By integrating biologicals into their designs, the company aims to enhance seed germination and promote healthy plant growth. Carapace, which is housed in Planet B.io’s flex office at Biotech Campus Delft (Netherlands), was founded by Suellen Espíndola, a scientist and Marouschka Blahetek, a business expert.
Tackling issues
The team is determined to tackle critical issues in the agriculture industry. “There are multiple problems with agricultural products, and legislation is catching up,” Suellen said. “We aim to create materials that are fully biodegradable and sustainably sourced, avoiding fossil-based inputs. Microplastics from seed or fertiliser coatings are a significant concern, as is the overuse of chemical fertilisers.” The products that they develop support soil microbiota, essential for soil quality, contributing to sustainable farming practices.
With these products, Carapace is responding to upcoming regulatory changes in the European Union. Starting in 2026, the EU will ban microplastic-generating coatings in fertilisers, followed by seed coatings in 2028. “The industry needs alternatives, and we aim to be part of the solution”, Maroushka stated.
Crucial step
The €200,000 in funding that Carapace received, is a crucial step to further develop their concepts, particularly focusing on microbes for biofertilisation and plant growth promotion. In the short term, they aim to prove their coatings’ viability and expand their team by recruiting interns and making their first junior hire. Within five years, the co-founders plan to achieve full-scale production of biodegradable coatings and prepare for the commercialisation of their biostimulant product line.
For more information, see the websites of Carapace and Planet.B.io
Image: Piyaset/Shutterstock
