Better weed control arrives for orchards, vineyards and fruit
Independent trials of our tractor-powered eWeeder in orchards, show that RootWave delivers full control of weeds.
EU to further increase pesticide reduction targets, but it could be the weeds that are in for a shock
The European Union has set a goal to reduce the use and risk of hazardous pesticides by 50% by 2030. However, a leaked draft report from the European Parliament shows that the Member leading the revision of the EU’s pesticide framework is pushing for more ambition, advocating for an 80% reduction in the use of more hazardous plant protection products by 2030. This goal is in line with the demands of the citizens’ initiative, ‘Save bees and farmers’, which called for a general reduction of synthetic plant protection products by 80%.
In recent years farmers have had worries about their ‘toolbox shrinking’, but fortunately, there is a solution that can help farmers meet this target: electric weed control (eWeeding).
eWeeding kills all weeds, delivering full control in independent trials. Moreover, electricity treats deep into the roots, and does not disturb the soil or seed bed, helping to reduce new weed growth, and create healthy soils to capture carbon.
Furthermore, while weeds might develop resistance to chemical herbicides, this is not the case with eWeeding.
This method is not only effective, but also safe for earthworms and other soil macrofauna, and can be used near water courses and in environmentally sensitive areas.
In addition, eWeeding can be lower cost than using chemical herbicides on a per hectare, per season basis.
RootWave will release its first tractor-powered eWeeding machine in 2024 for use in orchards and vineyards, with products for arable row crops expected from 2026.
If the EU are to take bold steps towards protecting ecosystems by increasing their pesticide reduction goals – in the case of weed control at least, farmers may actually be heading for a better future than they imagined.
In numbers – the squeeze on herbicides:
- In the EU, chemical herbicides that account for 82% of the herbicide value in fruit crops are being revoked or are at significant risk of being revoked. (33% for cereal crops, 87% for broad-acre row-crops, 94% for vegetables, and 98% in municipalities).
- There is herbicide resistance with 68% of the current modes of action. No new herbicide mode of action has been discovered in the past 20 years.
- In fruit crops, glyphosate accounts for 76% of the herbicides used. 88% of academic studies since 2016 conclude glyphosate is carcinogenic. In the EU, its license was extended by one year until end-2023 whilst the authorities reassess its safety. Glyphosate was recently withdrawn for US Consumers due to safety concerns and litigation costs. There are currently 533 legal cases against herbicide manufacturers relating to safety.
- EU Green Deal looking to halve the use of pesticides, including herbicides, by 2030 and COP15 committed to halving the risk from pesticides by 2030.
- There is a 11% CAGR in organic retail sales and 8% in organic farmland with EU committed to increasing organic farmland to 25% by 2030.
RootWave officially a good place to work
Best Companies has rated RootWave as the 13th best company to work for in UK construction and engineering.
The Warwickshire-based electrical weed control pioneers released their award-winning hand-weeder RootWave Pro in 2017. Following a period of growth, tractor-mounted systems for chemical-free weed control in fruit and row crops produced excellent results in independent trials this summer.
RootWave has a diverse and growing team. It has also improved its rating with Best Companies this year – moving into the top 100 companies to work for in the West Midlands.
Laura Wrench, Head of People said:
“We are building a team that has the tenacity to solve global challenges. We have an incredibly talented and diverse workforce that is passionate about what we do and what we deliver.
“We believe that we can change the world, and to do that we will need to create an environment and culture that inspires. That is why we benchmark ourselves with Best Companies each year and strive to improve our ranking.”
Best Companies is an independent employee engagement accreditation service that uses an annual staff survey to provide an employee led ranking for UK businesses. In 2022, they found that a majority of RootWave team members felt cared for, that they had the chance to grow and enjoyed their job – contributing to an overall rating of “Good to work for” and “One to watch”.
RootWave is continuing to grow its team, see the latest vacancies here, or visit our LinkedIn Life page to learn more.
RootWave completes EUR 6.5 m Series A financing
Kineton (UK), 20 January 2020, 6:00 AM GMT
- RootWave is developing and marketing solutions to kill weeds using electricity to offer a scalable and sustainable alternative to chemical herbicides.
- Funding will be used to expand sales of RootWave Pro, a professional hand-weeder for spot weeding and treating invasive species, and integrate its technology into automated agricultural weeders.
- The financing is provided by a strong international investor syndicate led by V-Bio Ventures and Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund and joined by Pymwymic and existing shareholders.
RootWave, a pioneer in electrical weed killing solutions, today secured ca. EUR 6.5m in a Series A investment round led by Willem Broekaert of V-Bio Ventures (Belgium) and Richard O’Gorman and Tom Ritchie of Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund (Netherlands), and joined by impact fund Pymwymic (Netherlands) and existing shareholders including Yield Lab Ireland.
The proceeds will enable RootWave to expand commercialisation of its RootWave Pro, a professional hand-weeder for spot weeding and treating invasive species, integrate its technology into automated agricultural weeders, and conduct further research into novel electricity-based weed killing applications.
