The Sustaine™ biological yeast-based capsules help reduce use of microplastics

A new agreement between Corteva Agriscience and Eden Research plc will support farmers as they strive to meet consumer demands for more sustainable agriculture. Eden Research plc is an AIM listed company that develops and supplies sustainable solutions for crop protection, animal health and consumer products. 

The exclusive evaluation agreement allows NYSE-listed pure-play agriculture company Corteva Agriscience to further evaluate Eden’s Sustaine™ encapsulation technology and several formulations in biological seed treatment applications in certain major territories.

Corteva will have until the end of 2020 to exclusively evaluate products which use Sustaine™ in seed treatments, at which time the company may enter into an exclusive distribution agreement for the products in the EU, as well as Russia, Ukraine and Turkey.  This represents the first use of Eden products and technology for the treatment of seeds and is an initial step into this area across a range of functional uses and seed types. 

Sustaine™ microcapsules are naturally sourced, plastic-free, biodegradable micro-spheres derived from yeast. The technology has enabled the safe and effective use of Eden’s registered active ingredients and those of third parties by improving bioactivity, controlling volatility and improving crop safety. 

Eden Chief Executive Officer Sean Smith said: "The potential use of Eden’s active ingredients and Sustaine™ microcapsules formulation technology in seed treatments has been understood by Eden for some time, but this is the first major opportunity where we have collaborated with a company to fully develop and commercialize a product using Sustaine™ in this application area.

“We are very pleased to be collaborating with Corteva which, aside from being one of the largest pure-play agriculture companies in the world, are known for their expertise in seeds and seed treatments. This agreement follows positive initial field trials which Corteva undertook this year and so we are optimistic that this significant opportunity will become a commercial success for both companies."

Andre Negreiros, Seed Applied Technologies Leader, Europe, for Corteva Agriscience, said: “We are excited to be working with Eden to offer farmers complete solutions with an environmentally favorable profile. As a company committed to sustainability, we are pleased to be using the Sustaine™ formulation technology to help reduce the use of microplastics in line with consumer expectations.

“This collaboration reflects Corteva Agriscience’s approach to open innovation, leveraging collaborations around the world to pursue innovations that enhance growers’ productivity, environmental sustainability, and keep growing what matters – now and for generations to come.”

About Corteva Agriscience
Corteva Agriscience is a publicly traded, global pure-play agriculture company that provides farmers around the world with the most complete portfolio in the industry - including a balanced and diverse mix of seed, crop protection and digital solutions focused on maximizing productivity to enhance yield and profitability. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and an industry-leading product and technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the company is committed to working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. Corteva Agriscience became an independent public company on June 1, 2019, and was previously the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.

Follow Corteva Agriscience on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

About Eden Research plc
Eden Research is an AIM listed company that develops and supplies breakthrough biopesticide products and natural microencapsulation technologies to the global crop protection, animal health and consumer products industries

Eden's Sustaine™ encapsulation technology harnesses the biocidal efficacy of naturally occurring chemicals produced by plants (terpenes) and can be used with both natural and synthetic compounds to enhance their performance and ease-of-use.

Eden is developing these technologies through innovative research and a series of commercial production, marketing and distribution partnerships. The Company has a number of patents and a pipeline of products at differing stages of development targeting specific areas of the global agrochemicals industry. To date, the Company has invested in the region of £14m in developing and protecting its intellectual property and seeking regulatory approval for products that rely upon the Company's technologies. Revenues earned by the Company have been modest whilst the Company has concentrated on securing patent protection for its intellectual property, gaining regulatory approvals, identifying suitable industrial partners, and entering into commercial agreements.

#   #   #

™ ,®, Trademarks and service marks of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies, or their respective owners.  Sustaine™ is a trademark of Eden Research or their respective owners.

Media Contact
József Máté, Corporate Communications Leader, Europe

Tel: +41 22 775 36 70, Mob: +41 79 597 2709

jozsef.mate@corteva.com

Anastasiya Forina, Corporate Communications Consultant

Tel: +380 44 498 9000, Mob: +380 99 080 0216

anastasiya.forina@corteva.com