Certis Belchim and Elicit Plant have announced a strategic partnership to co‑develop a new potato‑specific biostimulant, designed to help growers tackle the mounting impacts of climate change across Europe. The collaboration brings together Certis Belchim’s market‑leading potato portfolio with Elicit Plant’s advanced R&D capabilities, including its patented phytosterol‑based EliTerra® technology.
The companies say the tie‑up will support farmers in maintaining yield, quality and profitability, even as climate variability and water scarcity pose growing threats to production.
Co‑developed bio‑solution built for grower adoption
The agreement centres on developing a potato‑targeted formulation paired with an application method that integrates smoothly into existing spraying programmes; a critical factor for adoption in a sector where seasonal timings and operational workflows leave little room for disruption.
The partners expect the co‑development model to accelerate time‑to‑market, ensuring growers gain access to a solution that balances:
- Environmental sustainability
- Crop resilience
- Economic viability
The first phase of the partnership has already delivered results: Elicit Plant’s EliTerra® platform produced several promising product candidates based on phytosterols, plant‑derived bioactive compounds that have shown the potential to bolster resilience, productivity and quality in potatoes under climate stress.
The next stage will see the companies launch expanded field trials across diverse soils and environments to further refine the product and validate performance.
A science‑backed blueprint for future‑ready potato production
Both companies describe the partnership as a crucial step toward more sustainable, high‑performing agricultural systems. With climate change altering rainfall patterns and intensifying heat stress, potato growers across Europe are urgently seeking tools that strengthen resilience while supporting resource‑efficient farming.
“Innovation will play a critical role in helping potato growers address the agronomic challenges posed by climate change and drive more sustainable potato production,” said Mark Waltham, CEO of Certis Belchim. “Co‑developing a biostimulant specifically designed for potatoes reinforces our commitment to delivering cutting‑edge solutions across our seed‑to‑store potato health portfolio.”
“Developing crop‑specific bio‑solutions is central to our strategy,” added Jean‑François Déchant, CEO of Elicit Plant. “Partnering with Certis Belchim allows us to combine our phytosterol‑based scientific expertise with the insights of one of Europe’s most influential potato specialists.”
