Innovative biopesticides production: valorisation of endemic plants and green industrial residues

Informations projet

BLOSTER

N° de convention de subvention: 673526

DOI

10.3030/673526

Projet clôturé

Date de signature de la CE 16 Juin 2015

Date de début 1 Juillet 2015

Date de fin 31 Decembre 2017

Financé au titre de

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials

Coût total

€ 1 850 594,38

Contribution de l’UE

€ 1 277 915,63

Coordonné par

AGROINDUSTRIAL KIMITEC SL
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - BLOSTER (Innovative biopesticides production: valorisation of endemic plants and green industrial residues)

Période du rapport: 2016-07-01 au 2017-12-31

Résumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet

A growing concern has been expressed in EU regarding the use of phytosanitary products in agriculture and the significant impacts in the environment, users and consumers’ health. Conventional pesticides are synthetic materials that kill or inactivate the pest mainly produced from non-renewable resources. There is an increasing demand for residue-free crop protection products, which lesser or none negative impact on environment and better safety features such as biopesticides. When used as a component of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Crop Management (ICM) programs, biopesticides can greatly decrease the use of conventional ones, while not affecting the crop yields. Biopesticides are also suitable for Organic Agriculture. BLOSTER aims to produce different kinds of biopesticides, showing clearly economic (competitiveness in price, creation of market opportunities for the proposer company KIMITEC and other European plant growers and green residues’ suppliers, encouragement of farmers’ competitiveness at global level), quality (R&D based solutions tested and validated following a pharmacological approach, controlled high quality raw material), safety (less use of chemical products, benefiting EU consumers and farmers at international level) and environmental (better use of natural resources with regards to the raw material used (W2R), less impact on the biodiversity, soil, water and air, less ecological footprint by avoiding raw material transport from third countries, is it will be produced in EU) advantages against the current conventional pesticides

Travail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent

BLOSTER project comprises 8 WPs, whose main achievements are: WP1: Extractions processes were optimized and validated for each raw material. Chemical and biological stability and homogeneity of both active ingredients and final formulates has been guaranteed trough continuous quality controls.WP2: Our own SAMO chemotype plants has been fully adapted under the conditions of Southeast Spain. Application of KIMITEC nutritional treatments (Mycogel) yielded highest biomass, homogenous chemical composition and highest biocidal activity when compared with the control. We can strongly recommend the application of microbiological fertilization in the coming years during all vegetative SAMO life cycle spam. WP3: Pilot plants were designed and put into operation for the tests. Operation parameters from the optimized large-scale extraction processes were adjusted. KIMITEC has the potential to obtain all the active ingredients in the desirable amount to be formulated into the BLOSTER biopesticides. Extracts from SAMO, CROCUS and Grape are stables in terms of concentration and homogeneity based on its extraction yield, metabolomics profile and biocidal activity. WP4: 5 formulations were designed and tested. Full bibliographic search on documented uses support the safety of BLOSTER raw materials used as active ingredients. Toxicological and eco-toxicological trials demanded by the markets have been conducted in certified laboratories and no expected risks for toxicity to the environment, animals and humans were showed. WP5: Efficacy of BLOSTER products against each target pest and crop have been proved by means of field tests. They have similar and/or higher efficacy than other commercial solutions both chemical and organic. Efficacy of MANTURON have been corroborated by three different potential task forces. WP6: LCA analysis has been conducted in accordance with UNE EN ISO 14040 and 14044. Environmental footprint of each BLOSTER product was assessed and recommendations to minimize and/or avoid the environmental impact were proposed. LCA impact assessment was compared with those of alternative conventional pesticides. In all cases, biopesticides showed smaller environmental load that the chemical pesticides. Cost Benefit Analysis was carried out and has served for the analysis of the costs associated to the productive system, taking into account the LC of the developed products. A dossier of BLOSTER biopesticides has been presented to the Task Forces identified. General information requested by KIWA BCS Öko Garantie in order to apply for the Organic Agriculture Certification was compiled. WP7: Several communication and dissemination activities have been carried out to push the market entry of the BLOSTER biopesticides. Project logo, website, social networks, promotional materials (flyer, posters, banner, video, newsletters) for the project presentation and dissemination at several events at national and international level. 3 workshops have been organised. Market analysis in target countries and a business plan was performed. WP8: Coordination and assessment the overall development of the project. KIMITEC has a fluent contact with the EC PO to deal with all projects issues and solve the different questions on the project. All project´s deliverables and reports has been submitted

Progrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent)

The BLOSTER impacts are summarises as follows:
Enhancing profitability and growth of KIMITEC as the biopesticides producer&distributor, by the acquisition of own and third parties’ knowledge on the production of novel bioactive substances with specific biocidal impacts on selected pests affecting important crops at EU and Global level such as tomato and peppers. KIMITEC estimation accounts for 1% of the expected global turnover (45-50M€)
Increase the investment of KIMITEC in innovation associated to the new biopesticides based on former R&D investments and improve the competitiveness of European businesses active in plant protection by securing competitive high-quality products. KIMITEC's strategy in the EU market is to form Task Forces with large multinational companies that are interested in our products, so that registration costs are shared among all partners of the Task Force.
Seizing global business opportunities by taking advantage of conventional and organic farming market demands on residue free products, with no harvest intervals, which are certified for Organic use and can be used within the IPM to fulfil: current legislative framework, and the even more restrictive private standards imposed by the larger food retailers. In priority 1 countries, USA, Mexico, Brazil, China and Chile, KIMITEC will have its own delegation throughout 2018
Preserving biodiversity by the use of biopesticides promoting the sustainable production with no negative environmental effects on soil, water, and living organisms’ health, and by optimising the cultivation of an endemic plant SAMO which is on extinction danger.
Ensuring efficient use of resources and sustainable economic growth by the replacement of chemical products by eco-products in farming practices and substantial waste reduction converting residues from saffron and wine production into resource (W2R) and by reducing crops losses due to the pests’ infestations.
Disseminate the project results amongst the broadest audience possible focus on key stakeholders and thus support BLOSTER products market penetration.
The production of the bioactive substances with biocidal activity against the proposed pests, has been successfully demonstrated. The results have been patented. By upscaling the BLOSTER production technologies and formulation of the products according to the requirements of farmers, a significant impact is expected, the market value for the new BLOSTER series of biopesticides can be estimated in more than 1.2 million in the first year of commercialisation

Project official logo