Bioline Agrosciences

This interview details Bioline Agrosciences, a Biological Control Agroscience company based in the UK. The interview is with Simon Beasley, Technical Agronomist of Bioline Agrosciences.

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What is the origin story of Bioline Agrosciences?

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We have over 48 years of commercial mass insect rearing experience for biocontrol on horticultural and agricultural crops. We have been here from the start of commercial biocontrol in horticulture, both in France as Biotop and in the UK as Bioline. In 2016 these companies joined to form Bioline Agrosciences, and we have continued to grow ever since. We are now producing and supplying insects for biocontrol across North America, Europe, and Africa.

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What are some of the biggest challenges facing Bioline Agrosciences in the future?

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As with most producers these days the rising cost of energy and transport are two of the biggest challenges. To combat this we concentrate on efficiency, (reducing and eliminating waste) and sourcing energy and materials from sustainable sources in order to safeguard our future.

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What is unique about Bioline Agrosciences compared to competitors?

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We are the only company producing insects for biocontrol in the UK. At the same time though, we have insectaries all around the world in Europe, North America, and Africa. Our product delivery systems such as the Gemini controlled release sachet and Bug Line are unique to us and have revolutionized the market. We continue to innovate with several new release systems being launched in 2024/25.

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What is the current size of your growing area?

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We only grow crops to rear our insects on rather than for human consumption! As such it’s not a huge area although we have 8 sites worldwide. We supply our products globally to growers of all sorts of crops and therefore are protecting tens of thousands of hectares.

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Do you see supplemental CO2 in your grow operations you work with – What are your thoughts in CO2 usage in indoor farms?

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Although we don’t use supplemental CO2 we understand the reasons and benefits of using CO2. Our wish would be that any supplementary CO2 used in horticulture is used as efficiently as possible and comes from an environmentally friendly and sustainable source.

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Energy is a big topic in indoor farming right now. What are you seeing farms do to manage electricity costs?

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As already mentioned, cutting waste and sourcing from sustainable providers is the biggest shift in energy cost management we’ve seen. In some extreme cases, this has resulted in shortening growing cycles and even complete change in crops grown.

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How can people connect with you or learn more about Bioline Agrosciences?
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Website: https://www.biolineagrosciences.com

Email: sbeasley@biolineagrosciences.com

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