RootWave’s technology uses electricity to kill weeds from the roots upwards. The $30bn herbicides industry is under pressure due to herbicide-resistant weeds and increasing regulation and litigation. RootWave’s technology is the leading solution for herbicide-free and effective weed control, contributing to more sustainable agriculture, a cleaner environment and a healthier food chain. The company is currently selling its RootWave Pro throughout Europe and is partnering with ag-machinery companies including Steketee/Lemken, SFM Technology and Small Robot Company.
In connection with the financing, representatives of V-Bio Ventures, Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund, and Pymwymic will join the board of directors.
Andrew Diprose, CEO of RootWave, comments: ‘This fundraising reinforces the potential of RootWave’s technology and will allow the company to grow its revenues and commercialise its next generation products. We are grateful for the support from our employees, existing board and shareholders and look forward to welcoming the new investor syndicate to our board. Together we will deliver innovative solutions that the market is urgently demanding.’
Willem Broekaert, Managing Partner from V-Bio Ventures, adds: ‘We have been impressed by the determination and vision of RootWave’s management team, and by the deep innovation pipeline of the company. We strongly believe in the transformation RootWave can bring about in the weed control market, and are excited to be part of this journey.’
Richard O’Gorman, Director of Rabobank’s Food & Agri Innovation Fund, comments: ‘We at Rabobank recognize the need for greater sustainable food production and technologies that not only support increase yields, but also safeguard the environment for future generations. We are very proud to invest in RootWave and our partnership is testament to our mission to support truly innovative emerging technologies that can make a true difference in how we produce food in a future-proof manner.’
Pieter Vis, Investment Manager of Pymwymic, says: ‘We are proud to join RootWave on their mission to develop and commercialise electrical vegetation control technologies and products that improve communities and the environment by offering a scalable and sustainable alternative to chemical herbicides’.
About RootWave
RootWave (www.rootwave.com) uses electricity to kill weeds as a sustainable and scalable alternative to herbicides. The technology is organic, sustainable, no-till and cost-effective. RootWave was launched in 2012 and is currently selling an award-winning professional hand weeder designed for growers, gardeners and groundskeepers to spot weed and treat invasive species; it is used across the world by contractors, municipalities, heritage sites, estates, football clubs, and farmers. RootWave has won numerous EU and UK grants to adopt its technology for agriculture and is working with several ag-machinery companies to develop automated solutions for specialty and broadacre crops. RootWave zaps weeds with zero chemicals and is improving the environment by offering a sustainable alternative to herbicides.
About V-Bio Ventures
V-Bio Ventures (www.v-bio.ventures) is an independent venture capital firm specialized in building and financing young, innovative life science companies. V-Bio Ventures was established in 2015 and works closely with Belgium-based VIB, one of the world’s premier life science institutes. The fund invests throughout Europe in start-up and early-stage companies with high growth potential focusing on technologies that provide transformational improvements in the biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and agricultural sectors.
About Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund
Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund “RFAIF” (www.rfaif.com) is a captive venture capital fund of Rabobank, a global leader in providing international finance to the food and agriculture (F&A) sector. RFAIF leverages Rabobank’s extensive global network and sector knowledge to support the growth and success of start-up companies leading innovation across the food and agri supply chain.
About Pymwymic
Pymwymic (www.pymwymic.com) is an investment cooperative of private investors who invest in impact driven enterprises through Sustainable Development Goal themed sub-funds, leveraging a peer-to-peer network and exchange of knowledge and expertise. The Pymwymic Healthy Ecosystems Impact Fund invests in early to growth stage companies that have measurable impact and seek to conserve and restore our ecosystems while generating an attractive financial return.
RootWave named as one of the UK’s most disruptive companies
RootWave is delighted to have been named as one of the top 50 most disruptive companies in the UK in the 2019 Disruption Index which highlights and celebrates those businesses innovating and leading the way in our rapidly changing world.
RootWave finalist in Future Food Awards
RootWave is delighted to have been selected as a finalist for the Future Food Awards in the Food Tech Innovation category. The Future Food Awards were launched to uncover the most exciting innovations in food and drink today. A team sifted through hundreds of entries to land on just a few businesses that offer a taste of what’s to come.
RootWave wins Innovate UK Grant
RootWave wins a £417k UK Government Innovate UK grant to create the next generation of professional hand-weeder.
RootWave wins Innovate UK Grant
RootWave wins a £986k UK Government Innovate UK grant to scale its technology across different crop types and weeding platforms.
Financial Times discusses a future without chemicals with RootWave
There is growing evidence that the use of chemicals in agriculture is harmful to both the environment and human health. Maija Palmer discusses potential alternatives in a podcast with Helen Browning, chief executive of the Soil Association, Adam Speed of the Crop Protection Association and Andrew Diprose, chief exec of Rootwave, a startup that uses electricity to kill weeds.