Corteva Agriscience to evaluate use of plastic-free capsules under Eden Research plc agreement

A new agreement between Corteva Agriscience and Eden Research plc will support farmers as they strive to meet consumer demands for more sustainable agriculture. Eden Research plc is an AIM listed company that develops and supplies sustainable solutions for crop protection, animal health and consumer products. 

 

The exclusive evaluation agreement allows NYSE-listed pure-play agriculture company Corteva Agriscience to further evaluate Eden’s Sustaine™ encapsulation technology and several formulations in biological seed treatment applications in certain major territories.

 

Corteva will have until the end of 2020 to exclusively evaluate products which use Sustaine™ in seed treatments, at which time the company may enter into an exclusive distribution agreement for the products in the EU, as well as Russia, Ukraine and Turkey.  This represents the first use of Eden products and technology for the treatment of seeds and is an initial step into this area across a range of functional uses and seed types. 

 

Sustaine™ microcapsules are naturally sourced, plastic-free, biodegradable micro-spheres derived from yeast. The technology has enabled the safe and effective use of Eden’s registered active ingredients and those of third parties by improving bioactivity, controlling volatility and improving crop safety. 

 

Eden Chief Executive Officer Sean Smith said: "The potential use of Eden’s active ingredients and Sustaine™ microcapsules formulation technology in seed treatments has been understood by Eden for some time, but this is the first major opportunity where we have collaborated with a company to fully develop and commercialize a product using Sustaine™ in this application area.

 

“We are very pleased to be collaborating with Corteva which, aside from being one of the largest pure-play agriculture companies in the world, are known for their expertise in seeds and seed treatments. This agreement follows positive initial field trials which Corteva undertook this year and so we are optimistic that this significant opportunity will become a commercial success for both companies."

 

Andre Negreiros, Seed Applied Technologies Leader, Europe, for Corteva Agriscience, said: “We are excited to be working with Eden to offer farmers complete solutions with an environmentally favorable profile. As a company committed to sustainability, we are pleased to be using the Sustaine™ formulation technology to help reduce the use of microplastics in line with consumer expectations.

 

“This collaboration reflects Corteva Agriscience’s approach to open innovation, leveraging collaborations around the world to pursue innovations that enhance growers’ productivity, environmental sustainability, and keep growing what matters – now and for generations to come.”