Nanopool GmbH honoured with environmental award once again
Hülzweiler/London. With a novel finishing process, the Saarland-based company Nanopool aims to contribute to overcoming the global food crisis. In initial tests, the company’s researchers have now succeeded in accelerating the germination of grain and tomatoes by up to 30% using an ultra-thin protective layer. The non-toxic substance, which is used in ketchup and medicines among other things, keeps mould, bacteria and insects away from the seed and could fundamentally simplify food production in the future. „It is to be expected that our process will make it possible to achieve yield increases and prevent crop losses – and without environmentally harmful substances,“ says Nanopool Managing Director Sascha Schwindt.
Just how effective the technology is has already been demonstrated, among other things, in trials with wood in a termite region in the West Indies and in the fight against downy mildew on grapevines. The pieces of wood treated by Nanopool remained completely unchanged even after seven months, and the treated leaves were practically undamaged (under 1% infestation). The controls told a different story: the untreated wood had been almost completely eaten away, and the vine leaves were heavily infested (up to 100%).
Nanopool is currently working to confirm the initial, very positive results of significantly faster germination together with a renowned German plant research institute and on its own cultivation areas abroad. June has also begun very positively for the company. Last week in London, Nanopool was once again honoured with an internationally recognised environmental award, the „Green Hero Award 2008“. Schwindt: „The award is a confirmation of our work and an obligation to consistently continue along our path, which conserves the environment and resources.“