Hazard Reduction

Nalco Water, a branch of Ecolab Inc., has developed a technology that allows for the close monitoring of water in industrial cooling systems. This technology detects when the water condition favors mineral scaling and signifies the presence of anaerobic organisms. The system also detects the planktonic and sessile bacteria activity and regulates the amount of biocide in the water. The system is secured against corrosion as well due to a corrosion inhibitor. Water-based cooling systems are common in buildings and industrial processes.

Peptide emPOWERed™ Insecticides are peptide-based biological pesticides from naturally occurring molecules with effective insecticidal properties benign to mammals and vertebrates and not cross-resistant with synthetic insecticides. Biological pesticides are substances that naturally occur in or are inspired by nature, commonly target specific pests, and decompose quickly. The genes that encode for these peptides are inserted into a yeast strain, which undergoes a fermentation process that yields Spear peptide, the active ingredient for the pesticide.

Coordination compound that has the potential to be applied as a biocide for the prevention of algae and bacterial growth in water for industrial use. Tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium sulfate (THPS) is an organophosphorus compound with low toxicity, biodegradability, and exceptional activity against microorganisms. Since this biocide is non-halogenated and is produced in a water solution, it does not generate VOC emissions. It's readily biodegradable by oxidative process, hydrolysis and interactions with light and/or organisms.

Microbial-based insecticide that targets sucking and chewing insects, flies, and mites on a variety of conventional crops (fruits, vegetables, etc.). This microbial-based bioinsecticide contains several active compounds that act in many ways to protect crops from insects, flies, and mites. It also repels, stops feeding, reduces reproduction, and induces mortality of these pests. The technology has been shown to control up to 99% of pest populations in tests. The insecticide saves time, requiring only a 4-hour re-entry interval and minimum need for PPE.

RNA synthesis for highly specific pest control. This technology targets the destructive organism and leaves beneficial insects unharmed. RNA also breaks down quickly in the environment and is undetectable after 4 days. This technology uses a proprietary cell-free methodology that enables the delivery of high volumes of Technical Grade Active Ingredient (TGAI) dsRNA that costs less than $1 per gram to produce. Its application is also scalable and flexible for existing manufacturing processes.

Termite colony elimination system. This technology uses a hexaflumuron bait system that keeps termites from molting (shedding their exoskeleton), a process they must undergo to survive. Conventional termite control uses large volumes of pesticides in large areas of soil surrounding houses or buildings to create a barrier, which is wasteful, contaminates soil, and exposes hazardous chemicals to humans. These liquid treatments also only kill a fraction of termites, and the remaining population can move under or around the barrier.

Pesticide produced from Saccharopolyspora spinosa that can effectively combat pests in many fruits and vegetables plantations. Traditional chemical pesticides negatively impact the environment and human health and allow pests to become resistant. Spinosad is readily biodegradable, has low mammalian and avian toxicity, and does not pose risks of groundwater contamination. Saccharopolyspora spinosa metabolizes spinosyn A and D (commonly known as Spinosad), which kills insects by attacking their neural systems.

Protein-based formulation to replace traditional pesticides. This product is non-toxic and biodegradable, enhances plant growth, and enables higher production yields. It achieves this by creating proteins called harpin that intensify the plants' defense system and enhance plant growth without altering genetic material. Harpin also boosts photosynthesis, nutrient absorption, and root growth. The manufacturing process does not rely on organic solvents and hazardous chemicals and only generates highly biodegradable byproducts as waste. 

Bayer CropScience developed a microbial fungicide for fruits and vegetables that produces lipopeptides to combat the growth and development of fungi. This technology is made of QST-713, a soil bacterium that protects the plant by creating a protective layer on the surface of the plant leaf (preventing the attack of pathogens) and producing multiple different lipopeptides (iturins, agrastatins/plipastatins, and surfactins) that inhibit the development of fungi by different mechanisms of action. The combined properties of Serenade® make it an effective and specific fungicide.