A Turkish R&D company, established in 2018 in Technopark of Tekirdag
Namık Kemal University, is a company involved in the
research and development activities to promote plant
protection and biocidal products, post-harvest food
processing and storage technologies.
The company has developed a novel and natural
diatomaceous earth formulation in micronized form. It is
composed by the mixtures of three freshwater diatomaceous
earths with different diatom structures (pore and shape) and
contains natural amorphous silica (SiO2). This formulation
which has a high repellent and toxic effects on external
parasites (mites, ticks, lice, fleas etc.) in pet and livestock
animals and can be used as a dust or sprayed as a wettable
powder for the control of external parasites (mites, ticks, lice,
fleas etc.) in pet and livestock animals. It provides long-term
protection of pet and livestock animals against external
parasites (mites, ticks, lice, fleas etc.).
Newly developed diatomaceous earth formulation is non-
toxic to mammals (rat oral LD50>5000 mg/kg of body weight),
leave no toxic residues on the products. It is also used as food
or feed additives since it is classified in the category of GRAS
(Generally Recognized As Safe) according to the US EPA. It has
no chemical mechanism of action on insects and kills the
insects and mites physically. Micronize diatomaceous earth
dust adheres to the insect and mite body and damages the
protective waxy layer of the insect cuticle by sorption, and to
a lesser degree by abrasion. The result is loss of water from
insect and mite body resulting in death. It is also proven to
repel the insects and mites.
Newly developed diatomaceous earth formulation consists of
82.2% amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO2) and its median
particle diameter (d (0.5)) is 14.088 µm. Its average loose and
tapped bulk density is 223.9 and 294.2 g/L, respectively.
When analyzing scanning electron microscope (SEM) images
of Turkish Diatomaceous Earth formulation, it consists of a
large number of cylindrical- and ellipse-shape diatom
skeletons.
The company wants to expand internationally and to enter
new markets with the help of foreign partners. The company
believes that the product will address the European market
better and rely on its success. The company is looking for
representatives/distributors, commercial agents, dealers
active under distribution services agreements or commercial
agency agreements, to expand its products to European
countries as a first step. The envisaged partners should have
an own sales force and should be well established in biocidal and veterinary sector in its country.
Advantages & innovations
Turkish newly developed diatomaceous earth formulation has several
following advantages comparing to conventional chemical
insecticides and acaricides and presents following
innovations,
- Newly developed diatomaceous earth formulation can form
a suspension in water and can be sprayed as a wettable
powder to all surfaces where external parasites cause
problems,
- It is non-toxic to mammals and animals,
- It has a high repellent and toxic effects on external parasites
(mites, ticks, lice, fleas etc.) on pet and livestock animals,
- It provides long-term protection of pet and livestock animals
against external parasites (mites, ticks, lice, fleas etc.)
- It can also be used as an animal feed additive,
- It has a different non-chemical mechanism of action on
insects and mites. Insect and mite deaths occur physically
Stage of development
Already on the market
Partner sought
The company seeks distributors, dealers and commercial
agents mainly in biocidal and veterinary sector under
distribution services agreement or commercial agency
agreement in order to increase its market share abroad.
The main capability the company wants from the partner is to
distribute the product in European countries or, if
appropriate, to market and advertise the product. Points to
be distributed should also be specialized shops in the field of
biocidal and veterinary products.