November 2024 – A biotechnology startup and a pyrolysis specialist company join forces to transform organic waste into enriched biochar, boosting agricultural productivity and reducing environmental impacts.
SUPERA Innovation and Technology Park in Ribeirão Preto celebrates another milestone in sustainable innovation with the partnership between Ecobiotech, a startup incubated at the park, and Oxyon Pyrolysis Solutions. The collaboration combines expertise in biotechnology and thermochemical processes to offer the market a solution that meets agribusiness needs, fostering more sustainable and economically advantageous agricultural practices.
Ecobiotech focuses on developing biotechnological solutions with low environmental impact and optimized use of natural resources. Its latest project aims to select microorganisms capable of promoting plant growth, combating pathogens, and enhancing nutrient assimilation in soil.
Oxyon, on the other hand, is renowned for its work in pyrolysis technologies, transforming waste into energy and high-value-added products such as biochar. Through this partnership, the companies have developed a solution that immobilizes microorganisms in biochar, resulting in a product designed for bioremediation and improving agricultural soils.
According to Ecobiotech’s Founding Partner Rodrigo Nery and R&D Director Thaís Maester, bioinformatics, microbiology, and processes that transform waste into biological fertilizer carriers will revolutionize soil balancing in agriculture and bioremediation.
Economic, Environmental, and Social Impacts
The innovation proposed by the companies generates benefits in three key areas:
Economic
- Cost reduction for inputs: The solution reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers, one of agribusiness’s major expenses.
- Increased productivity: Studies indicate that enriched biochar use can boost agricultural productivity by up to 14%.
- Carbon credits: The technique allows for extra income through carbon credit trading, enhancing financial feasibility.
Environmental
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions: The pyrolysis process captures carbon, helping mitigate climate change.
- Improved soil health: The solution positively impacts soil’s physical, chemical, and biological attributes, increasing its fertility and long-term resilience.
- Reuse of agricultural waste: Waste generated on farms can be transformed into biochar, reducing disposal volumes.
Social
- Farmer autonomy: Reduced dependence on the fertilizer market increases producers’ independence.
- Incentive for sustainable practices: The partnership promotes adopting cleaner and more efficient technologies.
- Development of new local supply chains: Producing and using immobilized microorganisms in biochar opens opportunities for new businesses.
Transforming the Future of Agribusiness
The partnership also stands out for its potential to provide technical training to farmers, fostering a deeper understanding of soil and encouraging the reuse of organic waste generated on farms. This integrated approach contributes to a more efficient, resilient agribusiness aligned with global sustainability demands.
Moreover, the innovation offers a viable alternative to the current dependency on chemical fertilizers, whose prices have been volatile due to geopolitical and economic factors. The solution developed by Ecobiotech and Oxyon provides a strategic response, reducing costs and mitigating risks for producers.
With the partnership established, the companies plan to expand the solution’s reach to national and international markets. Ecobiotech and Oxyon aim to address specific agricultural sector needs, especially in countries facing sustainability and food security challenges. Combining microbiological expertise and pyrolysis process mastery, they are developing products to enhance agricultural efficiency and strengthen their commitment to sustainability through processing residual biomass.
“Our goal goes beyond transforming how organic waste is managed. We aim to add value to the soil and agricultural production. We are investing in a solution that benefits the environment, the producer, and the entire production chain,” says Thaís Maester.
“By 2027, we aim to offer high-quality, competitively priced products to the agricultural market that add value with environmental attributes, boost productivity, and create a positive impact from the field to the final consumer,” adds Roberval Battaglini, Oxyon’s partner.
SUPERA Park as a Catalyst for Innovation
The collaboration between Ecobiotech and Oxyon is yet another example of SUPERA Park’s role as an innovation and technology hub. The incubator provides strategic support for startups to develop high-impact solutions, connecting them with companies and partners that amplify their ideas.
With projects like this, SUPERA Park reinforces its mission to transform Ribeirão Preto into a center of excellence in innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, positively impacting Brazil and the world.
The partnership between Ecobiotech and Oxyon exemplifies the power of collaborative innovation, pointing to a future where agribusiness can grow sustainably by integrating technology, science, and environmental responsibility.
About SUPERA Park
SUPERA Park is managed by FIPASE and hosts 78 companies, including 49 within SUPERA’s Technology-Based Business Incubator and 29 in the Innovation Condominium. The Technology Park is expanding with urbanization lots for company installations—seven of which are already under occupancy—and the recently inaugurated Container Park, a new business complex with enterprise modules, a café, a training room, and the UP Lab SENAI unit. More information about the park is available at superaparque.com.br.
Press Office
AIs. Comunicação e Estratégia
Ligia Gabrielli
(+55) 41 98700-2363
Dimas Rodrigues
(+55) 41 99159-4452
