Robust technology combining both air filtration and purification with zero chemicals used and zero residues produced

Project Information

JONIXAirPlasma

Grant agreement ID: 875964

DOI

10.3030/875964

Project closed

EC signature date 5 July 2019

Start date 1 August 2019

End date 30 November 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

JONIX SRL
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - JONIXAirPlasma (Robust technology combining both air filtration and purification with zero chemicals used and zero residues produced)

Reporting period: 2019-08-01 to 2019-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Indoor farming using aeroponics or hydroponic techniques represents a solution to satisfy the growing nutritional needs of the global population: it provides high crop yields, year-round production in any climate and more efficient use of water. However, most greenhouses are low-tech and use fragmented, inefficient solutions to control the growing conditions. Also, no product is available to purify water and improve its reuse and fertilization potential. To solve these issues, JONIX has developed J-PLASMA: an apparatus to treat air and water in greenhouses using Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) technology. The system includes an air treatment unit to sanitize air; a water treatment unit to produce plasma activated water (PAW) and treat wastewater; and a cloud-based control module. The air and water treatment based on NTP is the core innovation of J-PLASMA: PAW is known to increase plants’ biomass and to reduce maturation times and infections; this, together with the air purification, increases productivity, reduces the use of fertilisers, and eliminates the need of pesticides. As a result, J-PLASMA allows farmers to increase the productivity and efficiency of their greenhouses in a sustainable and affordable way, as the system will be offered through an operational lease. The objectives of our project are: to optimize and validate J-PLASMA in real working conditions, to obtain the required certifications, and to expand our commercial presence worldwide. The FS shows the benefits of our innovation for all users and stakeholders involved and confirms its technical feasibility and profitability.

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

During the project we analysed the following aspects:
1. Technical Feasibility: technology description (JONIX’s innovation); state of the art (current solutions and technologies); Technology Readiness Level of J-PLASMA; product performance (current and target specifications); work plan for the Accelerator phase; risk analysis; industrialization and scale up.
2.1 Market Analysis: target users; market overview, dimensions, and segmentation; market drivers and barriers; competitors.
2.2 Business Model: business model (revenue streams, costs analysis and price policy); penetration strategy; sales channels.
2.3 Marketing & Communication Strategy: marketing, dissemination and communication activities.
2.4 Exploitation Strategy: exploitation activities to raise awareness on J-PLASMA and protect JONIX’s IP.
2.5 IPR Strategy: current IPR asset; freedom to operate; strategy for future protection; regulations and standards.
3. Financial Feasibility: business projections; broader impact.

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)

J-PLASMA will allow farmers to increase the yield and quality of their crops while reducing crop infections, fertilisers and pesticides use, and water waste. This will increase the profit for farmers; in addition, the high efficiency and reliability of our system will ensure high fruit and vegetables production all year-round, independently of weather conditions, which will be essential in the coming years to provide enough food for the growing population.

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