Afyren, the French ingredients manufacturer, has developed a new eco-friendly solution to protect tree crops from pests in partnership with biocontrol start-up Cearitis
The company provides bio-based organic acids for cosmetics and fragrance applications as well as the food and pharmaceutical industries, which are designed to be an environmentally friendly replacement for the petroleum-based molecules that are commonly used by industries.
Now, Afyren has partnered with Cearitis on a new system that protects tree orchards from pests such as fruit flies, without damaging the environment or biodiversity.
The insects are said to cause up to US$10bn worth of damage to tree crops worldwide, including those with many cosmetics industry applications such as olives, cherries, red fruits, almonds and citrus fruit.
For the two-part Push&Pull system, Afyren worked with Cearitis to develop a repellent solution which is sprayed over tree orchards and is said to form a natural barrier to prevent fruit flies from damaging crops.
The system also features an outside solution to attract fruit flies and deflect them into a trap, with only the targeted insects captured so as not to impact biodiversity, according to the companies.
Said to be an effective alternative to insecticides, the solution is also non-toxic for workers and tailored to meet farmers’ profitability goals, according to Cearitis’ co-founders, Marion Canale and Solena Canale Parola.
“It combines technological, environmental, and societal performance by allowing orchardists to secure their crops while anticipating the regulatory changes that will probably limit or prohibit the use of chemical plant protection products in the future," said Canale and Parola.
More companies joining forces to protect the environment:
- L’Oréal, Coty and Unilever among 27 companies to join Cosmetics Europe’s landmark eco initiative
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L’Occitane and Kering put spotlight on biodiversity with launch of Climate Fund for Nature
"Cearitis and Afyren jointly contribute to the promotion of products that respect biodiversity and the health of both farmers and consumers,” added Nicolas Sordet, CEO and co-founder of Afyren.
“Our two companies have the same desire to contribute to sustainable economic development that protects natural resources.”
The technology is currently being field tested on olive and cherry trees, with initial results described as “very encouraging”.
The first commercial production is planned for later this year.
