Project description DEENESFRITPL Flexible chemical-free disinfection system for greenhouses Food production will need to increase considerably in the coming years to meet the demands of the rising global population. Greenhouses can be sustainable, reliable, productive and economically convenient units for the production of fresh vegetables and fruits. However, insects, pests and plant-related diseases can damage production and reduce profits. Existing prevention solutions are based on pesticides that are harmful to the plants, human health and the environment. The EU-funded SPARC project proposes a pioneering non-toxic and highly responsive gas-based system to neutralize pathogens. It couples with unique wireless sensors and monitoring platform that detects the system’s effectiveness. This system will reduce loss and increase yields for greenhouse growers. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective The global population recently surpassed 7 billion and is projected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050. As a result, food production will need to increase by 70% to ensure a sufficient supply of food. Hence, growing vegetables, fruits, and other products in greenhouses has become a well-established commercial practice since there are advantages in terms of sustainability, reliability, production rate, money and space for many companies in the agriculture sector. However, greenhouses are also home to many kinds of pests, insects and plant diseases that reduce the quality and yield of crops and result in lower production and reduced profits. Hence, in order to protect plants and attain maximum yield and profits, large amounts of hazardous pesticides must be sprayed on crops in the greenhouse to kill these pathogens and pests, and this not only damages the plants but also has a large carbon footprint. To solve this problem, TechMist developed the SPARC™, a ground-breaking chemical free and 100% environmental neutral disinfection system for removal of pests, insects and plant diseases from greenhouses facilities. SPARC™ is a patented non-toxic and highly reactive gas-based system, which combines 5 particles that are naturally present in the environment and supercharging their ability to neutralize pests. It is completed with wireless sensing devices that are used to continuously monitor the greenhouse environment and track the effectiveness of SPARC™ gas and ensure maximum reliability. By providing a system that completely neutralize the greenhouse environment for pathogens on a maximum of two treatment per year, they expect to reduce the operating costs to growers, offering up to 67% net savings when compared to conventional and chemical-based pesticides. The implementation of the innovation project will place TechMist in a strong position to exploit a market potential over three years exceeding €14 million and creating at least 30 new jobs. Fields of science agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagricultureagronomyplant protectionengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processesdrinking water treatment processesagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturefruit growingagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturevegetable growingnatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyentomology Programme(s) H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs Main Programme H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies Topic(s) EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 - SME instrument Call for proposal H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1 Funding Scheme SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1 Coordinator TECH MIST LTD Net EU contribution € 50 000,00 Address UNIT 6 QUEENS YARD, WHITE POST LANE E9 5EN LONDON United Kingdom See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region London Inner London — East Tower Hamlets Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 71 429,00