IntraLight™ launches next-gen pesticide, protecting crops without chemicals

IntraLight, a Boulder based startup, has completed development of its light treatment technology that automatically protects crops from pests and pathogens with daily light treatments. Using a proprietary spectrum IntraLights severely damage pest and pathogen DNA, destroying their ability to grow and reproduce. This new crop protection technology replaces chemical pesticides, removing material and labor expenses while allowing growers to capture the increased value of organic produce. IntraLight has opened pre-orders for their first offering, their #5 ring light, capable of treating 64 ft³ above each unit.

Demand for organic produce is growing every year. As organic food purchases in the US pass $60 billion growers will need solutions to convert to organic production easily and effectively. Organic pesticides are often less effective and more costly than traditional chemical pesticides. IntraLight's crop protection system maintains the efficacy of chemical pesticides at a lower cost, while allowing growers to market organic and residue-free produce. Light treatment technology is the only crop protection method able to protect crops for years with a single upfront expense.

"We plan to change the economic viability of organic production. This can have long-lasting impacts on agriculture. With the cost of organic production dropping, growers can reduce their prices while maintaining profit margins," IntraLight's CEO Simon Kepchar said. "This will give growers a leg up on the competition in organic food prices and will push prices closer to the non-organic alternative. This will allow more people access to organic food and force non-organic producers to lower-cost strategies, pushing produce into food deserts."