Consortium
The PhageFire Consortium is formed by a multidisciplinary team which matches the scientific know-how and the technology expertise required for the successful development of the project. Enviroinvest and ZHAW will carry out the in vitro studies for the selection of safe and effective phages and their means of protection to be included in the final PhageFire cocktails. Later, PRS and Enviroinvest will be in charge of the experimental field trials in pome fruit orchards (from Spain and Hungary, respectively) to test safety, efficacy and quality of our biocide following EU Regulation 1107/2019 and according to the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) methodology. These experimental tasks will be also closely supervised by Kimitec, supported by Bioregulatory Services. Later, PhageFire will be scaled-up by Kimitec for their commercialization in European countries in conjunction with Enviroinvest. Furthermore, the current network of clients and contacts of Enviroinvest, Kimitec and PRS within the European agricultural sector, will be of great value for the commercialization. Hence, the Consortium has enough operational capability to carry out the PhageFire project forward. In addition, PhageFire project is also supported by key partners (Pen&Tec), potential customers and relevant organizations of the sector. To successfully bring PhageFire project forward, an in-depth analysis of the Consortium position, potential resources and finances has been performed.
PERAS DE RINCÓN DE SOTO (PRS) – PROJECT COORDINATOR
PRS is one of the main Associations of pear growers in Spain. PRS aims at defending the interests of the pear sector through several actions such as: representing them in front of the relevant authorities, communication and promotion actions, statistical and economic analysis, research and experiments, etc.They represent a group of 21 companies producing and marketing Conference pears in 28 La Rioja municipalities. The group has a planted area of more than 1,157 ha and 312 farmers, producing approximately 25,000 tonnes of pears annually (≈7.6% of national output), mainly of Blanquilla and Conference varieties.
As the Project Coordinator, Communication and Exploitation Manager, PRS will be responsible for successful project delivery within the set timeframe and to budget, and will lead dissemination and promotion of the project and its outcomes, firstly to its affiliates, other EU and global pear growers. Having performed similar tasks in the FP7 project, RE-PEAR (www.repear.eu), upon which this project is based, PRS has the necessary experience and contacts and links, both at EU and global level, to ensure broad dissemination of project outputs.
ENVIROINVEST
Enviroinvest Corp. (Enviroinvest) was established in 2010 as a successor of three predecessor companies (Enviroinvest Ltd., Enviroinvest-Waste Ltd. and Ekofutur Ltd.). It is to be regarded as an SME. It has three business
branches: environmental consultancy, recycling of waste electronic and electric equipment (WEEE), and biotechnology. Enviroinvest Corp. is a family-owned company (with fully transparent owner structure). The top manager is the CEO who is also responsible for the operation of the environmental consultancy business branch. The other two branches are led by two deputy CEOs and a general director is responsible for the administration (including our ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications). From these four top managers three are also owners of the company. Concerning the biotechnology branch, a director with a Ph.D. degree is the head of the biotechnology activities. The senior researchers are the supervisors of the researchers whose work is supported by the laboratory assistants. Also, students preparing MSc degree or Ph.D. degree thesis tend to work in our laboratories. We work with highly educated colleagues in our labs: three have Ph.D. degree, seven MSc degrees, and one BSc degree. We put high emphasis on their further education.
In the Biotechnology division, our main R&D activities include bacteriophage therapy, development and production of nano materials, and other services (metagenome analysis, DNA sequencing, real-time PCR, fermentation, etc.). Enviroinvest’s biological research and development activities started in one of the predecessor companies (Enviroinvest Kft), which launched its bacteriophage therapy researches in a rented building in Szekszard (Hungary). Later, in 2012, Enviroinvest Corp. established its private research institute in Pecs (Hungary) with E.U. and governmental support. This up-to-date equipped building -called Nanophagetherapy Center- is the home of our bacteriophage research activities. Enviroinvest Corp. (and its predecessor, Enviroinvest Ltd) developed Erwiphage between 2006-2012, the World’s first bacteriophage-based biopesticide against the causative agent of fire blight disease (Erwinia amylovora) of apple and pear. The company received the Innovation Award of the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office in 2013. Erwiphage -produced and distributed by Enviroinvest- has been marketed with the special permission of the government in Hungary since 2012. Enviroinvest also developed other biopesticides against Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis (walnut disease) and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causative agent of rice leaf blight. The marketing of these two biopesticides is in progress. We have isolated and characterized bacteriophages against animal and human pathogenic bacteria (Paenibacillus larvae,Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella sp. EHEC, etc.).
Enviroinvest implemented many research projected supported by the Hungarian Government and/or by the E.U. We have taken part in international projects as well, e.g. our latest project (SPRING) has just started with European-Indian joint support in frame of the Horizon2020. We took part also in the Marie-Sklodowska Curie action and other international measures (e.g. Eurostars). The head of the biotechnology branch is core group member of the EuroXanth COST action aimed to integrate knowledge on the plant pathogenic Xanthomonadaceae bacteria and responsible to suggest measures enabling better legal background for biopesticide registration in the E.U. Moreover, our research institute provides DNA sequencing and bioinformatics services for our clients.
