Partnership aims to commercialise a sprayable pheromone for large scale maize protection

In early July 2024 Lithos Crop Protect GmbH, an Austrian company supported by the European Innovation Council Accelerator, and Syngenta Biologicals announced a distribution agreement for a sprayable mating disruption formulation targeting the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. The deal pairs Lithos's patented lithos micro dispenser technology with pherolit®-d, described by the partners as the naturally derived female pheromone that confuses male moths and interrupts mating in maize fields.

Who the partners are and what they bring

Syngenta Biologicals is positioned as a global leader in agricultural biologicals with experience in product development, regulatory navigation and commercial distribution. Lithos is a small Austrian innovator that has developed a natural mineral carrier and a sprayable pheromone formulation under the Micro Dispensers project funded in part by the EIC Accelerator. Lithos says its approach is designed for large scale use and compatibility with conventional spray equipment.

Why the western corn rootworm matters in Europe

The western corn rootworm is considered one of the most damaging pests of maize. Larvae feed on maize roots which can stunt growth, reduce nutrient uptake and cause plants to lodge under wind or rain. Economic losses can be substantial in regions with monoculture maize or continuous maize cropping. The pest arrived from North America and has been expanding its range in Europe since the 1990s. Its spread has been assisted by climate change and by management practices that favour continuous maize production.

Control options have become more constrained. There are documented cases of insecticide resistance and in other contexts of reduced efficacy of genetically modified Bt maize. Those developments have increased interest in integrated pest management approaches that reduce reliance on chemical insecticides and that use species specific tools.

How mating disruption works and why a sprayable format matters

The mineral carrier and release profile

Lithos uses clinoptilolite, a natural zeolite mineral, as its carrier. Clinoptilolite has a porous structure that can adsorb organic molecules and gradually release them. This adsorption and desorption behaviour underpins the slow release claimed by Lithos. The company says the mineral is processed to optimise pheromone binding and release, and that the final product can be applied through standard spraying equipment.

Funding, credibility and the role of the EIC Accelerator

Lithos is an EIC Accelerator beneficiary. The EIC funding helped the company bridge capital requirements prior to market entry and provided external validation that Lithos highlights when negotiating with larger partners. Founder and CEO Dr. Franz Reitbauer said the funding contributed to credibility and that partnerships with market players like Syngenta are key to commercial success.

Next steps, testing and regulatory pathways

Lithos and Syngenta say they are moving to a new phase of collaboration focused on optimising the product features and benefits and on rigorous assessment of safety and efficacy. That will include field trials at scale and studies required for approvals and registration in different EU member states.

Regulatory pathways can be complex. Pheromone products may be regulated differently across countries and may require pesticide or plant protection product approvals depending on national rules and the European legal framework. For biologicals and semiochemicals, dossiers typically need to demonstrate human and environmental safety, consistency of manufacturing, and sufficient efficacy under defined label conditions. Achieving registration across multiple member states is often time consuming and requires substantial data and regulatory expertise, which is a capability larger distributors can provide.

Risks, uncertainties and practical considerations

The partners present a promising technical approach but important unknowns remain. Key questions include how effective the sprayable pheromone will be under diverse field conditions, how long the effect will last through the season, costs compared to existing tools, and how it integrates into established integrated pest management programmes. There is also the potential for behavioural adaptation in pest populations over many generations. Non target ecological effects are expected to be lower than with broad spectrum insecticides but must still be formally evaluated.

Commercial success will depend on competitive pricing, robust supply chains for the mineral carrier and pheromone, farmer awareness and extension services, and clear regulatory approvals. Syngenta Biologicals brings distribution scale and regulatory experience which can lower some deployment barriers but does not eliminate the need for independent efficacy data and for demonstration of cost effectiveness to growers.

What this means for EU agriculture and innovation policy

The announcement is an example of how public innovation funding can de risk early stage technologies and attract private sector partners. The EIC Accelerator aims to bridge the gap between lab innovation and market adoption. If the approach proves effective at scale and gains registration, it could become a useful element in European integrated pest management strategies and in efforts to reduce chemical insecticide use. Policymakers and practitioners will watch for independent trial results and for the extent to which the technology can be deployed across the EU given varying pest pressure and regulatory regimes.

Caveats and transparency

The public announcements from both parties present their own perspectives and priorities. Independent peer reviewed data and multi site field trials will be necessary to confirm efficacy and to quantify economic benefits. Lithos includes standard disclaimers that information is for knowledge sharing and that approvals and authorised uses will vary by country. Any commercial sale would be subject to local registrations and product labels.

Bottom line

The partnership is a credible step toward commercialising a sprayable mating disruption tool for a key maize pest in Europe. The approach has technical merit and addresses clear market need. Success will depend on rigorous field evidence, regulatory approvals across jurisdictions, cost competitiveness, and effective integration into integrated pest management. Public funding from the EIC has helped de risk early stages and attract a major industry partner but it does not eliminate the usual scientific and market hurdles ahead.