Certis Belchim, a leading innovator in crop protection, and Elicit Plant, a trailblazing agri-biotech company, have announced a strategic partnership to co-develop a cutting-edge bio-solution for potatoes aimed at tackling the mounting challenges of climate change across Europe.
The alliance merges Elicit Plant’s advanced R&D capabilities with Certis Belchim’s stronghold in innovative crop solutions and recognized leadership in European potato farming. The goal: help farmers protect yields and quality even under increasingly unpredictable climatic conditions.
The partnership specifically targets improving potato tolerance to abiotic stress, particularly drought, a growing threat to European growers facing water scarcity. The co-development agreement promises a potato-specific formulation paired with an application method compatible with standard spraying programs, designed to maximize both yield and crop quality.
In its first milestone, Elicit Plant’s EliTerra Platform produced several product candidates based on its proprietary phytosterol technology. These bioactive compounds have demonstrated potential to enhance potato crop resilience, productivity, and quality under climate stress.
Both companies will now expand field trials to test performance across diverse soils and climates, aiming to deliver a scientifically grounded, farmer-ready solution that supports sustainable and resilient potato production.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting modern, high‑performing, and environmentally responsible agriculture. The co‑development of a biostimulant specifically designed for potatoes underscores our determination to deliver cutting‑edge innovation for this key crop and to strengthen our leading, seed‑to‑store potato plant‑health portfolio,” said Mark Waltham, CEO of Certis Belchim.
“Developing crop-specific bio-solutions is central to Elicit Plant’s strategy, and partnering with Certis Belchim, a leader in the European potato market, reflects our new approach to expanding our product portfolio by co-developing innovative solutions for new crops with leading crop experts, combining our phytosterol-based scientific expertise to strengthen agricultural resilience in the face of climate challenges,” said Jean-François Déchant, CEO of Elicit Plant.
The collaboration signals a shared ambition to drive more resilient, high-performing, and sustainable agriculture, providing tangible value to growers while addressing environmental and water-related challenges.
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