Enviroinvest’s activity fits into this project proposal because one of our main research and development and production activities is linked to bacteriophage therapy against plant pathogenic bacteria, especially against Erwinia amylovora -due to our Erwiphage product. The technical and scientific methods planned to be applied in this project are used daily in our lab. Enviroinvest will be one of the major players in this project because it has roles in nearly all tasks and subtasks. It will lead the WP1 (Extension of phage library). The company will provide its previously isolated and characterized phages for further research and it will isolate and characterize novel phages as well. Enviroinvest will contribute to the WP2 to perform UV- and desiccation-protection trials, as well as optimization of plant penetration using its own phages. In the Certification tasks we will work in countries in which we will marketize the product (Hungary, Poland, Romania, Ukraine). We have experiences in these tasks because our Erwiphage product has an exceptional permit in Hungary since 2012. We will perform the field tests with our phages in locations where we will sell the product. Enviroinvest will contribute to the scale up with its own phages. It has experiences on this field because it produces Erwiphage since 2012. Based on Enviroinvest’s experiences concerning the marketing of Erwiphage, it was decided that our company will lead the tasks for dissemination and exploitation. As a participant, Enviroinvest will contribute to the project management based on its experiences with EU and government supported projects.
ZURICH UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCE (ZHAW)
The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) is one of the leading universities of applied sciences in Switzerland. Around 1,500 students are currently enrolled at the School of Life sciences and facility Management, which has more than 600 employees.
We offer five Bachelor’s and three Master’s degree programmes, together with a wide
range of continuing education courses. Teaching, research, continuing education, consulting and other services are both scientifically based and practice-oriented. Our expertise in life sciences and facility management in the areas of the environment, food and health enables us to make a vital contribution to solve social challenges and improving quality of life. Our success is based on five dynamic institutes with extensive competence in research, development and services in the disciplines of chemistry and biotechnology, food and beverage innovation, natural resource sciences, applied simulation and facility management.
The ZHAW – Institute of Food and Beverage Innovation (ILGI), offers application-oriented research, development and services on all aspects of food. The ILGI is divided into three centres with research and specialist groups in various areas of competence. The eight research and specialist groups work closely together on an interdisciplinary basis to competently and efficiently achieve project goals. Dr. Lars Fieseler is the Head of the Center for Food Safety and Quality Management and also the Head of Food Microbiology. To ensure the safety of food, we develop new starter and protective cultures, detect pathogenic bacteria, use bacteriophages, carry out challenging tests, develop self- control and HACCP concepts, offer training in food law and quality management, and much more…
In our research projects, we isolate and characterize new bacteriophages for the control of bacterial contaminants in food. We therefore investigate phage proteins that are important for specific adsorption to the bacteria and identify new phage receptors. In addition, we investigate how lytic enzymes from bacteriophages can be used to control pathogenic germs and biofilms. In addition, we show the efficiency of phage treatments in challenge tests and how to best apply a phage. In this regard, bacteriophages are routinely applied for detection and control of bacterial pathogens. We are focussing on phages infecting members of the Enterobacteriaceae and in addition the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora. In close cooperation with companies, institutions and authorities, our research and development activities are fundamental to strength in innovation to provide delicious, healthy, safe and sustainable food from the raw material to the consumer.
KIMITEC GROUP
Kimitec Group is a Spanish biotechnology-based corporation located in Almería with more than 20 years of experience within the fertilizers industry. Kimitec is a leader company regarding the development, research and production of effective, natural, sustainable and healthy solutions for agribusiness. Kimitec Group apply the biotechnology coming from other sectors such as food and medicine, combining the synergies of different natural raw materials (botany, microalgae, green chemistry and microbiology) to meet or exceed the same efficiency than traditional chemical solutions in the agro-industry, but without their harmful effects to the environment and human health. Current group structure is shown in the following chart:
The different group companies carry out their activities according to different lines of business which are currently faced:
- Agroindustrial Kimitec S.L: This is the origin of our group and currently concentrates all our specialized activity in the field of agricultural nutrition, biostimulants, correctors and soil improvement products.
- Agrocode Bioscience, S.L.: It is the company through which probiotic products and microorganisms are marketed for use in plant nutrition and plant health, as well as biopesticides once the correspondent registrations are obtained.
- Cannabis Biotechnological Development, S.L.: Company dedicated to the commercialization of specific fertilizers and biostimulants for the cultivation of medicinal cannabis.
- Biotechnology Agricó, S.L.: This is the company responsible for the specific market of gardening products. Due to the differentiating characteristics of this target market, we decided to launch our products through an independent channel.
This corporate structure presents enormous advantages for the management of our activity: all the companies research effort is concentrated in Kimitec Biogroup, which feeds them with a highly qualified and specialized human team, and the most avant-garde technical equipment and research facilities. In the meantime, the entire production capacity is focused on Agroindustrial Kimitec, as well as all the orders from each of the different companies, which act as commercial brands, thereby reducing administrative costs and making our commercial management faster, more agile and fluid. Finally, all Kimitec’s group companies are supported by Agroindustrial Kimitec’s Technical Department, Export Department, Marketing Department, Financial Department and Management Department.
