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Solar Foods sécurise 89,2 millions $ pour sa production de protéines de l'air

La startup finlandaise Solar Foods a levé 77,8 millions d'euros pour développer une usine de protéines à partir de gaz, avec un objectif de production de 3 200 tonnes par an d'ici 2028. La décision d'investissement finale est attendue en 2026, alors que l'entreprise renforce son réseau de partenaires et sécurise des accords clients. Son ingrédient phare, Solein, a déjà reçu des approbations réglementaires dans plusieurs régions, répondant à une demande croissante sur le marché des protéines alternatives.

Vivici obtient 12,5 millions d'euros pour développer ses protéines de fermentation précise

Vivici a sécurisé un financement de 12,5 millions d'euros du programme EIC Accelerator pour étendre l'accès au marché de ses ingrédients protéiques Vivitein™, produits par fermentation précise. Ce soutien financier permettra à l'entreprise de répondre à une demande croissante tout en renforçant son innovation. L'EIC Accelerator, reconnu pour sa sélectivité, valide la technologie de Vivici et son potentiel à contribuer à un système alimentaire plus durable.

Vertoro lève 17 millions d'euros pour sa technologie d'huile renouvelable

Vertoro a annoncé la clôture d'un tour de financement de série B de 17 millions d'euros, destiné à l'échelle de sa technologie innovante qui transforme les déchets végétaux en huile renouvelable. Cette huile flexible est conçue pour alimenter des applications variées, allant des produits chimiques aux carburants maritimes et aériens, tout en visant à réduire les coûts d'exploitation et à renforcer la sécurité énergétique. Avec des partenariats stratégiques, notamment avec Raizén, Vertoro se positionne comme un acteur clé dans la transition vers des solutions énergétiques durables.

European Parliament Adopts GMO Directive for New Genomic Techniques

On June 17, the European Parliament approved the revision of the 2001 GMO directive, allowing the use of new genomic techniques (NGTs) in agriculture. This decision, welcomed by rapporteur Jessica Polfjärd, aims to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of farms. Unlike traditional GMOs, NGTs rely on targeted mutagenesis, introducing traits already present in the species.

Fermotein : Une avancée majeure pour les mycoprotéines en Europe

L'approbation de Fermotein par l'UE marque une étape significative pour les ingrédients à base de mycélium, ouvrant la voie à une production à grande échelle. Avec une capacité de 600 tonnes prévue pour 2027 et des ambitions de croissance, The Protein Brewery se positionne comme un acteur clé dans le secteur des protéines alternatives. Ce développement souligne également la nécessité d'une révision rapide des cadres réglementaires pour soutenir l'innovation alimentaire en Europe.

The Odorous Proteins of Insects: A New Key to Understanding Pesticide Resistance

NGT: European and American Seed Companies Welcome End of Regulatory Uncertainty

The recent adoption of the regulation on new genomic techniques (NGT) by the European Parliament marks the end of nearly a decade of legal uncertainty. Euroseeds and ASTA welcome this advancement, highlighting its potential to enhance the competitiveness and productivity of European agriculture and paving the way for increased collaboration between the EU and the United States.

Nanoparticles to Deliver RNA into Plants: Researchers Explore New Pathways to Protect Crops from Viruses

Gene silencing through double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) opens a new avenue for protecting crops against viruses. However, its field application is limited by a major challenge: effectively delivering these molecules to the cytoplasm of plant cells, where viruses replicate. Researchers are analyzing the potential of nanocarriers capable of stabilizing dsRNA and identifying key parameters to design more efficient delivery systems, a crucial condition for developing RNA-based antiviral solutions in agriculture.

Belgian Company Rainbow Crops Raises €9.7 Million to Accelerate AI-Driven Crop Genetic Engineering

Rainbow Crops, an innovative Belgian agritech company, has announced a funding round of €9.7 million to develop improved crop varieties through multiplex genome editing. This funding will enable the acceleration of AI-assisted genome editing capabilities and the expansion of its Trait Foundry™ platform application.

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The James Hutton Institute partners with PhenomUK, a £35 million project aimed at developing crops resilient to climate challenges. This program, supported by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) and led by BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council), establishes a phenotyping infrastructure to assess crops in various environments. Utilizing advanced technologies, it will enable rapid testing of crop performance under environmental stress.

