Sustainable Bioinspired Wax Coating for Multi-Functional Crop Protection

Project Information

SafeWax

Grant agreement ID: 101099462

DOI

10.3030/101099462

EC signature date 22 December 2022

Start date 1 March 2023

End date 28 February 2027

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 2 868 446,25

EU contribution

€ 2 868 446,25

Coordinated by

TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Israel

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SafeWax (Sustainable Bioinspired Wax Coating for Multi-Functional Crop Protection)

Reporting period: 2024-05-01 to 2025-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

In a world increasingly challenged by fungal infections and ecological concerns from chemical fungicides, especially in European vineyards where 67% of all fungicides in the EU are used, there is a critical need for sustainable crop protection solutions. This project introduces SafeWax, a revolutionary antifungal coating inspired by the natural hydrophobic properties of plant cuticles. Utilizing fatty acids, SafeWax not only minimizes fungal growth and reduces the reliance on harmful chemicals but also enhances water efficiency by collecting and redirecting dew to the soil, using vegetable waste as a sustainable raw material.

SafeWax is designed to protect various crops, demonstrating its effectiveness on key Mediterranean crops like grapevines, tomatoes, and wheat. This aligns with strategic European agricultural policies such as the Green Deal, aiming to support sustainable farming practices and reduce pesticide use. The potential impacts of SafeWax are substantial, offering economic relief by lowering the costs of managing crop diseases.

Beyond its economic and environmental benefits, SafeWax provides farmers with a viable alternative to traditional pesticides, promoting healthier ecosystems and safer food production while adapting to climate change. This project not only protects crops but also supports a shift towards more sustainable agriculture, marking a significant step forward in meeting global agricultural challenges.

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

During the 2nd Reporting Period, SafeWax achieved major progress toward its core objectives. The final formulation was established, identifying stearic and palmitic acids as optimal fatty acids. Both solvent-based (EtAc) and solvent-free spray application methods were optimized, achieving 60–90% leaf coverage sufficient to impart superhydrophobicity. The solvent-free technology advanced to patent filing.
SafeWax coatings demonstrated strong, repeatable antifungal performance, including ~98% reduction of Plasmopara viticola on grapevine disks and 67% efficacy nine days post-treatment on potted plants—comparable to copper-based fungicides but with a 15-day spray interval. Open-field vineyard trials in summer 2025 confirmed ~70% disease reduction at 14-day intervals, outperforming leading biopesticides (65–68% efficacy).
SafeWax also inhibited Fusarium culmorum development on synthetic substrates and detached leaves under varying temperature and humidity, supporting its applicability to other crops. Phytotoxicity tests showed only minor physiological changes (≤8%) compared with controls, far below those caused by copper or sulfur treatments (>60%).
Environmental and socio-economic analyses confirmed significantly lower impact scores for solvent-free SafeWax than for 43 conventional fungicides. Shelf-life tests validated short-term stability (3 months) and long-term baseline stability of 2–5 years.
Beyond antifungal action, SafeWax provided thermal protection, lowering leaf temperature by 5–7 °C, and exhibited water-harvesting properties by delaying dew formation and promoting droplet removal.
Finally, the regulatory pathway was redefined: composed solely of naturally derived fatty acids acting via a passive superhydrophobic mechanism, SafeWax is no longer classified under PPP Regulation 1107/2009 but is being positioned as a Superhydrophobic Physical Barrier under more suitable regulatory provisions.

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)

SafeWax represents a significant advancement beyond the current state of the art in crop protection coatings and bio-based surface technologies. Unlike conventional fungicides or biopesticides, which rely on biochemical activity and require frequent reapplication, SafeWax operates through a purely physical passive mechanism, forming a superhydrophobic, bio-based coating that prevents water accumulation and pathogen colonization.

SafeWax solvent-free formulation, composed of naturally derived saturated fatty acids, delivers an environmentally-friendly alternative to copper- or sulfur-based fungicides. While SafeWax achieves up to 90% leaf coverage, the coating retains optical transparency (>60%) in the photosynthetically active range, a performance balance not achieved by existing protective films (typically below 20-30%).

Open-field validation demonstrated maintained antifungal efficacy at 15-day spray intervals, surpassing leading commercial biopesticides (SafeWax 70–85% efficacy vs. 58–62% for commercial counterparts). This marks a paradigm shift from weekly applications typical of conventional products, reducing labor, water, and material inputs.

Furthermore, SafeWax introduces a new functional domain via combining infrared reflectance–induced cooling (5–7 °C leaf temperature reduction) with UV shielding and water-harvesting capabilities, providing integrated protection against abiotic stress.

Collectively, these results establish SafeWax as a novel multifunctional coating offering physical protection, climate adaptation, and sustainability benefits that clearly offer an alternative to existing agricultural surface crop protection technologies.

Key needs to ensure further uptake and success:

Further Research: To consolidate and extend SafeWax’s proof of concept, additional research and demonstration activities are needed. Multi-season, multi-crop semi- and open-field trials should be conducted under different climatic conditions to confirm durability, reapplication frequency, and crop compatibility.

IPR Support: The solvent-free formulation is currently under patent filing, securing core intellectual property. Ongoing IPR support will include freedom-to-operate analysis, national and international patent prosecution, and exploration of licensing or joint-development models.

Access to Markets: To ensure smooth market entry, SafeWax requires engagement with agrochemical distributors, cooperatives, and vineyard associations to define distribution channels and application protocols. A detailed business model and cost–benefit analysis will be developed to highlight reduced spray frequency and environmental climate-change mitigating advantages.

Supportive Regulatory Framework: Given that SafeWax acts via a passive, physical-barrier mechanism, continued dialogue with regulatory national and international authorities is essential to confirm its classification as a Superhydrophobic Physical Barrier rather than a Plant Protection Product (PPP) under Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009. Preparation of a targeted regulatory dossier and engagement with standardisation bodies will ensure alignment with EU environmental and safety requirements.

TOC image of the SafeWax concept publication in Small.

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