Exploiting the POWER of NATURE to reduce the impact of hazardous substances on the environment

Introduction

The NATURAL POWER LIFE project aims at sustainably replacing hazardous herbicides and biocides with pelargonic acid-based products produced from renewable sources, thus reducing the impact of synthetic herbicides and biocides on the environment.

Project Objectives

The project will:

1. Extend to the European market two broad-spectrum herbicides based on pelargonic acid:
   • One for non-crop amenities
   • One for agricultural activities
2. Introduce a new formulation of broad-spectrum biocide based on pelargonic acid

All three products are produced from renewable sources, specifically from vegetable oil, following a standardized process that does not use ozone in the oxidative cleavage reaction of the vegetable oil.

Application and Market Expansion

The application of the pelargonic acid-based herbicide for non-crop amenities (municipalities, industrial areas, cemeteries, roads, railways, and other non-cultivated areas) will be extended in at least three EU countries (Spain, Germany, and Greece) other than Italy.

The application of pelargonic acid-based herbicide for agricultural activities will be extended in:

• At least six agricultural activities in at least two EU countries other than Italy (Spain and Greece)
• Four agricultural activities in Italy (hazelnut crop, pome fruit, tobacco, and vegetable crops)

Performance Demonstration

The performance of the pelargonic acid-based biocide will be demonstrated to initiate pre-marketing activities and launch its large-scale production.

Long-term Sustainability Goals

The project has the following long-term sustainability goals:

• To demonstrate the replicability of the product application in different geographical areas and for different applications.
• To assess the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of the products.
• To raise awareness of social and economic opportunities among stakeholders in value chains at all levels (from farmers to municipalities to citizens) and drive the route for the future exploitation of the project results.