AgroSpheres Seeks EPA Approval For Inert Ingredient

Application signals major step toward commercialization of eco-friendly platform of crop health products.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — June 29, 2021 – AgroSpheres, Inc. today announced progress toward a key milestone in reducing pesticide impact in the environment. The submission of AgroSpheres™ Inert ingredient to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in agriculture inputs will further the company’s objective to make biopesticides more effective and reduce the rates of synthetic pesticide application. When approved, this technology will power a suite of environmentally-friendly crop health products for organic and conventional farming.

“The EPA submission marks our first major milestone towards the commercial establishment of our biorational portfolio which will bring sustainable products to our farmers and sustainable returns to our shareholders,” said Payam Pourtaheri, AgroSpheres’ CoFounder and CEO.

AgroSpheres™ Inert is a non-GM, fermentation-derived technology that will enhance biorational products. By replacing conventional inert ingredients like solvents and microplastics, this new technology will create an effective, biobased and biodegradable product line for growers.

“With this initial EPA submission, we are on track to deliver the first organic, inert technology that can transform the performance of both biological and synthetic pesticides,” said AgroSpheres’ CoFounder and CTO Ameer Shakeel. “Growers and investors can be confident we’re producing this ingredient in a controlled, zero-waste and proprietary bioprocess.”

“The AgroSpheres inert technology is both simple and elegant”, said Jerry Hjelle, Ph.D., AgroSpheres Scientific Advisor. “It is produced from a well-understood microbe with an established safety history. It enables a sustained release of organic, biological and conventional pesticides, creating the opportunity to reduce global pesticide use. The non-viable inert ingredient degrades in soil just like any other soil microorganism. This innovative approach to protecting organic and conventional foods and feeds has great potential.”

AgroSpheres developed the Inert technology to power eco-friendly ag product performance and significantly reduce chemical usage. The company is engaging leading global commercial partners that will enable broad access to reliable and novel biorational products. AgroSpheres™ Inert technology will empower crop health products that move us closer to realizing the company’s vision of a future built by nature’s technologies.