SAN AGROW

What SAN AGROW does

SAN Agrow is the crop protection business unit of SAN Group GmbH, an Austrian-headquartered biotechnology company founded in October 2020 by Erich Erber following the sale of Erber Group (Biomin, Romer Labs) to Royal DSM. The unit was formed by combining two predecessor entities—bio-ferm GmbH in Austria and Westbridge Agricultural Products Inc. in the United States—bringing together more than 50 years of combined expertise in biological crop protection. SAN Agrow develops, manufactures, and distributes biological plant protection products, including biopesticides, biofungicides, bioherbicides, biostimulants, and plant growth regulators, for both organic and conventional agriculture across Europe (EEA countries, Turkey) and the United States. Its principal technology is built around naturally occurring microorganisms—primarily the yeast Aureobasidium pullulans—and proprietary plant-extract formulations.

The commercial portfolio comprises BOTECTOR (biological fungicide for Botrytis control in grapes, strawberries, tomatoes), BLOSSOM PROTECT (organic bactericide and fungicide for fire blight in pome fruits), AUREO SHIELD (post-harvest citrus fungicide), SUPPRESS (OMRI-listed organic herbicide), TRIGGRR (next-generation biostimulant carrying CE marking as PFC 6 (B)), Duralev (a Cerevisane-based Systemic Resistance Induction product distributed via Agrauxine), and Buffer Protect NT (buffer companion to BLOSSOM PROTECT). The three Aureobasidium pullulans-based products have been consolidated under the AP PROTECTORS sub-brand to anchor a single microbial chassis in the market. Products carry OMRI listing, EU Regulation 2018/848 organic certification, and Soil Association verification, addressing growers' need for residue-free solutions compatible with integrated pest management programs.

SAN Agrow operates through a hybrid go-to-market combining direct field sales to enterprise growers with channel partnerships, including Biofa GmbH (Germany), Agrauxine (Cerevisane/Duralev technology), and a network of agricultural retailers across the US West Coast and Europe. The company is founder-controlled under Erich Erber (President) with Kai Lie Stacher as CEO since October 2023. R&D is anchored at the 9,000 sqm SAN Biotech Park in Herzogenburg, Austria (a 40 million euro investment creating approximately 200 jobs), supplemented by a long-term collaboration with BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales with no subscription, licensing, or platform model disclosed.

Name

SAN AGROW

Legal name

SAN Group GmbH

Website

https://san-agrow.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SAN Agrow develops and distributes biological crop protection products—biopesticides, biofungicides, bioherbicides, and biostimulants based on Aureobasidium pullulans and plant extracts—for organic and conventional growers in Europe and the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biological Crop Protection

NAICS

Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (32532)

SIC

Agricultural Chemicals (2870)

akta.pro primary industry

Biological Pest Control (Beneficial Insects, Nematodes, Microbials) (AFABAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fungicides (AFABAAAC), Post-Harvest Crop Protection (Stored Grain Protectants, Post-Harvest Fungicides) (AFABAAAM), Crop Protection Chemicals (Herbicides/Insecticides/Fungicides) (IMAEAEAI)

Keywords

• Biological crop protection
• Biopesticide manufacturing
• Organic agriculture inputs
• Biostimulant development
• Microbial biocontrol products

Headquarters

HQ city

Vista

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Biopesticides: Biological pesticides including biofungicides and bioherbicides for organic and conventional crop protection
2. Biostimulants: Plant growth enhancers like TRIGGRR for improving crop yield and quality
3. Nutrients and Plant Growth Regulators: Nutrient products and plant growth regulators for sustainable crop production

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SAN Agrow develops and manufactures biological crop protection products, including biofungicides (BOTECTOR, BLOSSOM PROTECT, AUREO SHIELD), the biostimulant TRIGGRR, the organic herbicide SUPPRESS, and the Cerevisane-based crop protection tool Duralev. The products are built around the proprietary microorganism Aureobasidium pullulans and plant extracts for sustainable and organic farming. They are sold to growers, agricultural retailers, and distribution partners across the US and EMEA.

Product overview

SAN Agrow is the crop protection business unit of SAN Group, offering a unified portfolio of biological crop protection products. The core offerings include: BOTECTOR (biological fungicide for gray mold control), BLOSSOM PROTECT (organic bactericide for fire blight), AUREO SHIELD (post-harvest fungicide for citrus), TRIGGRR (next-generation biostimulant), and SUPPRESS (organic herbicide). These products are unified under the AP PROTECTORS sub-brand when sharing the Aureobasidium pullulans active ingredient. Products range from biofungicides and bactericides to biostimulants and bioherbicides, all based on microorganisms or plant extracts for sustainable and organic agriculture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BOTECTOR: Biological fungicide for protection against gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) in grapes, strawberries, tomatoes, and other specialty crops. Uses Aureobasidium pullulans as active ingredient.
• BLOSSOM PROTECT
• TRIGGRR
• AUREO SHIELD
• SUPPRESS
• AP PROTECTORS
• Duralev
• BUFFER PROTECT NT

