PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Pesticides are substances that prevent, destroy or control a harmful organism (pest) or disease; they include, amongst others, herbicides and biocides. Plant protection products (PPPs) are pesticides that protect crops, and they are primarily used in the agricultural sector, but also in forestry and home-gardening. Herbicides and biocides are also widely used in non-agricultural sectors (e.g., urban and industrial spaces, external surfaces and paving, railways, airports, etc.) to keep them clear of vegetation and other undesirable organisms (such as algae, fungi, rodents, etc.). Today, more than 400 different active pesticide substances are approved in the EU.
However, chemical pesticide use has been associated with significant negative impacts on the environment and human health, which has led to move to progressively replace chemical pesticides with safe alternatives. This objective is supported by the forthcoming Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation, which will be the first EU law to tackle the problem directly, binding all EU Member States and without the need to transpose into national laws.
Several plant extracts with low or null toxicity for humans and the environment are being successfully employed as pesticides. Pelargonic acid is an example and has been identified as an effective ingredient in a new range of herbicides and biocides. In an innovative and sustainable technology, pelargonic acid can be obtained from vegetable sources, without using ozone in the oxidative cleavage reaction of the vegetable oil.
OBJECTIVES
The NATURAL POWER LIFE project aims to extend a new biobased formulation of broad-spectrum herbicides to the European market, and introduce a new formulation of broad-spectrum biocides, both produced from renewable sources.
The project’s specific objectives are to:
Optimise the protocols of the new formulation of the pelargonic acid-based herbicide Sunpower®, assess its efficacy in various non-agricultural facilities, and undertake the registration process of the herbicide in EU countries other than Italy.
Perform market assessments in Italy and other EU countries.
Optimise the protocols of the new formulation of the pelargonic acid-based herbicide Widepower®, assess its efficacy on various crops, and undertake the registration process in EU countries other than Italy.
Perform market assessments in Italy and other EU countries.
Demonstrate the environmental footprint reduction of weed management based on the use of this herbicide.
Assess the pelargonic acid-based biocide formulation Spreadpower® in small scale pilot trials and demonstrate its efficacy.
Ensure the sustainability of the project’s results by running the production of the new herbicides and the biocide on a large scale, and perform pre-marketing activities in Italy and Europe, after assessing the techno-economic feasibility of the products.
RESULTS
The project’s expected results are:
The pelargonic acid-based herbicide (Sunpower®) is fully tested in municipalities, industrial areas, cemeteries, roads, railways and other non-agricultural areas, in at least three EU countries other than Italy (i.e., Spain, Germany and Greece).
The pelargonic acid-based herbicide (Widepower®) is fully tested on at least six crops, such as grape, potato, hazelnut, pome fruit (e.g., apples), tobacco and vegetable crops, in two EU countries other than Italy (i.e., Spain and Greece); and on four crops in Italy, such as hazelnut, pome fruits, tobacco and vegetable crops. The authorisation of the herbicide’s use on these crops will be obtained by the end of the project.
Chemical pesticide use will be reduced by 1.7 tonnes/year (t/y) by the project’s end.
Chemical biocide use will be reduced by 0.9 t/y by the project’s end.
Cost of mechanical weeding will be reduced by 10% by the project’s end.
Reduction of the area of soil contamination: up to 150 hectares by the end of the project for application in agricultural activities; and up to 100 hectares for municipalities and industrial areas treated with herbicide.
