ECO-FRIENDLY AND BREAKTHROUGH MITE TREATMENT FOR HONEY BEES

Project Information

VATOREX

Grant agreement ID: 101009187

DOI

10.3030/101009187

Project closed

EC signature date 21 September 2020

Start date 1 October 2020

End date 31 March 2023

Funded under

• PRIORITY 'Societal challenges

Total cost

€ 2 684 632,50

EU contribution

€ 1 642 975,25

Coordinated by

VATOREX AG
Switzerland

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - VATOREX (ECO-FRIENDLY AND BREAKTHROUGH MITE TREATMENT FOR HONEY BEES )

Reporting period: 2021-10-01 to 2023-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Bees are indispensable for food security, the economy and biodiversity. But the world's bee populations are under threat. One of the primary causes of honey-bee losses is the varroa mite. The methods for reducing the impact of varroa have proven ineffective as long-term solutions.

For beekeepers seeking more effective and ecologically positive solutions, the Thermo Guard developed by Vatorex enables consistent and automated control of the parasitic varroa mite, resulting in healthier, more productive colonies.

The Thermo Guard is a bee brood chamber that utilizes thermal energy to eradicate varroa and the viruses they spread. Patented coils within the brood combs are heated to 42 °C over 3-hour periods. An algorithm that detects ideal brood conditions schedules consistent repeat treatments to avoid reinfestation without damage to brood. The Thermo Guard integrates with all common hive types.

We believe in a world with bees. By combining relevant apicultural experience with the latest in scientific research and technology, Vatorex becomes the new standard in beekeeping technology - fostering more robust food systems and better biodiversity.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The main goal of the project is to develop the Vatorex heat treatments and technology towards product-market-fit. The work performed in the period of the first 12 months was focused on the hardware development, software development, finding and improving treatment parameters and algorithms, prepare production capabilities and onboard pilot installations in addition to communication and dissemination activities.
The most mentionable results can be summarized as follows:
- Hardware development of «Apibrain CPU» and «Hive Connect» was finalized
- Software releases (app stores) of «Hive Manager» app
- Thermal treatment parameters optimized, including «Memory-Function» algorithm and improved heat profile algorithm
- Production capability increased to meet the demand of the upcoming two years
- Participation in several communication and dissemination activities, e.g. «InVivo Quest Europe» finalist, «Thrive Bayer Sustainability Challenge» finalist, Innosuisse certification

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

We aim to further progress for the future of the project, building upon the successfully reached deliverables and milestones from the first year.
Our focus lies on these points:
- From concept to prototype: develop the new user-friendly concept into a product, ready to be used for pilot trials in 2022
- Onboard commercial pilot trials: test our technology in commercial environments over at least one season
- Implementation of the supply chain: set up the supply chain to prepare our production capabilities for scaled-up demand
- Ecosystem work: further develop the Vatorex ecosystem with hardware and software product extensions
This will lead to an improved and shelf-ready product with proofed impact on honey-bee health. Through a growing base of customers, Vatorex will generate an even bigger impact with its breakthrough technology.

The Heatable frames apply the treatment at 42 °C to the bee brood.