Bee Ethic Frames 2.0 a disruptive technology in Apiculture

Project Information

BEF 2.0

Grant agreement ID: 835601

DOI

10.3030/835601

Project closed

EC signature date 23 November 2018

Start date 1 December 2018

End date 31 May 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

SKANERGY SRL
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BEF 2.0 (Bee Ethic Frames 2.0 a disruptive technology in Apiculture)

Reporting period: 2018-12-01 to 2019-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Skanergy srl is an Italian small enterprise operating in the area of biotechnologies. Since 2012, it has mostly focused on the development, production and commercialization of the Bee Ethic Frames, a highly innovative technology with the potential to disrupt traditional apiculture. The technology’s purpose is to overcome bee colonies’ infections by parasites, addressing health issues and profitability. The main objective of this innovation is to provide a durable and sustainable solution to the Varroa Destructor, a bees’ mite which – in the past 30 years – has spread all around the world contributing to the well-known Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) which has resulted in a drastic economic and ecological damage to beekeeping and pollination.

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

In spite of the difficulties faced by the sector, our sales increased strongly both in Italy and in selected European countries. Costumer satisfaction, analysed through the administration of a survey, was very positive not only for the eradication of varroa and viruses, but also because the thermic system allows them to exploit the entire production season, without the need to interrupt production in order to use acaricides.
Thanks also to the awareness-raising work we have carried out with relevant public Institutions, such as the Regional Departments and the Italian and Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, to introduce thermal treatment as a biotechnology to be included in the calls for tenders under the National Apicultural Programmes (reg1308 / 2013) , more and more beekeepers, even in seasons when production and turnover are in crisis, are purchasing the bee ethic system, further strengthening our growth, in sharp contrast with the sector's performance.
BEF 2.0 is easier to use and cheaper to produce compared to the previous version. Furthermore, being fully automated and connected to the net, they allow for the collection and analysis of big data as well as real-time monitoring of the environment.
A marketing and business plan have been developed to explore strategies to expand our market and assess structural and financial needs. The company has the potential to sharply increase its revenues and become profitable in the next biennium.

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)

Bee Ethic Frames 2.0 and its potential for the collection of big data and environmental monitoring have been explored and agreements with lead Italian Research Institute (ENEA) established for its future application. This will allow real-time and cost-efficient monitoring of quality of air, water and biodiversity in selected areas. Furthermore, the new frames, being easier to use and more accessible to all types of beekeepers (professionals and amateurs) will allow a wider distribution of the product with tangible socio-economic results for European societies, including the enhancement of bees' colonies health and the expansion of honey production period countering at least partially the negative effects of climate change on this production.