BIO-FERM

What BIO-FERM does

BIO-FERM (bio-ferm GmbH) is an Austrian biotechnology company founded in 2004 that develops and supplies biological crop protection products, including biopesticides, biofungicides, bioherbicides, plant nutrients, and plant growth regulators. Its products are based on microorganisms and plant extracts, with core technology spanning microbial biocontrol agents, microbial fermentations, plant extracts, biostimulants, and plant nutrition. The flagship portfolio includes BOTECTOR (a residue-free biological fungicide targeting Botrytis cinerea in vineyards), BLOSSOM PROTECT (residue-free pome-fruit protection), TRIGGRR (a plant-extract, seaweed, and fermentation-based biostimulant), Duralev (a non-living-organism product activating Systemic Resistance Induction via licensed Cerevisane Technology from Agrauxine), AUREO SHIELD (organic post-harvest citrus fungicide), SUPPRESS (organic herbicide), and the AP PROTECTORS biocontrol trio.

In 2020, BIO-FERM combined with Westbridge Agricultural Products Inc. (USA) to form SAN Agrow, the crop protection business unit of SAN Group, a diversified biotechnology conglomerate founded by Erich Erber. SAN Group is headquartered in Herzogenburg, Austria, with US operations in Vista, California, and reports approximately 200 employees and around 50 million euros in annual group sales. BIO-FERM serves both organic and conventional farming operations through direct sales in Europe and the US and via channel partners and distributors, participating in industry events such as ABIM (Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting) and World Ag Expo. The company is supported by SAN Group's broader R&D platform, including a collaboration with BOKU University and infrastructure buildout via the SAN Biotech Park in Herzogenburg.

Name

BIO-FERM

Legal name

bio-ferm GmbH

Website

https://bio-ferm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Short description

BIO-FERM is an Austrian biotech company that develops biological crop protection products (biopesticides, biofungicides, bioherbicides, biostimulants) based on microorganisms and plant extracts. It operates as part of SAN Agrow, the crop protection unit of SAN Group, serving organic and conventional growers across Europe and the US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biological Crop Protection

NAICS

Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (32532)

SIC

Agricultural Chemicals (2870), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Microbial Biofungicides (AFABAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biostimulants & Plant Health Biologicals (Microbial/Non-microbial) (AFABAEAK), Biological Pest Control (Beneficial Insects, Nematodes, Microbials) (AFABAKAB)

Keywords

• Biological crop protection
• Biopesticides and biofungicides
• Biostimulants and bioherbicides
• Plant extracts agriculture
• Microbial biocontrol agents

Headquarters

HQ city

Herzogenburg

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Crop Protection Products: Sale of biotechnological crop protection products including biopesticides, biofungicides, bioherbicides, nutrients, and plant growth regulators based on microorganisms or plant extracts for sustainable agriculture.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BIO-FERM develops, produces, and sells biological crop protection products based on microorganisms and plant extracts, including biopesticides (BOTECTOR, BLOSSOM PROTECT, AUREO SHIELD), bioherbicides (SUPPRESS), biostimulants (TRIGGRR), and Systemic Resistance Induction-based tools (Duralev). It also offers a trio of biocontrol products (AP PROTECTORS) and related plant nutrition and growth regulation products for organic and conventional growers, primarily in Europe and North America.

