Slow pyrolysis liquids from biomass feedstocks for pest and disease management
Bio-based liquids produced through slow pyrolysis of various biomass feedstocks (wheat, willow, birch, aspen, pine) with demonstrated potential as broad-leaf weed control agents, soft-bodied insect repellents, fungicides, and mollusk repellents. Hardwood-derived liquids show the most promising results.
Overview
This solution involves slow pyrolysis liquids produced from a range of biomass feedstocks, including wheat, willow, birch, aspen, and pine. These bio-based liquids have demonstrated multi-functional properties relevant to crop protection and pest management, including activity against broad-leaf weeds, soft-bodied insects, fungi, and mollusks. Among the feedstocks tested, hardwood-derived liquids (such as birch and aspen) appear to provide the most valuable properties, suggesting that feedstock selection is a key lever for optimizing efficacy.
The technology offers a renewable, bio-based alternative to conventional synthetic pesticides and molluscicides, aligning with growing demand for sustainable agricultural inputs. Potential applications include integrated pest management programs, organic farming systems, and specialty crop protection where reduced chemical inputs are desired.
Technical specifications
Production process:
- Slow pyrolysis and torrefaction of lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks
- Compatible with agricultural residues (wheat) and short-rotation woody crops (willow, birch, aspen, pine)
- Feedstock-dependent product characteristics, with hardwood feedstocks yielding the most effective liquids
Observed bioactivity:
- Herbicidal activity against broad-leaf weeds
- Repellent or control effects on soft-bodied insects
- Fungicidal properties
- Mollusk repellent activity
Key advantages:
- Renewable, biomass-derived product
- Multi-target pest and disease control potential
- Flexibility in feedstock selection allows tailoring of product properties
Technology readiness level
The research is at an early-to-mid stage of development. Initial hypothesis-generation work has identified promising bioactivity across multiple pest and disease categories, with hardwood feedstocks showing particular promise. Further validation studies are needed to characterize dose-response relationships, field efficacy, formulation requirements, and regulatory pathways before commercial deployment can be realized. The research is conducted at Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), which offers access to greenhouse testing services, controlled-environment trials, and extensive research infrastructure to support further development and validation.
About Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is a national government research organization based in Helsinki, operating multi‑site facilities across the country to advance the sustainable use of renewable natural resources. For industry, Luke provides access to extensive infrastructures—including research forests, experimental fields and barns, climate‑controlled greenhouses, aquaculture farms, laboratories, and a biobank—available on‑site, remotely, or virtually; it manages 13 research forests totaling nearly 25,000 hectares. Co‑located on Helsinki’s Viikki campus alongside major public research actors, Luke offers greenhouse testing services and other controlled‑environment trials, and is opening its infrastructures to wider external use in 2025 under a formal access policy. Its work is supported by competitive national and European funding, including Research Council of Finland infrastructure grants, Business Finland commercialization programs, and Horizon Europe projects. A structured commercialization pathway evaluates IP before publication and negotiates licensing or startup routes with companies.
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