In line with the European Union’s priority of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, research and development contributes through innovation to the implementation of agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimize the use of resources and contribute to the resilience of agricultural systems.
Norofert has developed a Microorganism Research and Multiplication Laboratory to support the adoption of ecological inputs in agriculture and the considerable reduction of the amounts of pesticides that must be applied to crops.
The microorganism research and multiplication laboratory built by Norofert is the only laboratory of this type in Romania, and the element of uniqueness is the flexibility in the production of new derived strains to meet the challenges brought by climate change.
Proprietary microorganisms, isolated and developed in the state-of-the-art laboratory, have the potential to provide innovative solutions in the fight against diseases and pests, while improving plant nutrition. Propagation of proprietary microorganisms is an essential step towards ensuring food security and developing a more sustainable agricultural system.
This laboratory has the capacity not only to produce but also to market customized micro-organisms adapted to the specific requirements of farmers.
The team dedicated to this project embodies a valuable combination of skills, bringing together both talented engineers and specialized researchers. These professionals are an integral part of the team, both as Norofert employees and as external collaborators. Thus, the close partnership between experts within the company and specialists from various research fields strengthens the holistic and multidisciplinary approach of the project.
Launch date: Phase 1 was completed in November 2023, and Phase 2 will be launched in autumn of 2024.
The first stage of the project marks a significant milestone by completing the construction of a medium-sized laboratory, representing an advanced and well-equipped technological space, in which the company invested 3 million lei. This laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that allows complex research and the multiplication processes of microorganisms.
A crucial aspect of this stage is marked by the close collaboration between Norofert’s team of researchers and technicians and the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (USAMV) Bucharest. Through this partnership, Norofert has access to scientific expertise and university resources, collaborating on the isolation and development of proprietary microorganisms. This approach represents a valuable synergy between the private and academic sectors, resulting in the identification and optimization of microorganisms with great potential in agriculture.
The second stage of the project represents an expansion of the laboratory’s functions towards the research and development of new strains of microorganisms dedicated to agriculture.
The main purpose of this laboratory is twofold: on the one hand, Norofert aims to become a raw material supplier for European producers of agricultural inputs, offering innovative and high-quality microorganisms. On the other hand, Norofert wants the laboratory to become an important private research center in the field of biotechnology, strengthening its position as a key player in the advancement of knowledge and applied technologies in agriculture.