Eden Research product for vineyards approved in Italy

One of Eden Research's long-term projects came to fruition on Thursday, with the company announcing its product - 3AEY - had received authorisation in Italy, and would be released to the market by the company's local partner.

The AIM-traded firm providing natural microencapsulation technologies to the global agrochemicals, animal health and consumer products industries, said the product was for use in the prevention and treatment of botrytis in table and wine grapes.

3AEY would be sold in Italy by Eden partner Sipcam S.p.A., the company's board confirmed, under the brand name '3LOGY'.

"Italy has recently become the largest wine producing country in the world, and so to have 3LOGY registered and available for sale in this important market is clearly very good news for Eden, our partners and the grape growers in Italy," said chief executive officer Sean Smith.

Botrytis is a widespread fungal disease, the firm said, that causes grey mould on many fruits and vegetables, leading to the rapid loss of commercially valuable crops.

The company said the average losses from affected crops accounted for around 20% of the total harvest, costing producers between €10-100bn (£7.8-78bn) annually worldwide, depending on weather conditions.

Smith said 3LOGY had been very well received by customers throughout the southern EU zone since marketing trials began in 2015.

"The unique characteristics that 3LOGY has in terms of its safety and environmental profile, good efficacy and exemption from Maximum Residue Limits make it an interesting and useful product for growers to use," he explained.

The company had worked hard since signing the agreement with Sipcam in November 2014 to ensure they could meet the 2016 growing season, Smith said, and would be sold in the country following the issuance of a registration number by Italian authorities.

At 1525 GMT, shares in Eden Research were up 5.81% to 11.38p.