The volume of plant failure rate is still a reality that needs to be addressed for the forestation market. These failures are associated with hydric, nutritional and radicular stress, due to transplantation damages, lack of water retention, inappropriate nutrient reserves or diseases. At the same time, agricultural and forestry production produce tons of waste annually, which can be reversed by having this waste put to a different and useful final destination. Moreover, and paradoxically, worldwide production of plants uses plastics that are often deposited in the soil, polluting the environment and putting ecosystems at risk. The Spawnfoam solution aims at disrupting this reality.
We developed a new biocomposite material based in agroforestry byproducts and an organic adhesive, whose first commercial application are plant pots that are environmentally friendly, easy to use and increase plant survival rates in forestation projects. Developed with an intrinsic circular economy logic (by the principles of circular economy, waste becomes raw material, allowing environmental, social and economic benefits), Spawnfoam plant pots are made of byproducts from agricultural and forest activities, strengthened with an organic adhesive in the exact proportion to improve water and minerals absorption which act as growth additives for the plants.
Spawnfoam plant pots are designed to be directly planted on the ground, ensuring greater water retention and the possibility of incorporating biofertilizers and other structural additives, to ensure good mechanical resistance. This leads to optimal growth conditions, reducing plant shock during the process. Its biodegradability and the possibility of returning to the beginning of the production chain as raw material for a new biocomposite, make this alternative a good solution for the transition to a circular economy, since it allows zero waste in the process. The aim is to reduce the use of plastics in plant production.
With our feasibility study, our objective was to ensure that Spawnfoam’s products were viable. We worked with stakeholders (market analysis) and end-users (technical feasibility) collecting their feedback. We have contacted potential partners and clients and expanded our interviews and focus groups to other EU countries. Furthermore, we have also proceeded with the assessment of our market, business model and risks of project deployment. It was important to plan our work schedule for the next two years of Phase 2 project, as well as our business plan. We have also aimed to define our IPR strategy.