Products and services

• BOTECTOR Biological fungicide using Aureobasidium pullulans to protect crops from Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) in grapes, strawberries, tomatoes, and specialty crops. Certified organic, rainfast, residue-free, and winemaking-safe.
• BLOSSOM PROTECT Organic bactericide and fungicide containing two unique strains of Aureobasidium pullulans for controlling fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) in pome fruits and preventing storage diseases. Offers synthetic-antibiotic-level efficacy with zero residues.
• TRIGGRR Next-generation biostimulant designed to optimize crop growth, enhance nutrient efficiency, and improve yield and quality. Formulated from a unique combination of plant extracts, seaweed extracts, and fermentation products, and certified as a Plant Biostimulant (PFC 6 (B)) with CE marking.
• AUREO SHIELD Organic post-harvest fungicide that protects citrus fruits from storage diseases. Uses Aureobasidium pullulans as active ingredient, applied as spray or drench to form a living shield on fruit surfaces without chemical residues.
• SUPPRESS Original organic herbicide on the US market. Broad-spectrum, post-emergent contact herbicide (emulsifiable concentrate) for non-selective use in food and non-food crops, OMRI-listed for organic weed control.
• BUFFER PROTECT NT Buffer product applied in combination with BLOSSOM PROTECT to optimize efficacy against fire blight during bloom in pome fruits. Registered trademark supporting BLOSSOM PROTECT applications.
• AP PROTECTORS Product line uniting three biocontrol products (BOTECTOR, BLOSSOM PROTECT, AUREO SHIELD) under the Aureobasidium pullulans active ingredient, providing comprehensive crop protection from bloom through storage for growers seeking sustainable, residue-free solutions.
• Duralev Crop protection tool based on Cerevisane technology that activates the plant's own defense system through Systemic Resistance Induction (SRI). Composed of a non-living organism and distributed under agreement with Agrauxine.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rain can enhance active ingredient growth by up to 20%
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 July 2021Long-term collaboration agreement between SAN Group and BOKU's Department IFA-Tulln for research on chemical-free plant protection. Focus areas include biotechnological plant protection and bioanalytics. Research programs involve using natural organisms to biologically control plant diseases in soil and plant bases.
• Biofa GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership for German market. Biofa GmbH serves as the distribution partner for SAN Agrow's organic products including Botector, Blossom Protect, and Buffer Protect in Germany.
• AgrauxinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution agreement for Cerevisane technology. SAN Agrow launched Duralev, a new class of crop protection tool using this technology that activates the plant's own defense system through Systemic Resistance Induction (SRI).
• Fronius International GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner for green hydrogen production plant at SAN Biotech Park. Upper-Austrian family-owned company providing technology for the first green hydrogen production facility in Lower Austria.
• SWAP Architektur – iC consulentenminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitectural firm responsible for planning of SAN Biotech Park project in Herzogenburg.
• STRABAGminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral constructor for SAN Biotech Park construction project.
• PlanSinnminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture firm responsible for open space design of SAN Biotech Park, using primarily local plant types.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Agrauxine (Lesaffre): French biocontrol subsidiary of Lesaffre developing yeast- and fungi-based crop protection products. Directly comparable microbial biocontrol peer and existing distribution partner of SAN Agrow via the Cerevisane/Duralev agreement.
• Certis Biologicals: US-based biological crop protection company offering biofungicides, bioinsecticides, and bionematicides for specialty and row crops. Directly comparable as a biocontrol-focused peer serving organic and conventional growers with microbial active ingredients.
• Koppert Biological Systems: Dutch global leader in biological crop protection and natural pollination, offering microbial fungicides, bactericides, and biostimulants. Directly comparable as a specialist biocontrol company operating across Europe and the Americas with Aureobasidium-equivalent microbial products.
• BioWorks Inc. US-based biological crop protection company specializing in biofungicides, bioinsecticides, and biostimulants for greenhouse and specialty crops. Directly comparable niche biocontrol peer, particularly for the US West Coast viticulture and specialty fruit segments SAN Agrow serves.
• Biofa GmbH: German distributor and developer of organic plant protection products for fruit, viticulture, and vegetable growers. Comparable peer and channel partner of SAN Agrow, operating in adjacent biocontrol niches in the German and European specialty crop markets.

Broad incumbents

• Bayer Crop Science (Biologics): Global agrochemical incumbent with an expanding biologicals portfolio including biofungicides and biostimulants acquired through biotech partnerships. Comparable as a large-scale player moving into biocontrol, competing for the same shelf space and grower relationships as SAN Agrow.
• Novonesis (Novozymes agricultural biologicals): Global bioscience company formed from Novozymes and Chr. Hansen, with a substantial agricultural biologicals business spanning biocontrol microbes, biostimulants, and biofertilizers. Comparable scale player in the same biocontrol and biostimulant category as SAN Agrow.
• BASF Agricultural Solutions: Global agrochemical company with biological crop protection products including biofungicides and biostimulants (e.g., Serifel, Integral Pro). Comparable broad incumbent operating in the same crop protection category with biological alternatives overlapping SAN Agrow's specialty crop focus.
• Syngenta Biologicals: Global crop protection and seeds company with a growing biologicals portfolio under its Syngenta Biologicals unit. Comparable as a broad incumbent adding biocontrol to its synthetic chemistry portfolio, applying pricing and distribution pressure on specialty biocontrol players like SAN Agrow.
• Corteva Agriscience: Global agriculture company offering seeds, crop protection, and biological solutions including biofungicides and biostimulants. Comparable broad incumbent entering biocontrol, with similar specialty-crop and broadacre reach ambitions to SAN Agrow's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries5 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 SAN AGROW