the first choice of thousands of farmers around the world, we must provide them with tools that help them to respond to the demands of consumers and supermarkets, adapting to regulations, such as those of Farm to Fork, and also ensuring that their businesses remain profitable. Within the Farm to Fork framework, Tradecorp aims to be the farmer’s ally, responding to their needs at European and global level, because this has only just begun.
Are there any outcomes or initiatives that Tradecorp would like to see develop from the Farm to Fork conference?Farm to Fork is already a reality, but what is the perception of the different stakeholders in the value chain? What are the trends that are emerging, and which ones will be crucial in the future?What has been the impact of COVID on this challenge? The youngest generation, who are probably teenagers today, will become one of the main consumer groups in the next 10 years, together with mature adults, who will become an older segment in the future but with greater purchasing power. What new demands will they bring with them?Farm to Fork is just the start and if the industry wants to be prepared for what is to come, participation in forums like this one is essential, as this is where trends begin to be detected and where the different agents in the value chain exchange impressions and needs, because this challenge cannot be tackled individually. Aligning the demands and needs of consumers, farmers and retailers is fundamental to find the tools needed to tackle this formidable task and, above all, to prepare ourselves for the challenges that will emerge in the coming years. At Tradecorp, we already have our eyes wide open and when they appear, we will be ready for them●
Syngenta Crop Protection AG and Valagro S.p.A. have decided not to pursue their interest for SICIT Group S.p.A. and to abandon the intention to launch a voluntary tender offer over SICIT Group's shares pursuant to articles 102 and 106, fourth paragraph, of the Italian Financial Act.On 6 May, Syngenta and Valagro confirmed the two companies submitted a non-binding expression of interest to the board of directors of SICIT Group, listed on the MTA, Star Segment, of Borsa Italiana.The expression of interest conveyed their intention to submit an all-cash voluntary tender offer for SICIT’s entire share capital at a price of EUR 17.30 per share.In a statement, Syngenta and Valagro stated they “appreciate the availability of SICIT Group to consider our interest and the access to confirmatory due diligence information. Syngenta and Valagro continue to be impressed with the SICIT Group team, business and products.”Nonetheless, the companies stated that circumstances left it difficult for them to develop a reasonable path forward for a transaction.“We, of course, continue to wish the best success for SICIT Group and all associated with SICIT Group,” the statement said. ●
Cyanobacteria, also known as green-bluish seaweed, works as the foundation for a new biostimulant that is now part of Embrapa Agroenergy's gene bank. The finding is a chemical signaler that induces and improves plant physiological processes, resulting in greater vigour and yield.The technology was developed through a partnership between Embrapa, the company Dimiagro (which specializes in the fertilizer market), the Brazilian Service of Support to Micro and Small Businesses (Sebrae), and the Brazilian Industrial Innovation Corporation (Embrapii). It consists of a mix of dry cyanobacteria extracts with a foliar fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as micronutrients boron, zinc and molybdenum.“In specific growth conditions, the cyanobacteria produced reasonable amounts of the indole-3-ascetic acid phytohormone, which is a chemical signaler for the multiplication of cells and tissues, and of salicylic acid, which is related to the stimulation of the plant defense system,” said Embrapa researcher César Miranda, head of the Macrofert project.In controlled greenhouse conditions, the production of soybean and corn significantly benefited from the product and had an increase in plant growth and rooting as high as 10 percent.“We observed that the plants that received the product grew to be more vigorous and productive than those that were not applied with it,” noted Miranda. He added the results were similar to the ones recorded with the application of similar doses of a foliar fertilizer with extracts of the macroalgae Ascophyllum – native to the north of the Atlantic Ocean – an already established practice in the market that has good acceptance.In the national market there are some brands of foliar fertilizer with macroalgae extracts available, most of which are imported, since the Brazilian legislation does not allow seaweed extraction along the seacoast. Thus, the initial idea of the research project was to find a substitute with similar or better efficiency than the imported extracts to formulate a seaweed-based fertilizer.