Product overview

BIO-FERM (bio-ferm GmbH) is the Austrian subsidiary of SAN Group's crop protection business unit, SAN Agrow. The company offers a portfolio of biological crop protection products including biopesticides, biofungicides, and bioherbicides, along with nutrients and plant growth regulators. Core products include BOTECTOR (biological fungicide for Botrytis protection), BLOSSOM PROTECT (residue-free fruit protection), TRIGGRR (biostimulant), Duralev (SRI-based crop protection using Cerevisane Technology from Agrauxine), AUREO SHIELD (post-harvest citrus protection), SUPPRESS (organic herbicide), and AP PROTECTORS (biocontrol product trio). Products are based on microorganisms or plant extracts, contributing to sustainable organic and conventional crop farming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BOTECTOR Natural biological fungicide providing protection against Gray Mold (Botrytis cinerea) for vineyards. Residue-free, rainfast, and winemaking-safe; designed for sustainable viticulture and organic and conventional crop protection.
• BLOSSOM PROTECT Proven, residue-free biological protection product specifically formulated for apples and pears, used during the blossoming period to prevent fire blight and related diseases.
• TRIGGRR Next-generation biostimulant containing a unique mix of plant extracts, seaweed, and fermentation products, designed to help growers achieve higher yields, better quality, and greater efficiency in modern agriculture.
• Duralev New class of crop protection tool composed of a non-living organism that activates the plant's own defense system through Systemic Resistance Induction (SRI); based on Cerevisane Technology licensed from Agrauxine.
• AUREO SHIELD Revolutionary organic fungicide designed to protect citrus fruits post-harvest, providing handlers with organic protection for their produce.
• SUPPRESS Organic herbicide providing fast-acting weed control solution for growers seeking effective organic weed management, with strong adoption among West Coast U.S. growers.
• AP PROTECTORS Trio of biocontrol products safeguarding crop quality from bloom to storage, representing a new era in integrated biological crop protection.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AgrauxinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 October 2024SAN Agrow signed distribution agreement with Agrauxine for Cerevisane Technology and launched Duralev. Duralev represents a new class of crop protection tools composed of a non-living organism that activates the plant's own defense system through Systemic Resistance Induction (SRI).
• BOKU (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 July 2021SAN Group signed collaboration agreement with BOKU and its Department IFA-Tulln to support future technologies on chemical-free plant protection. This joint endeavor focuses on research and development of innovative plant protection solutions.
• Westbridge Agricultural Products Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestbridge Agricultural Products Inc. in the USA was part of the founding entities that joined to create SAN Agrow. The company contributed to the formation of SAN Group's crop protection business unit.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BioWorks: North American biological plant protection company with biofungicides (e.g., BotryStop), bioinsecticides and biostimulants. Closely comparable in product mechanics and target crops (vineyards, fruit).
• Agrauxine (Lesaffre): Biocontrol arm of Lesaffre focused on yeast- and fermentation-derived crop protection. Directly comparable as a microbial biologicals peer, and BIO-FERM/SAN Agrow's 2024 distribution deal with Agrauxine for Cerevisane Technology (basis of Duralev) makes them both partner and functional peer.
• Koppert Biological Systems: Global leader in biological crop protection and natural pollination, offering microbial fungicides, biostimulants, and IPM solutions. Comparable in product breadth and sustainable-agriculture positioning.
• Certis Biologicals: U.S.-based manufacturer of biological pesticides including biofungicides and bionematicides. Closely overlaps BIO-FERM's microbial fungicide and biocontrol portfolio across fruit and row crops.
• Andermatt Biocontrol: Swiss pioneer in biological crop protection with global distribution of biopesticides, biofungicides, and beneficial insects — directly comparable European biocontrol specialist.

Emerging players

• Marrone Bio Innovations (Bioceres Crop Solutions): Now part of Bioceres, an emerging biologicals platform offering microbial biofungicides and biopesticides in fruit and vegetable markets. Comparable in product mode-of-action and target crops.

Broad incumbents

• Bayer Crop Science (Biologics): Global agriscience major actively expanding into biocontrol and biostimulants via internal R&D and acquisitions. Operates in the same target crops as BIO-FERM but at vastly larger scale.
• Syngenta Biologicals: Global agriscience player with a recently established biologicals unit and dedicated biocontrol pipeline (e.g., acquired Valagro). Broad incumbent competing in the same grower segments BIO-FERM targets.
• BASF Agricultural Solutions: Major chemical and biological crop protection company with products like Serifel biofungicide and biostimulant portfolio. Competes in many of the same specialty fruit and viticulture markets.
• Valent BioSciences: Subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical focused on biorational and microbial products including biofungicides (e.g., Serenade). Larger incumbent in the same biological crop-protection category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsNixwxo4gBnolxBfTKRJtA
• Facebookfacebook.com/sanagrow.planthealth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sanagrow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BIO-FERM