The company is located in Almeria, where Kimitec has more than 30,000 hectares of greenhouse production, closed to two of the biggest European ports (Valencia and Algeciras), which allow to export easily. Also, it is needed to be mentioned that more than 130 people work in the company group. The hard work done in the development and commercialization of plant nutrition and crop protection products has led to the current company portfolio with more than 200 products which include: fertilizers and plant nutrition products, specialty fertilizers, organic matter, amino acids and biostimulants and biofertilizers among others. Trough microbiological and botanical solutions for crop protection and plant nutrition we enable growers to effectively replace chemical solutions with microbiological biotechnology and plant extracts, which are safer and healthier alternatives compared to harsh chemical pesticides and fungicides. Thus, our products are also an effective solution for organic crops which have no chemical alternatives.
Kimitec range of products includes biopesticides, bionematicides, biofungicides, biobactericides and several products for microbiological nutrition, including inoculants. Hereby, the three main lines of work are:
1. Research and experimental development in biotechnology.
2. Manufacture, commercialization and distribution of fertilizers, special fertilizers and inputs.
3. National and international consulting, as well as agricultural training and training courses.
Kimitec has an experience of more than 10 years developing solutions to take the seeds to its maximum genetic potential thanks to the use of nutritional elements that seek to increase the quality and production of the crops. Obtaining formulated combinations to accomplish these two objectives are the result of the sum of our two big strengths: wide knowledge in organic chemistry and deep knowledge of crops. Also, the fact of being present in more than 90 countries, has allowed us to know in depth the needs of crops around the world, their metabolic processes and the benefits that each of its elements makes in the plant: from microelements, macroelements to phytohormones and amino acids. Thanks to this know-how, Kimitec has a variey of tools to optimize physiological crop functions that would normally be less efficient. For example, biotransport tools for immobile elements such as calcium; or others which make bioavailable some nutrients that are blocked in the soil due to extreme cold temperatures or pH, thus allowing the crop to be better nourished.
Kimitec Technology is summarized as the conjunction of organic chemistry, microbiology and formulation. Bearing this in mid, the main lines of research at this time cover the following fields: plant nutrition, plant protection and functional nutrition. We already have a working methodology for the design of bioprotectors, through the detection of heats, improve efficiency based on screening techniques, scaling and formulating thanks to the approval and successful completion of a Project (Bloster Project), in the Horizon2020 call in SME II. In the same way, we also have a proven methodology for the design of microbiological consortiums adapted to the crop, or for the design of prebiotic biostimulants to enhance the beneficial microbiology existing in the soil, leading us today to a high specialization in the creation of pro and prebiotic biostimulation in the soil, and indirect control of pathogens. This has also been accomplished thanks to the contribution of approved projects of high biotechnological specialization in different calls such as Micocap, Condemoor or Mic-Mix.
The total amount of Kimitec Group investment in R&D projects exceeds 20 million euros, and international partnerships include partnerships formed by companies and research centers from different countries that are working at different levels into the agricultural field. Also, a reflection of the international presence of the group, relies on the number of commercial partnerships we currently have: we are present in more than 90 countries all over the world. International trade accounts represent approximately 70-80% of the total turnover of the company. Some relevant countries are Brazil, Mexico, USA, Peru, Morocco, Israel, Turkey, Jordan or Kenya, among others.
During the last year, Kimitec has managed to significantly increase its positioning in the countries in which it is present, and the tendency is to continue increasing the international quota and reducing the national quota, although national sales have not decreased in no time. According to the ranking of companies of El Economista newspaper, Kimitec Group is in the position number 8 at national level, in the sectorial ranking of companies dedicated to research and experimental development in biotechnology. The following table shows the most relevant economic data obtained in the last four years:
Biostimulant products are responsible for stimulating plant growth while improving their metabolism and increasing crop quality. With the shortage of land and water, the importance of
supporting advanced tools that can help improve crop harvesting is expanded. In 2016, the global biostimulant market experienced an increase of $ 1,603.9 million and is estimated to grow at an annual compound rate of 11.92%, to reach $ 3,092.8 million by 2022. Biopesticide products (zero waste products) are a very safe future bet, since currently the main international supermarket chains are continuously limiting the residue in the products sold from their servers. Consequently, verify that the market opportunity increases to a value of US $ 9.5 billion by the year 2025, with the value of US $ 3.3 billion in 2017, so that the market forecast can increase significantly with a CAGR of 13.9% during the 2017-2025 forecast period.
Considering all this data and company information, it is easy to see how Kimitec Group is a leader company within its sector and the enormous potential to develop R&D projects regarding new plant protection products due to its experience and previous know-how. Thereby, its participation into the PhageFire project it is essential and will report and added value to the consortium to get to achieve an effective product to fight fire blight disease.