Imagine a raincoat for plants made from vegetable waste. It mimics the waxy skin of a lotus leaf to stop fungi from sticking to crops and helps the plant collect dew for water. Instead of using harsh chemicals, it uses natural fatty acids to keep the plants healthy and dry.
Farmers rely on expensive and ecologically damaging chemical fungicides to prevent crop loss, which costs the global economy 210€ billion annually. There is an urgent need for non-toxic, sustainable alternatives that comply with the EU Green Deal.
A bio-derived, sprayable coating made from stearic and palmitic acids. It includes a defined treatment protocol to ensure stability and application on leaf surfaces.
If you are a vineyard operator dealing with fungal infections in European vineyards—where 67% of EU fungicides are used—this project developed a bio-derived spray that reduces disease by ~70% at 14-day intervals. This allows you to lower reliance on copper-based chemicals while maintaining crop health.
If you are a manufacturer dealing with the shift toward the Green Deal and sustainable farming—this project developed a solvent-free, fatty acid-based coating. It outperforms leading biopesticides with an efficacy of ~70% compared to 65-68%.
If you are a producer dealing with Fusarium culmorum and other fungal pathogens—this project developed a multi-functional coating that inhibits fungal development and filters UV radiation. It provides a passive protection layer that reduces the need for frequent chemical spraying.
Based on available project data, specific pricing is not provided, but the project aims to offer economic relief by lowering the costs of managing crop diseases.
The project has optimized both solvent-based and solvent-free spray application methods, achieving 60–90% leaf coverage, which suggests suitability for industrial spraying equipment.
The solvent-free technology has advanced to the stage of patent filing.
SafeWax allows for a 15-day spray interval, providing a viable alternative to traditional fungicides with comparable efficacy.
The project period runs until February 28, 2027, with open-field trials conducted in summer 2025.
The consortium is heavily industry-weighted with 4 industrial partners (67% ratio), including one SME, which indicates a strong focus on commercial viability. The collaboration spans 4 countries (DE, FR, IL, IT) and combines academic research from two universities with industrial application expertise, ensuring the transition from lab formulation to field testing.
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Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for the solvent-free SafeWax patent.
