Development and lab-scale manufacture of biologicals for sustainable agriculture

The AIT formulation team has profound experience in the development and lab-scale manufacture of biologicals as beads, capsules, seed coatings, foliar spray, granules and powders. In previous and ongoing EU, national and international research projects and in multiple types of contract research, AIT has proven a very strong expertise in the development and physico-chemical characterization of microbial seed coatings and granules, capsules and beads of distinct release profiles for application as biostimulants and biocontrol agents. AIT is interested to incorporate, test and evaluate novel binders, adhesives and other agricultural relevant biodegradable materials that comply with the upcoming EU Fertilizing Products Regulation. AIT offers biocompatibility testing of selected microorganisms with different formulations, co-formulants and adjuvants, and persistence testing (including rainfastness) of foliar spray formulations at simulated field conditions. AIT has the resources and capabilities to support biological and biological/chemical product development and a well-equipped chemistry lab for formulation development, e.g., seed coating machine with rotor-stator mixing principle, Mini-Glatt fluidized bed system, both in bottom and top spray for granulation, drying and coating processes, Encapsulator equipped with either a flow vibration or concentric nozzle system, basket extruder. For the characterization of the coatings and capsules microscopic techniques including light and fluorescence microscopes, AFM, SEM are in place as well as a contact angle analyzer, climate chambers, simulated rain system, and friability tester; furthermore a wire house and fully equipped greenhouse facilities for release studies and bioassays.