AGROSUSTAIN SA

Their core work

AGROSUSTAIN SA is a Swiss biotech SME developing plant-derived biofungicides as direct replacements for synthetic chemical fungicides in post-harvest food treatment. Their core technology extracts natural antifungal compounds from plants and formulates them into commercial plant protection products that extend the shelf life of fresh produce. They target the entire post-harvest value chain — from growers and packers to retailers — with the goal of reducing food waste caused by fungal spoilage of fruits and vegetables. Their work sits at the intersection of food safety, natural chemistry, and sustainable agriculture.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

AGROSUSTAIN began in 2018 with a focused feasibility study (AgroShelf, SME Phase 1) — a lean proof-of-concept for plant-derived biofungicides, with no published keyword footprint beyond the project title. By 2021 they had advanced to a full-scale SME Phase 2 project (AgroStore, EUR 2.5M), and their keyword profile expanded to cover food waste, shelf-life extension, natural fungicides, pest control, and plant protection products — indicating the technology had matured from concept to a market-ready solution in development. The trajectory is linear and deliberate: validate the science, then build the commercial product.

AGROSUSTAIN is on a clear commercialization path — having graduated from a Phase 1 feasibility grant to a EUR 2.5M Phase 2 development award, they are likely approaching product launch or market entry, making them a candidate for industrial scale-up partnerships, distribution deals, or technology licensing arrangements.

How they like to work

AGROSUSTAIN has functioned exclusively as a solo project coordinator, using the SME Instrument — a funding scheme designed for companies developing and commercializing their own proprietary innovations without requiring a consortium. This means they have not built a track record of collaborative partnership within the H2020 system and are not a network hub. For future collaboration, they would likely join as a technology provider or specialist contributor rather than a consortium manager, and potential partners should be prepared for an organization accustomed to working independently.

AGROSUSTAIN has no recorded consortium partners across its two H2020 projects, which is consistent with the solo-company nature of the SME Instrument scheme they used. Their collaboration footprint within the EU research ecosystem is therefore minimal, with no documented cross-border partnerships to date.

What sets them apart

AGROSUSTAIN occupies a rare niche: a Swiss deeptech SME with both scientific credibility (EU-funded R&D) and a commercial mandate, focused on a single high-value problem — replacing chemical fungicides in post-harvest food treatment with plant-based alternatives. Unlike university spinouts, they operate as a product company from the start; unlike large agrochemical firms, they are agile and purpose-built around natural chemistry. For consortia targeting sustainable food systems, food safety, or bio-based product development, they bring proprietary technology and regulatory experience that most academic partners cannot offer.

Highlights from their portfolio

• AgroStore
  AGROSUSTAIN's flagship project — EUR 2.49M SME Phase 2 award — represents one of the larger individual SME Instrument grants and signals that their biofungicide technology passed rigorous EU evaluator scrutiny for commercial viability.
• AgroShelf
  The EUR 50K SME Phase 1 feasibility study that seeded the entire product line, demonstrating a textbook SME Instrument progression from concept to full development funding.