Oleg Kouzbit, Online News Managing Editor

An 18-month-old start-up, Moscow’s Bioland, has developed what it claims is the world’s first biosubstance to neutralize up to 98% of toxins in soil and water. It’s now moving ahead with $500-600k plans for commercial production. In the wake of tests conducted on different soils in Moscow, Altai and the Rostov region Bioland believes its new biologic is “safe for people and animals” and also boosts crop yield by 15-20%.

Moscow-based Bioland has reportedly launched small-scale production of its first major innovation product—a biosubstance developed to treat pesticide-infested land and stimulate vegetation. The developers say the product, called Phenox, is “the world’s first biosubstance” to effectively neutralize up to 98% of all toxics that currently pollute lands and water.

Research that has brought about the Phenox biologic (also known as Phonox-Pe) took about two years and a reported $320+k investment to complete.

Bioland’s first reported Phenox sale is a $260k shipment and distribution contract with Moscow’s Biomall and Kirov regional partner Spetshimagro. The latter are expected to market the new product across Russian regions.

The innovative company has reportedly secured yet-undisclosed financial support from Moscow-based construction developer Evocom for setting up commercial production. According to a source familiar with the project, this next stage will require at least $480-645k.

From the classroom to reality

The team behind the Phenox project is a group of young Moscow State University based scientists led by Lilia Anisimova, which set up Bioland to focus on soil and water treatment biochemicals last May.

The start-up reportedly includes five permanent research staff and also brings fresh MSU graduates on board whenever necessary.

With an under $300k seed investment from undisclosed private sources and a $30k grant from Russia’s Bortnik Fund (a government-run fund set up in 1994 to support small innovative companies), Bioland got its Phenox certified and this past May launched small-scale production on a leased site in Pushkino outside Moscow.

How it works

At the heart of the Phenox technology is microorganisms’ proven hunger for pesticides as a plentiful source of carbon and energy to keep them alive.

By introducing a select group of germs in high quantities to soil to be treated, the company says it has harnessed the decomposing power of seven unique bacterial strains, or destructor germs.

The researchers claim both the bacteria used and the sanitized earth and water are “completely non-toxic and non-pathogenic” and cause no harm to people and animals.

Once introduced, the microbes immediately get to work by attacking soil contaminants and decomposing their dangerous compound xenobiotics into water, carbon dioxide and other basic germ metabolism products that Bioland says are not detrimental to the environment.

Cleaning up contaminated soils and structures

This past summer, the company tested its product in pesticide-contaminated land by the Lake Teletskoye tourist area in Altai, Southern Siberia, as well as land and walls of an ancient church in the Rostov region where the Soviets used to store pesticides.

Last month, Bioland conducted a test in the very heart of the Russian capital—Moscow’s Central Gorky Park.

After more than 60 years of heavy pesticide use, the Park’s upper rich layer was badly polluted. In addition to contaminating the parkland, the pesticides became hazardous to people and park animals during the heat of summer as they evaporated.

Bioland claims its Phenox has successfully addressed the problem, removing decades-old pesticide deposits and “restoring the park’s natural microflora.”

With further testing the technology the developers believe that vast areas of abandoned agricultural lands can be reclaimed using Phenox.

…and increasing crop yields 15-20%

Bioland says its new product not only destroys pesticides, it boosts crop yield by 15-20%. According to Biomall (the developers’ distribution partner), Phenox almost doubles seeds’ germinating capacity.

With a string of positive test results, its first sale already on the books and a new infusion of venture capital, Bioland is on a fast track.