“The cyanobacteria that compose our extract are fully cultivated in the laboratory in a clean, zero-waste process. This allows us to use this species from the Brazilian biodiversity without exploring it through extraction and causing damage to the environment. And it also guarantees the product has controlled quality,” said Miranda.Tests to increase the production scale is underway, as is the second stage of the Macrofert project. “We are going to initiate a cycle of at least another two years of experimentation and improvement to have confidence of the real potential of algae extract production to meet the market demand according to the current pattern of use,” said Miranda. The second research stage will also include production cost analyses and field studies in actual production conditions ●
Invaio Sciences, Inc. and Fundecitrus are collaborating to evaluate the use of a novel natural peptide to control citrus greening (HLB) in Brazilian citrus trees.The agreement will leverage Fundecitrus’ expertise in citrus grove and pest management to evaluate application details of the novel peptide maSAMP in locally relevant conditions. The peptide, developed by Dr. Hailing Jin of the University of California Riverside, and licensed for global commercialization by Invaio, has previously been proven under greenhouse conditions to reduce the multiplication of pathogen that causes HLB/citrus greening – a severe plant disease carried by an insect called the Asian citrus psyllid that has dramatically and rapidly threatened the citrus industry by devastating millions of acres of citrus crops throughout the world.Fundo de Defesa da Citricultura (Fund for Citrus Protection) – Fundecitrus is an association maintained by citrus growers and juice manufacturers from the State of São Paulo, Brazil, to foster the sustainable development of the citrus industry. Founded 44 years ago, the organization promotes the sustainable development of citrus production in Brazil.
Fundecitrus has been leading efforts to ensure that Brazilian citrus growers have access to the latest technologies, techniques, and information enabling the sustainable production of citrus products.“Brazil is currently the largest producer of oranges in the world, with 17 million tons of the fruit produced annually (21 percent of global production) and supplying over 50 percent of global juice production. The collaboration will focus on the application of Invaio’s pioneering technologies to evaluate efficacy and assess measurable improvements to tree health,” said Peleg Chevion, president and chief commercial officer at Invaio Sciences. “We are already testing the technology in field trials in Florida; the goal of the Fundecitrus collaboration is to bring the benefit of this game changing technology to Brazil, as well as to other citrus growing regions, which have already suffered, or are expected to suffer immense losses from the devastating effects of the HLB disease.” ●
Kula Bio, a company that provides sustainable nitrogen solutions, has closed a US$10 million seed round. The round was led by Collaborative Fund with participation from environmental funds, including The Nature Conservancy, Lowercarbon Capital, and the Grantham Environmental Trust’s Neglected Climate Opportunities Fund.Founded in 2018, Kula Bio makes Kula-N, a next generation nitrogen biofertilizer that helps farmers maintain yield and reduce environmental impact from traditional, synthetic nitrogen
fertilizers. Kula-N is patent-protected method – derived from peer reviewed research performed at Harvard University – that boosts a naturally occurring process of biological nitrogen fixation. Kula-N can be applied via irrigation and works for all crops.“At Kula Bio we’re proud to be backed by investors who truly believe in and share our mission,” said Bill Brady, founding CEO and director of Kula Bio. “With this support, we have initiated key hires focused on operations, sales, marketing, agronomy, and research and development.Additionally, we’re in the process of developing our first pilot manufacturing site. We are intensifying our efforts to get our product to more hardworking farmers and continue to push the agricultural industry to a more sustainable future.”Other investors in the round include AgFunder, BOPU, Box Group, Decent Capital, Embark Ventures, iSelect Fund, and Pillar VC. ●
At Kula Bio we’re proud to be backed by investors who truly believe in and share our mission
Tradecorp and Landlab have presented the Biotool Platform project to the Eurostars initiative. This tool aims to measure the effect of biostimulants on plants and improve crop yields through efficient water use.
