VitalFluid

This interview details VitalFluid, a Plasma Activated Water (PAW) solutions provider based in The Netherlands. The interview is with Paul Leenders, Director of VitalFluid.

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What is the origin story of VitalFluid?

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We are a high-tech company specialized in plasma technology founded in 2014 as a spinoff from the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). This was a result from a cooperative subsidy project to develop and investigate agricultural applications of plasma activated water (PAW). PAW was tested as a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides and as nitrogen fertilizer. The results of this project were very promising and the reason for the foundation of the company.

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At VitalFluid we develop equipment for the production and application of PAW. We focus on carbon-neutral production of nitrogen fertilizer that can easily be integrated into existing infrastructure. Our solution has an identical performance compared to existing synthetic fertilizers and shows improved yield in organic farming. The second agricultural application we are working on is plant health. PAW can be used to improve plant health and plant fitness thereby reducing the need for chemical pesticides, an important advantage is that PAW leaves no residue other than nitrate which stimulates crop yield.

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What are some of the biggest challenges facing VitalFluid in the future? 

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New governmental policies and legislation on fertilizers and pesticides offer opportunities, like for instance the Farm to Fork Strategy. But laws and regulations can also form a barrier for entering the market. We develop innovative agricultural inputs that don’t fit well into existing laws and regulations for fertilizers, organic cultivation, and pesticides. Furthermore, the interpretation of legislation often differs from country to country making this task even more difficult.

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What is unique about VitalFluid compared to competitors? 

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With our technology farmers are able to produce a sustainable, carbon-free nitrogen fertilizer, independently, with on-farm inputs making only use of water, ambient air, and electricity. With the same technology, it is possible to reduce the use of pesticides by spraying PAW on crops, leaving only nitrate as residue, a perfect fertilizer for the plant.

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How do you measure the impact of VitalFluid so far? (Revenue, Employees, Customer Quantity, Production Volume) etc? 

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Our goal is to make food production more sustainable by offering alternatives to traditional agricultural chemicals. We have 10 systems sold in the US and 18 new systems are in production. For demonstration purposes, we are setting up projects in the Netherlands, Spain, and Morocco. The company currently has 30 employees and is growing in order to realize future objectives.

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What have you learned that you wish you knew when you joined or started the company? 

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Before starting the company, I would like to have had more knowledge and know-how about the backgrounds of growing crops, and farming in general. Having a good idea or technology that can make agriculture more sustainable is only a small part of the picture. It is important that your idea or technology will be adopted by the end users, so that it fits into their value chain, creating a profitable business model.

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How can people connect with you or learn more about VitalFluid?

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VitalFluid B.V.
High Tech Campus 25-5
5656 AE Eindhoven
The Netherlands

info@vitalfluid.com
+31 85 0603 025

Website: https://vitalfluid.com

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