Weedingtech tem uma alternativa ao glifosato

Although last year saw the glyphosate licence renewed, the debate is still going strong. You only need look at conversation on social media to see evidence of the growing tide of public, environmental and legislative pressure, questioning the safety and suitability of popular herbicide products.

The solution to weed control for many years has been chemical-based, and land owners rely on herbicides like glyphosate. But use of chemicals in the environment is increasingly being restricted due to growing health and environmental concerns. Reports show that they can cause irreversible damage to fragile ecosystems, contaminating waterways and killing valuable nutrients in the soil. Further, the World Health Organisation stated that glyphosate is ‘probably carcinogenic’, raising serious concerns about its impact on health.

Land owners with an eye on the future are moving fast to take steps to restrict use of chemical herbicides. Indeed, last month following the licence renewal, France and Belgium announced they will ban glyphosate as soon as alternatives are found – following bans in the Netherlands, Malta, Argentina, and others.

Many are seeking a risk-free, effective and sustainable alternative – a long-term solution to their needs. In fact, one already exists – Foamstream. This is an environmentally friendly, Soil Association-approved product that has the potential to unseat weed killer giant Monsanto from its position in western agriculture and challenge the status quo.

Developed by Weedingtech, this alternative uses a precise combination of near boiling water and biodegradable foam to kill unwanted weeds. The foam acts as a thermal blanket, stopping the heat being lost and allowing it to penetrate the plant’s waxy outer leaf layer accelerating the transfer of thermal energy into the root structure, causing the plant to die.

Leo de Montaignac, CEO of Weedingtech, says, “Other herbicide-free alternatives had never quite cracked it: the technologies weren’t efficient enough, and didn’t kill weeds effectively enough. But working with industry experts, we arrived at this patented system that uses foam and hot water for the first time. As Foamstream is more efficient and cost effective as a treatment, it finally provides a real solution to a growing demand.”

High-profile investors back the company – Roman Abramovich, Jon Moulton, Ben Goldsmith and Peter Hambro all recognise the company’s disruptive potential.

Organic farms like Yeo Valley, councils such as The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Glastonbury Council, Lewes Council and cities and parks including Central Park in New York, Dulwich Park in London, the City of Munich and the City of Stockholm, among others, have all signed up.

At the end of last year Weedingtech was shortlisted for the Sunday Times FastTrack 100 and Tech Track 100 lists as a disruptor to watch, showing just how far the company has come as a genuinely commercially viable alternative to traditional chemical herbicides.

Foamstream is primarily geared at municipal settings. However, the company is soon to release a smaller, lighter, lower cost system that cuts fuel emissions.

With the number of organisations, cities and countries making the switch, this ‘green industrial revolution’ can only be a good thing for our environment, our health and for those looking for cost-effective, long-term solutions.

Smallholder, 25/02/2018