Certis Belchim and agri-biotech company Elicit Plant have announced a strategic partnership to co-develop a potato-specific biostimulant aimed at helping growers manage climate-related stresses affecting crop performance across Europe.

The collaboration combines Certis Belchim’s portfolio of potato crop protection solutions with Elicit Plant’s research capabilities, including its patented EliTerra® phytosterol-based technology platform. The companies say the joint effort is designed to accelerate the development of a bio-solution that can support potato yields and quality under increasingly variable climatic conditions.

According to the companies, the partnership focuses on creating a formulation and application approach that integrates into existing spraying programmes used by potato growers. This compatibility with established farm operations is intended to support adoption in a sector where seasonal timings and operational workflows are tightly managed.

The first stage of the collaboration has already produced several candidate products derived from phytosterols—plant-based bioactive compounds that have shown potential to improve resilience and productivity in potato crops exposed to climate stress.

Further work will now focus on expanded field trials across a range of soils and growing environments in order to refine the product and validate performance under commercial farming conditions.

“Innovation will play a critical role in helping potato growers address the agronomic challenges posed by climate change and drive more sustainable potato production,” said Mark Waltham, CEO of Certis Belchim. “Co-developing a biostimulant specifically designed for potatoes reinforces our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions across our seed-to-store potato health portfolio.”

Jean-François Déchant, CEO of Elicit Plant, said the partnership reflects the company’s focus on crop-specific biological solutions. “Developing crop-specific bio-solutions is central to our strategy,” he said. “Partnering with Certis Belchim allows us to combine our phytosterol-based scientific expertise with the insights of one of Europe’s most influential potato specialists.”

The companies position the project as part of a broader effort to support climate-resilient potato production systems. With changing rainfall patterns, drought events and heat stress increasingly affecting European agriculture, growers are seeking tools that can maintain crop performance while supporting more resource-efficient farming practices.

The partnership aims to accelerate the path to market for the new bio-solution through a joint development model combining research, field validation and commercial expertise.