" Weekly , we produce more predatory mites here than there are stars in our galaxy . " That was what Jan Schoovaerts , Business Development Director IPM & Pollination at Biobest , said yesterday at the opening of the Modern predatory tinge product installation in Westerlo , Belgium , take care by , among others , Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval and Minister of Agriculture Jo Brouns . On this occasion , the caller unveiled the new group name BioFirst and announced challenging growth objective . At the same time , attention was also drawn to the challenges facing the European agricultural and horticultural sphere .
InvestmentsFrom the canteen of the new predatory mite quickness , you could still see small greenhouses similar to those that were previously located at this web site , but inside the production installation , you have more of a impression of being in a futuristic testing ground . Except for yesterday , because everything was festively deck for the possibility of the unexampled deftness . employee and Guest could see how the 4,000 square time hall is being furnished with recycled materials and stylish design to provide a clean , efficient , and pleasant working surround for approximately 50 employee . In the climate cell , which are supply with fossil - free energy , predatory mites such as Amblyseius swirskii will now be produced , used in crops worldwide as a predator of larvae and testis of whitefly and thrips , and one of Biobest ’s fundamental products .
The investment funds amounts to 12 million euros . A huge sum of money , but not the only investment funds Biobest has made in recent geezerhood . The companionship is growing to half a billion in employee turnover , partly due to the acquisition of the Brazilian society Biotrop . " Our journey is characterized by growth and accelerated growth . We have never experienced a year in which our turnover declined , " CEO Jean - Marc Vandoorne say . And that growth is not yet over . The caller has set itself an ambitious finish : in ten years , it wants to be among the top 10 craw protection companies in the earthly concern , a listing currently dominated by chemical substance company . To achieve this , the company has adjusted its organisational structure consequently , and the bear party will now maneuver under the name BioFirst , while Biobest , BioTrop , BioWorks , and PlantProducts will stay as brand names .
CEO Jean - Marc Vandoorne unveil the new group name BioFirst
speedy expansionBiobest , or BioFirst from now on , has a comparatively short but telling history . The company was founded in 1987 as a producer of bumblebees and thrive its range over the years with biological harvest protection agents . After being acquire by Belgian investor in 2006 , it skyrocket even further after an extra investment round of golf in 2018 , with several acquisitions and further investments involving external players such as Arugga , Ecoation , and the aforementioned marque . Last year , an additional 98.5 million euros in growth capital was raised .
The fact that Biobest ’s growth mainly occurs outside Europe can be seen in the act : 10 years ago , 80 percent of turnover was generated in Europe , but now it ’s only 20 percentage . " We have solutions to many problems that growers front usable , and they are already being used in many countries , " said Jean - Marc , referring to the rapid growing of the Brazilian company Biotrop , which was founded just six class ago and now has a turnover of 120 million euros , partially due to change Brazilian laws . " Then the market for biological harvest protection grew by 40 % per class . "
In Europe , the ontogeny is much tiresome , part due to European legislation . " In Brazil , a biological control agent can be approved within a year , here it take at least ten years , " outlined Gaetan Wacquez of Floridienne , the holding and investment company of which BioFirst is a part . " Biological crop security is part of the future . Countries like Brazil and the US have respond to this . get ’s hope the same happens here . "
David Clarinval
Biopesticides approvalDeputy Prime Minister David Clarinval also mull on this . " Our farmers and growers need effective crop security agents to assure a unchanging food supply and improve their incomes . Biopesticides are part of this resolution , and innovative companies like Biobest contribute to it . " He mentioned that there are currently more than 150 products approved in Belgium , compared to only 2 in 2007 . " For the federal politics , accelerating the approval of biopesticides is a precedency . "
He explain that this does n’t happen quick because these product are also extensively test . Moreover , there are still challenges at the European level . Last year , the Sustainable Use Regulation , aim at halving the usance of pesticide by 2030 , was voted down in the European Parliament , after which the SUR was entirely draw off this yr . " As a result , there has been no advance so far in the carrying out of biological crop defender . " Nevertheless , he emphasize that the Belgian mission continues to work on this . " I am positive that our work will lay the foundation for the next Commission . " A first step in this will be next week , when he , as chairman of the European AgriFish Council , will introduce his European confrere to Biobest ’s solutions . " I am sure they will be just as impressed as I am . "
Whether they will receive as telling a tour as the guests did yesterday , however , remains dubious . Touring Biobest is unequaled because the yield of biologic controllers is a precise and highly uninfected job , so the doors are usually closed . Only on the occasion of the porta were the clime chambers shown where the mite production will take piazza . Over the come months , the hall will be further filled with these mood chamber and various secret and patented breeding methods , and then the door will be locked , and only employees will be able to inscribe the blank after exhaustive cleaning .
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© FloralDaily.com/Arlette Sijmonsma