Given the planet’s limited water resources, the industry is focusing on the development of new technologies and the use of new products, such as biostimulants, to help growers maximize water efficiency. In this context, tools such as the Biotool Platform can encourage the production of new biostimulants that are increasingly efficient not only in terms of crop yields, but also in terms of plant water management. The Biotool Platform will improve understanding of how water is used in greenhouse crops and how to optimize the way it is managed through biostimulants.The project, developed by Tradecorp and Landlab, combines the know-how and experience of both organizations. Tradecorp provides its experience in the development and production of biostimulants, as well as its production expertise and market knowledge. It will be in charge of testing and validating the new biostimulants on different types of crops, soil and weather conditions. Landlab is a research centre specializing in the assessment, cultivation and development of prototypes, products, techniques and strategies for nutrition, biostimulation and plant protection.The Biotool project has been presented to the European Union’s Eurostars programme which supports SMEs in R&D projects, as is the case of Landlab. Eurostars funds transnational projects set up and led by SMEs, involving at least two partners from different participating countries, and lasting no longer than three years. The ultimate goal of the project is to transfer knowledge to the market. Therefore, within two years of the completion of the research period, the product must be ready for market launch.In previous studies, Tradecorp reached the conclusion that biostimulants can help plants to overcome moments of water stress when applied in a preventive way, i.e., a Primactive effect. Against this background, reduced water use and the joint application of new Tradecorp biostimulants, developed in the Biotool project, can improve yields with less water. ●
De Sangosse has acquired Fertiplus France and its international subsidiaries, Fertiplus Agrosciences, Bioveg and Synagro.This deal strengthens the De Sangosse position in the strategic business area of plant nutrition at the global level.Founded in 1984, Fertiplus is a specialist in plant nutrition solutions, and more particularly biostimulants. The partnerships forged with several competitiveness hubs, including QualiMediterranée, Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation and Cirad, give farmers access to effective, profitable solutions that play a full role in environmental protection.According to Jérôme Peltier, Fertiplus director, signing the strategic agreement is excellent news for the development of projects commenced several years ago.“It is indeed a decisive step, and one that makes us proud, for the future of our companies, as well as for our partners,” he said. “This agreement, bolstered by so many synergies with the De Sangosse group, a reference European player in biosolutions, will be of benefit to all our historical and future partners by boosting considerably our international presence, at their side, as well as through a new offer in terms of depth of range and services.”Biostimulants, already widely developed in the group by Agronutrition, Servalesa and Nutrient Technologies, represent huge development potential by offering farmers efficient technical solutions in line with environmental expectations. Under a combinatorial approach, incorporating agronomy, soil life (biofertilization), biocontrol and decision-making tools, they contribute to the development of new agroecological models.“In a rapidly changing market, the R&D, industrial, marketing and commercial synergies between Fertiplus, Agronutrition and the group's international subsidiaries will allow us to strengthen our presence in the major agricultural regions, especially Asia, Africa and South America,” said Nicolas Fillon, CEO, De Sangosse Group. “This agreement confirms our commitment to bring plant nutrition and biostimulation solutions to the market to serve a productive and competitive agriculture.”Fertiplus France, with its production site based in the region of Barcelona in Spain will rely on the resources of the De Sangosse group to continue to develop new products.●
It is indeed a decisive step, and one that makes us proud, for the future of our companies, as well as for our partner
Corteva Agriscience and Elemental Enzymes, a life sciences company that develops novel biotechnology and enzymes solutions, have entered into a multi-year global agreement around a unique abiotic stress mitigation technology.Through the agreement, Corteva receives an exclusive license to Elemental Enzymes’s Waterflux technology. The optimized osmoprotectant blend provides plants with small organic molecules that help crops overcome abiotic stressors such as soil salinity, drought, and extreme temperatures, helping keep them productive and healthy.Corteva will offer this technology through a family of products to be branded under the name Sosdia Abiotic Stress Mitigator/Biostimulant. Two different products and formulations will be offered for a broad range of crops, including specialty and row crops, sugar cane, and turf and ornamental, as well as range and pasture. Pending appropriate registrations, Corteva will launch the products globally, excluding Australia and New Zealand territories.●
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