Biotechnology: Brussels Aims to Ease Transition from Lab to Market

The EU Council has adopted a mandate for amendments to health legislation aimed at modernizing rules regarding genetically modified microorganisms and organ treatment. This initiative is part of the European biotechnology directive, which seeks to enhance Europe's biotechnological potential by facilitating innovation while ensuring safety and transparency standards.

The EU Modernizes Seed Regulations to Enhance Biodiversity and Variety Innovation

The European Council and Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on a major reform of the rules governing the production and marketing of plant reproductive material (PRM). This initiative aims to modernize an outdated legislative framework, enhance biodiversity, and ensure the quality of PRM, while facilitating innovation and reducing bureaucracy for operators.

Bean: Combining Seed Pretreatment and Organic Fertilization Enhances Seed Quality

A study published in Nature by Turkish researchers examines how seed pretreatment and the use of organic fertilizers can improve the germination and emergence of common beans. The results indicate that methods such as hydropriming and vermipriming enhance the physiological quality of seeds, while other treatments, like cow urine, may hinder performance. Although promising, these results need validation under real cultivation conditions to assess their long-term effectiveness.

A Fluorescent Nanosensor Detects Fungal Infections Before Symptoms Appear

Researchers have developed a non-destructive ratiometric optical nanosensor to detect fusaric acid, a key biomarker for fungal infections in crops, before the first visible symptoms appear. Integrated into a microneedle patch applied directly to the plant, this device could pave the way for early and non-destructive disease monitoring in precision agriculture.

A Brazilian Company Unveils a New Generation of Organic Products Based on Microbial Metabolites

At the Bahia Farm Show 2026, Brazilian company Inquima launched EasyTank, an adjuvant designed to optimize the compatibility of pesticide and fertilizer mixtures. This product aims to address common incompatibility issues, such as phase separation and foam formation, while preserving the integrity of active ingredients. Additionally, it showcased advancements in its biological solutions, including third-generation technologies that leverage microbial metabolites, offering improved stability and application flexibility.

In the Netherlands, Biocontrol of Pests Becomes the Norm in Greenhouse Cultivation

According to preliminary data from Statistics Netherlands, biological pest control is now ubiquitous in greenhouse crops, with adoption reaching 94% in 2024. This stable trend compared to 2020 conceals notable increases in the use of certain agents, particularly predatory mites and thrips, which have seen significant growth in usage. Microbiological agents, such as bacteria, are also increasingly integrated into cultivation practices.

Crop Protection: Shifting Towards a Hybrid Model of Chemistry, Biotech, and AI

The crop protection sector is at a critical juncture, facing a crisis in its traditional economic model. The costs and timeframes for bringing new active ingredients to market have significantly increased, making the traditional molecule discovery model less viable. The integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and the development of open innovation ecosystems are becoming essential to navigate this changing landscape.

A French Start-up Focuses on Bio-Inputs to Reduce Phosphate Fertilizer Use

The Reims-based start-up BioFerm’Tech is entering the bio-inputs market by developing bio-stimulant microbes that enhance phosphorus assimilation in plants, providing an alternative to cadmium-laden phosphate fertilizers. One strain has already been successfully tested in a specific terroir. The goal is commercialization by 2028.

Tomato and Rice: A New Genetic Target Enhances Pollen Resilience to Cold Stress

In response to crop losses caused by cold, researchers have discovered cold-sensitive signaling peptides that enhance the resilience of tomato pollen. These advancements could transform how crops adapt to climate stresses, with significant implications for agricultural productivity. By activating specific signaling pathways, yield losses can be reduced by up to 52%, a finding that could also benefit other crops like rice.

A New Dutch Center Merges Agronomic Trials and Data to Design Tomorrow's Varieties

The newly inaugurated Rijk Zwaan Open Field Testing Center in the Netherlands is designed to enhance practical research on field crops. This state-of-the-art facility allows for the evaluation of 20 field crops, including lettuce, brassicas, spinach, and chicories, featuring amenities such as a digital phenotyping lab for precise variety assessment.