17 Nov 2010 07:00
Press release | 17 November 2010 |
Plant Impact and Cebeco Meststoffen BV sign distribution and evaluation agreement
Plant Impact plc (AIM: PIM) ("Plant Impact" or the "Company"), which develops and markets ecologically friendly crop nutrition and protection products, is pleased to announce it has signed a distribution and evaluation agreement (the "Agreement") with Cebeco Meststoffen BV ("Cebeco") covering the Company's InCa, PiNT Ca, PiNT K and Alethea K products (the "Crop Nutrient Products").
The Agreement grants Cebeco exclusive distribution rights for certain market segments (excluding golf courses and home and garden) in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg. The Agreement also gives Cebeco non-exclusive evaluation rights for Germany.
The Agreement is a result of a significant field trial development programme undertaken by Cebeco over a 24 month period. Cebeco have conducted more than 40 research standard field trials at independent centres in the Netherlands and Germany on various crops including potatoes, sugar beet, onions, carrots, apples and cherries. In addition to these official independent trials, Cebeco have conducted numerous demonstrations trials with growers.
During the early part of the field trial programme, Cebeco focused on the fruit and vegetable market but more recently they have placed increased importance on field trials of potatoes. With more than 470,000 hectares of potato crops in the Benelux countries and Germany, the directors of Plant Impact believe that the potential for Plant Impact's products is promising. The first batch of potato field trials conducted in 2010 have demonstrated encouraging efficacy results and the trial programme for 2011 will cover high value crops, including potatoes, sugar beet and grapes. There are currently over 50 research standard trials planned by Plant Impact and Cebeco as part of their joint development programme.
Dutch agriculture and horticulture is one of the most technically advanced in the world. The farmers are highly skilled, the cultivation methods are cutting edge and average yields are amongst the highest in the world. These factors combined with open international trade structures make Dutch agriculture a portal to the rest of the world. Proven innovations in the Netherlands are often adopted by farmers worldwide.
Jan de Laat, Commercial Manager of Cebeco, said: "We are facing a huge challenge to produce more and improve quality of crops, Plant Impact can contribute towards addressing those challenges this. We are pleased to be working in close cooperation with Plant Impact both commercially and in field development programmes. The product range offered by Plant Impact offers the solutions Cebeco have been looking for for many years. This distribution and evaluation agreement provides us with an excellent opportunity to develop better ways to produce more crops and improve results for farmers."
Peter Blezard, CEO of Plant Impact, commented: "We are delighted to announce this agreement with Cebeco. Plant Impact and Cebeco have developed a close working relationship developing field trial programmes, sharing data and resource. We believe that the Dutch market is key to Plant Impact both commercially and technically and having a partner like Cebeco will ensure maximum market potential."
Enquiries:
For further information, please contact:
Plant Impact Plc | |||
Peter Blezard, Chief Executive Office | +44 (0) 1772 645 164 | ||
Mike Panteli, Chief Financial Officer | +44 (0) 1772 645 165 | ||
Allenby Capital Limited - Nominated Adviser and Broker | |||
Nick Naylor / Alex Price
| +44 (0) 20 3328 5656 | ||
Conduit PR - Financial PR/IR | |||
Charlie Geller | +44 (0) 20 7429 6604 |
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About Cebeco Meststoffen BV
Cebeco Meststoffen BV is the buying organisation of the largest Agricultural and Horticultural cooperatives in the Netherlands. The two main shareholders Agrifirm and Horticoop have a total turnover of €2.3 billion with 3400 employees and outlets in several countries including The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Equador and Ehtiopia and the United States. Cebeco has partnerships with other cooperatives and privately owned companies in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany and France. These relationships along with Cebeco's teams provide a strong market penetration capability in the most important Agricultural markets in the North West of Europe.
About Plant Impact plc
Plant Impact develops and markets ecologically friendly crop nutrition and crop protection products. These products improve crop yields by reducing plant stresses caused by temperature, salinity, drought and light. The Company sells its products directly and through licensing agreements with international agrochemical companies. The Directors believe that Plant Impact is differentiated from its competitors by marketing effective and environmentally friendly products.
Plant Impact has four key technologies marketed initially to the high value fruit and vegetable crop sectors; Bug Oil, CaT, PiNT and Speedo. The next two years will be dominated by CaT and PiNT sales to existing markets, and BugOil milestone payments in advance of its international roll out through Arysta, a global top ten agrochemical company.
For further information please visit www.plantimpact.com