Invest-NL invests in an alternative to chemical crop protection

Chemical crop protection products are increasingly coming under scrutiny. Stricter regulations, growing resistance and concerns about biodiversity, water quality and residues on food are increasing the need for more sustainable alternatives. For growers, it is important that such solutions are not only effective, but also fit into their existing way of working.

Eindhoven-based VitalFluid is developing an alternative for this purpose. Using water, air and electricity, the company produces a liquid that growers can use to combat fungal diseases without leaving chemical residues. The product is made on-site and can be applied using existing spraying equipment. This means the technology helps reduce the use of chemical crop protection products.

From technology to commercial application

VitalFluid’s solution is now being used commercially by British strawberry growers. The company has turned pilots into multi-year contracts and is applying the technology across more than 100 hectares of strawberry cultivation.

This is an important step. The technology works not only in trials, but also in practice for professional growers. With the new funding, VitalFluid aims to scale up further in the United Kingdom, take the step into the United States and expand the application to other crops, such as apples and grapes. The company is also working towards access to the European market, so that the technology can eventually be used more widely within the European Union.

Biotechnology for a more sustainable food system

Biotechnology can make an important contribution to the future of our food production. By using knowledge from biology, solutions can be developed that make agriculture and food production more sustainable, healthier and more efficient.

VitalFluid demonstrates how this works in practice. The company helps growers organise crop protection differently and become less dependent on chemical products. In doing so, VitalFluid is an example of the opportunities biotechnology offers within agrifood.

This presents important opportunities for the Netherlands: new business activity, a stronger innovation ecosystem and a more sustainable food system. Invest-NL aims to contribute by financing companies such as VitalFluid and helping them to scale up. This investment gives VitalFluid the scope to roll out its technology further and give more growers access to a practical alternative to chemical crop protection.