Project description
Safer, non-toxic and effective biopesticides
Similar to pathogens that cause disease in humans and animals, plant pathogens can spread from plant to plant. Responsible for more than a third of food loss, they threaten feed and food production. To protect plants, farmers rely on plant protection products, which use chemicals that may cause more harm; chemical residues contaminate soil, water, plants and their products and threaten consumers and livestock. The French LIPOFABRIK developed and patented a suite of innovative biopesticide molecules of biological origin, lipopeptides. While these are effective and eco friendly, they can be produced at a small scale. The EU-funded LIPOFABRIK project will optimise this technology to achieve industrial production capability. The overall aim is to provide safer, non-toxic and effective biopesticides.
Objective
Plant pathogens are a major threat to feed and food production, being responsible for the loss of over 40% of the world food produce. Also, feed and food contaminated with microbes or their toxic by-products is banned from the market and lift trade barriers. Producers rely on plant protection products to fight pathogens, but since most of them have chemical origin, their use entails major risks. Along the hazard for the exposed applicators, chemical residues contaminate soil, water, plants and their products, posing a major threat for consumers and livestock. To reduce these risks, authorities are banning many chemicals from their use in plant protection, leaving the market with no effective alternatives. In response, we at LIPOFABRIK have developed and patented a suite of innovative biopesticide molecules of biological origin, lipopeptides. Our biopesticide molecules are effective and eco-friendly, with proven protective properties that spare plants from damaging agents, but also prevent the deposit of residues or contaminants. Today, we are able to produce and commercialize our lipopeptides at a small scale, but the need for lipopeptides in agriculture, seed protection or gardening reaches up to several hundreds of tonnes per year. This need is not being met today. Thus, the ultimate objective of this project is to optimise our technology and achieve the industrial capability to cover the market need. To achieve this goal, in Phase 1 we will conduct a Feasibility Study to help us gather input on the main technical, commercial and financial aspects influencing the project. Once completed, our project will bring significant benefits for agriculture, environment and society. It will supply safer, non-toxic and effective biopesticides, reducing the incidence of poisoning and related chronic diseases. In turn, it will secure LIPOFABRIK’s growth, expecting to reach €4.5 million profits, 20 new employees and a ROI of €6.9 per euro invested in 5 years after completion.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.2. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.2.4. - Sustainable and competitive bio-based industries and supporting the development of a European bioeconomy
- H2020-EU.3.2.1. - Sustainable agriculture and forestry
- H2020-EU.2.3.1. - Mainstreaming SME support, especially through a dedicated instrument
- H2020-EU.3.2.2. - Sustainable and competitive agri-food sector for a safe and healthy diet
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
59655 VILLENEUVE D'ASCQ
France
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.