Braveheart takes one-third stake in Nottingham Trent spin-out Pharm2Farm
Braveheart Investment Group
6.50p
16:49 26/04/24
Fund management and strategic investor group Braveheart has acquired a 33% holding in Pharm2Farm (P2F), a spin-out from Nottingham Trent University based in Nottingham, it announced on Monday.
Financial Services
14,051.23
16:59 26/04/24
FTSE AIM All-Share
755.28
17:14 26/04/24
The AIM-traded firm said Nottingham Trent University and P2F had developed and patented a process to increase the bioavailability of trace minerals in plant feeds.
It said the patented process used nanotechnology to “dramatically improve” trace element take-up in both flower and crop farming.
P2F produces and sells the products through an exclusive licence to the technology from Nottingham Trent University.
“Since records began in the 1940's, the nutritional value of the UK's and worldwide crops has diminished dramatically,” the Braveheart board said in its statement.
“Many of the intensively grown foods produced can no longer be regarded to be 'as healthy' because they lack the levels of trace elements once present. P2F produces these specialist nutrients in a unique way so that plants can absorb them more effectively.”
It explained that the “pioneering” technology was initially developed to enrich the nutritional value of potatoes, in conjunction with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, which represents farmers.
Preliminary results showed a 20% increase in iron uptake by tubers, as well as an increase in yield and an approximate two-week reduction in the time to harvest.
The patented technology had now been developed for use in the growing of other commercial crops, both in soil and hydroponically.
“The worldwide hydroponics market alone is estimated to be $8.1bn in 2019 and is expected to continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 12% to $16bn by 2025, with the European Union remaining the largest market for hydroponically produced crops.
“The board of Braveheart believes there is a substantial market opportunity for this technology and is in negotiations to take the group's shareholding in P2F to 54% by way of a working capital investment.”