What do crab shells have to do with agriculture? NURICOS, based in Münster, is developing plant fortifiers based on chitosan derived from crab shells. The start-up is still in its early stages and aims to make plants more resilient to certain stresses. This is based on many years of research at the University of Münster and an approach that translates scientific findings into marketable applications.
For over ten years, Anne, Philipp and Caro have been conducting research into so-called plant-strengthening biostimulants based on chitosan. Chitosan is a natural substance (polymer) found, amongst other things, in crab shells, insect exoskeletons and fungal cell walls – in other words, waste products. The key point is that this waste can not only be recycled in a resource-efficient way, but is also effective in the field. It is transformed into a product that strengthens plants – helping them withstand drought, disease and heat stress.
“You can think of our product as a sort of vaccination,” explains co-founder Philipp. “The plant becomes more resilient, develops deeper roots and can carry out photosynthesis more efficiently – a huge advantage, especially in times of climate change.”
Co-founder Caro adds: “It’s important to us that our research doesn’t end in the laboratory. We want to show that biotechnology can make a very real contribution to solving pressing environmental problems – and that science and agriculture are shaping the future together.”
What has so far been investigated under laboratory conditions is to be tested in agricultural practice in future. “Our plant fortifier is already being used at a dosage of 200 grams per hectare. By way of comparison: with certain other products, significantly higher application rates may be required,” says founder Anne. This offers a double benefit: farmers can operate more cost-effectively, whilst the environment benefits from reduced pollution.
Anne sums it up: “We’ve seen that we’ve developed something truly worthwhile. And now we want it to make a difference out in the field.”
The idea for the foundation did not come about overnight. Rather, it was the desire to no longer keep the research results confined to academia.
The Münsterland region offers ideal conditions for their start-up: short distances to agriculture, strong regional networks and support from the REACH Euregio Start-up Centre. NURICOS has not yet been officially founded and is in the midst of the transformation from research project to market-ready product. The start-up is currently being funded by the state of NRW and the EU via the Start-up.Transfer.NRW programme and the team is working flat out on the next steps.
The transition to the start-up world opened up new perspectives - but also brought new challenges. The biggest of these? "No longer just thinking in scientific categories, but in entrepreneurial ones," says Anne.
There were also other lessons learnt: "Talk to your target group. What works great in the lab is not automatically marketable," emphasises Anne. The dialogue with farmers was crucial for the team right from the start, as was trust in each other. Because without a shared vision and reliable teamwork, says Philipp, "you can hardly get through the highs and lows of a start-up." The frustration tolerance from research also helps: Not everything works on the first try, and sticking with it is a must. It is now also clear to her that founding a company is not a sprint, but a process that requires courage, patience and real practical relevance.
The market for biostimulants is still in its infancy – but the potential is enormous. More and more fertilisers and pesticides are being banned, and farmers are under pressure. NURICOS is tackling this issue with a clear development goal: to develop reproducible plant fortifiers that can help plants cope with specific climate-related stresses. This is based on research carried out in Münster, which is now to be gradually implemented in agricultural practice.
