Ceradis receives US EPA approval for new biofungicide CeraMax, for soy seed treatment
WAGENINGEN, the NETHERLANDS, October 7th, 2019
Ceradis develops and commercializes innovative, environmentally friendly crop protection products and formulations
Ceradis B.V. is pleased to announce Ceradis’ first product registration in the USA, with the EPA granting the registration of CeraMax for seed treatment of soybeans. CeraMax is a biofungicide with efficacy against a broad spectrum of fungal diseases. The first application of CeraMax will be as a seed treatment against the Sudden Death Syndrome, a fusarium disease on soybeans. This solution has proven excellent efficacy, at the same level as the best commercial chemical fungicides, against Sudden Death Syndrome. These findings were confirmed in 3 years of trials, spanning a swath of states in the US Mid-West.
CeraMax contains the active ingredient Natamycin. Natamycin is a biological molecule produced by soil bacteria as a defense mechanism against fungi. Natamycin is an approved food additive, that has been used for decades to preserve for example cheese. Natamycin is not only safe for human food, it is also safe for the crop and non-target organisms. This is due to its unique mode of action. It targets ergosterol, which only fungi possess. CeraMax is therefore a new tool to help farmers in the battle against resistance development.
“Farmers in the USA are under pressure by regulators and consumers to move to biological products, but wish to keep their yield in doing so. Now, with CeraMax, farmers can achieve both. CeraMax is another example of Ceradis’ green innovations – technology to help reduce chemical pesticides. Ceradis is fully committed to making CeraMax a success in the USA with our partners, and to expand CeraMax to more crops, countries, and applications”
Willem-Jan Meulemeesters, Ceradis CEO
About Ceradis:
Ceradis B.V. develops and commercializes innovative, environmentally friendly crop protection products and formulations. A spin-off from Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands), Ceradis has developed and patented (biological) formulation technologies that boost the efficacy of existing chemical Active Ingredients, resulting in a reduced rate of chemicals use per hectare of farmland and lower residues on the crop, making them more environment friendly. Ceradis also develops and patents biofungicides based on natural products, showing comparable efficacy as chemicals and excellent handling characteristics for the farmer. Ceradis aims at facilitating the transition to more environmentally friendly agriculture. Ceradis has four product development platforms and its first products are already being sold in many countries, in partnership with some of the world’s leading crop protection companies. For more information, visit us at www.ceradis.com.
Contact: Willem-Jan Meulemeesters, CEO E-mail: info@ceradis.com
