Tag Archive for: eWeeding

RootWave raises $15m to replace chemical herbicides

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RootWave, the UK-based pioneer in electrical weed control, has successfully raised $15 million to scale its sustainable, chemical-free solution for eliminating weeds – including herbicide-resistant varieties – using electricity.

The round was led by Clay Capital, a specialist food and agriculture venture fund, with participation from Agri Investment Fund – the investment arm of the Belgian collective Boerenbond Group – as well as vineyard-focused Xinomavro Ventures, Naruhisa Nakagawa, founder and CIO of Caygan Capital, Jorge Heraud, former CEO and Co-founder of Blue River Technology (acquired by John Deere), and returning investors V-Bio Ventures, Rabo Ventures and PYMWYMIC. The round includes $3 million in debt facilities provided by Innovate UK as part of the UK’s Future Economy initiative.

At a time when agrifoodtech investment has fallen to its lowest levels in five years, RootWave’s success underscores the urgent demand for sustainable agriculture solutions.

The $40+ billion herbicide industry is facing unprecedented challenges from herbicide-resistant weeds and tightening regulation due to safety concerns. While alternative solutions such as mechanical, laser, and thermal weeding have emerged, RootWave stands out for its unmatched combination of efficacy, cost competitiveness, and safety.  Its market leading technology eliminates weeds without damaging soils or crops, with field performance rivalling that of chemical herbicides.

RootWave manufactures tractor-mounted implements using its patented high-frequency electricity that delivers exceptional performance, achieving up to 99% kill rates in a single pass during independent field trials. Compatible with conventional, regenerative and organic farming systems, the technology helps farmers protect yields and profits while safeguarding human health and the environment.

RootWave has commercial sales in the UK and has also secured international manufacturing and distribution agreements, including a partnership with leading mechanical weeding company, Garford Farm Machinery. The company is actively conducting trials with several other agrimachinery manufacturers to expand distribution across Europe, with plans to enter the US market thereafter.  RootWave’s electrical weeding technology is suitable for a wide range of crops from tree, bush and vine crops, to row crops including vegetables, broad-acre, and cereals.

With this new funding, RootWave is set to accelerate both regional and international rollout, drive forward its mission to replace chemical herbicides use worldwide, and become the new standard for sustainable weed control.

Andrew Diprose, CEO of RootWave, commented: “This fundraising allows RootWave to accelerate its growth.  We are grateful for the support from our customers, partners, and employees, and look forward to working with the new investors. Together, we will grow RootWave to become the dominant global player in weed control.’

“Decades of chemical herbicides overuse have made resistant weeds one of agriculture’s toughest challenges. We chose to back RootWave because it offers farmers an affordable, effective, and safe alternative to chemical herbicides,” shared Darren Leong, Principal at Clay Capital. “Having known Andrew and the team for over seven years, we have seen their technology evolve from concept to commercial launch, partnering with some of the world’s leading agriculture machinery companies. RootWave is now well-positioned to become the solution of choice for farmers seeking a safer and more effective option”.

Patrik Haesen, CEO of Agri Investment Fund, comments: “Weed control being an increasing challenge for farmers, we are excited to support RootWave bringing its technology to market. Providing a non-chemical and sustainable solution that destroys weeds down to the roots is a true gamechanger for agriculture.”

RootWave and Garford collaborate to develop eWeeding technology

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The UK manufacturer of technologically advanced mechanical weed control products, Garford Farm Machinery, and Warwickshire based electrical weed control manufacturer RootWave, have today (11.06.2024) announced a new agreement that will bring next generation weeding technology to UK and international markets. The new agreement will see the two manufacturers co-develop new weeding technology and products, integrating electrical weeding into precision guided toolbar systems, for high-value and high-intensive crops as well as broadacre arable applications.

The RootWave system uses electricity to boil weeds and their roots. This makes electrical weeding highly effective and, because it is non-chemical and does not disturb the soil, it is compatible with both organic and regenerative farming systems. RootWave’s patented high-frequency alternating-current is orders of magnitude safer than direct-current, typically used in electrical weed control.

With over 20 years of hoeing experience, and having brought many innovations to market, from the Robocrop Vision Guidance System to the compact hydraulic side shift mechanism, Garford is recognised as the industry leader in precision mechanical weed control. The Robocrop Guidance System allows for accurate and efficient hoeing for both in row and inter-row weed management and prevention control. The system uses video cameras and image analysis computers to locate crop position and then guides the hoes quickly and accurately.

The new eWeeding technology is set to provide a cost-effective and high-performance solution, creating financial and environmental benefits, while supporting better quality crops that are not competing against weeds. Garford has calculated that by using the eWeeding technology, across a variety of different systems, estimated costs would come in between £55 to £120 per hectare, significantly lower than chemical herbicide costs.

RootWave CEO Andrew Diprose said, “Combining forces with Garford allows us to create a formidable solution for the industry, combining best-in-class power electronics, imaging and artificial intelligence to create an unrivalled weed control solution for vegetables, cereals and row-crops.

“It will alleviate the worries of farmers who are faced with an uncertain future where they don’t know if herbicides will be available, or will even be effective due to safety and resistance issues.”

Garford Managing Director Jonathan Henry said, “We are incredibly excited to pair Garford’s vast experience in precision guided hoes, with RootWave’s world leading expertise in power electronics.

“With the increasingly stringent controls over the use of chemical weed management, alongside resistance issues, we can support UK and global agriculture as it embraces its environmental responsibilities.

“Combining our technologically advanced precision guided weed control solutions, with the benefits of RootWave’s high frequency alternating current electrical weeding technology, we can create commercially viable and effective solutions to growers, as a key part of a sustainable, integrated weed management system.”