Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MYRES (Innovative biotechnology using mycorrhizal fungi to restore and remediate damaged soils)
Reporting period: 2018-09-01 to 2019-02-28
The addressed problem. During the last decades the degradation of land has accelerated due to human activities like mining, smelting, manufacturing, treatment of agricultural soils with agro-chemicals and soil sludge, etc. Importance for society. The exposure to contaminants represents a severe threat for human and animal health and welfare. Soil remediation is therefore essential not only to create a healthy environment but also to increase the food demand of the ever-increasing human population. The European Commission (EC) has adopted different policy initiatives to address the problem of soil pollution and sealing in a sustainable way. Objective. MYRES provides an innovative bioremediation technology based on the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to treat contaminated and damaged soils. The main objective is to use our biotechnology to restore damaged and over-exploited agricultural soils, as well as former industrial sites, old mining sites, brownfields and dune restoration. Its characteristics include that it is a 100 % natural, non-GMO, and environmentally friendly technique, compatible with other remediation techniques.
Work performed. To execute MYRES, we have established a dedicated task force formed by the CEO and senior managers. The developed tasks include: 1. Identification of legislations, IPR, and standard requirements for soil remediation; 2. Definition of main stakeholders (potential customers, commercial and scientific allies and competitors); 3. Define economic feasibility; 4. Define technical feasibility; and 5. definition of business plan and time-to-market estimations.
Next steps. INOQ has the necessary know-how about the use of AMF on commercial applications. However, it is necessary to develop further trials to develop further the technology on field conditions, define remediation time cycles and the necessary resources to complete the remediation and/or restoration projects. We are currently running trial fields in different international research and development projects and small trials with commercial partners. We will also continue our prospection and contact partners for possible further trials and potential business; attend to specialized expos and trade shows; establish contact with key people from the remediation industry to get as much feedback as possible; and search for funding for the next phase of the project through SME Instrument Phase 2; EU´s FTI, as well as private funding.