Welcome to iGrow News, Your Source for the World of Indoor Vertical Farming
"We Store CO2 From The Outside Air To Make Plants Grow Faster"
“Our ultimate goal is to make greenhouses independent of fossil fuels while improving their crop yield”, says Jarle. This ambitious goal is the main motivation behind their unique, yet a straightforward new product: an environmental climate system that provides plants inside of the greenhouse with outside CO2.
Bringing captured CO2 into the greenhouse with zeolites
“In short, we capture CO2 from the air outside and then release it inside the greenhouse. As our system includes the greenhouse to be a closed system, all the CO2 inside will increase plant growth. This new technology does not give any emissions to its surroundings while in use and the solution is 100% climate-neutral”, Jarle Skjæveland with GreenCap Solutions explains. The company recently launched their product, and they are working on several projects in Norway and abroad.
“Our ultimate goal is to make greenhouses independent of fossil fuels while improving their crop yield”, says Jarle. This ambitious goal is the main motivation behind their unique, yet straight forward new product: an environmental climate system that provides plants inside of the greenhouse with outside CO2. On top of that, it allows for the reuse of condensed water, which further reduces costs for growers.
GreenCap Solution’s technical team combines decades of energy in the oil and gas industry, which is now taken to the greenhouse industry. For the past four years, they have been working on the carbon-capturing technique. Last year, they started working with the first greenhouse company to apply the technique: Lauvsnes Gartneri, a tomato greenhouse in Finnøy, Norway. The second project they started this year is with a Norwegian cucumber grower.
Zeolites: a tried method
For the capturing of the CO2 molecules, the company uses zeolites, a porous mineral that can adsorb large quantities of gas. Zeolites occur naturally but are also produced industrially. “Using zeolites as carbon adsorbent is nothing new. It was already used in the 1960s for industrial applications. Our invention is effectively using the energy and storing the CO2 for greenhouse application, in combination with climate control within the greenhouse,” Jarle explains.
Inside the greenhouse, the CO2 is transported by a constant air flow. “With the greenhouse closed on a sunny day, the temperature might get too high. For that reason, we have a circulation system that shifts the air every 10 minutes. Air tubes underneath the plants produce a constant low-speed airflow. This way, the temperature inside can be a comfortable 24 C even in a hot climate,” Jarle adds.
Vertical farming in Saudi Arabia
This technique comes in handy as the company recently started a new project in Saudi Arabia. This time not with a greenhouse but with a vertical farm that grows eight layers of lettuce. “When we visited Saudi Arabia some months ago, we noticed that some people were skeptical as to our technology would work in a hot climate too. With this new project, we are proving that our technique works, not only for different crops in different growing systems but also in different climates. And the additional benefit is that there we can make better use of solar power as well, taking advantage of the natural resources available.”
In many European countries, growers generally have a combined heat power (CHP) that already provides additional CO2 to growers. But according to Jarle, the systems can be combined easily. “Our technique is twofold: either we replace the current CO2 source or we add it to the closed growth environment. Both work fine together, but with our system, growers can stop using fossil fuels completely while still giving that beneficial CO2 to their plants. Besides, many countries do not need the extra heat provided by the CHP, at least not year-round. In that case, working with a CHP is not cost-effective.”
Already within the horticultural industry, GreenCap’s environmental climate control system can have many different applications. But the company is already investigating other possible usages of their carbon adsorbent technique. “CO2 is used in other industries too, so we are investigating other expansion already, such as companies absorbing their CO2 emission. However, horticulture is such a vast and rapidly growing industry. Imagine this huge industry, that is so essential for the food production of the entire world, being totally emission-free. That is what we’re working for.”
A promotional video of GreenCap Solution's system can be watched here.
For more information:
GreenCap Solutions
www.greencap-solutions.com
Publication date: Fri 4 Jun 2021
Author: Jenneken Schouten
© HortiDaily.com
Polygreens Podcast Episode: 008 -CO2 GRO
CO2 from a gas tank and water from the facility source are plugged into the Aqueous CO2 Infusion System, which comes as an in-situ system or can be integrated into booms
CO2 from a gas tank and water from the facility source are plugged into the Aqueous CO2 Infusion System, which comes as an in-situ system or can be integrated into booms. The CO2 completely dissolves in the water creating a saturated aqueous CO2 solution.
The aqueous CO2 solution is targeted directly on to the plant's leaves by misting micro droplets that create an aqueous CO2 film on leaf's surface. This film isolates the leaf surface from the atmosphere and creates a diffusion gradient that favors the transport of CO2 into the leaf and other gasses out of the leaf.
The carbon is used by the plant for photosynthesis to grow and the oxygen is given off to the atmosphere.
Listen
Nick Greens
The Nick Greens Grow Team has participated in many changes since they started developing indoor controlled agricultural environments in 2010. Our goal is to expand the vertical farming industry by helping ag-entrepreneurs manage their businesses better, avoid common mistakes, and improve crop yields based on what we have observed and developed over the past decade.
YouTube
Can CO2 Help Grow More Food And Reduce Land Use?
Supplementing crops with CO2 is one method of increasing yield since CO2 is a basic input for photosynthesis. CO2 supplementation is done by increasing the level of CO2 in the air. CO2 Delivery Solutions is helping plants grow more in less land while increasing a grower's profitability without harm to people or the planet. For more information on how CO2 Delivery Solutions works, watch this video or visit co2delivery.ca
CO2GRO
October 9, 2019
As our population continues to grow at a rate of about 1% a year, or nearly 80 million more living people per year, food security is becoming a major concern. You may look at the 1% number and think, “well we only need to increase food production by 1% a year to keep up with population growth.” However, as you likely are aware, there are many on Earth who eat very little, not out of choice. According to the Food Aid Foundation one in seven people are underfed and undernourished. From this perspective, food production would need to increase by about 15% in these parts of the world in order to provide sufficient nutrition to these people and then increase by a further 1% per year in order to keep up with the net population growth. This means more land will be required to grow more food.
According to the USGS global cropland is approximately 4.62 billion acres. According to the site: “Croplands make up more than 80 percent of Moldova, San Marino and Hungary; between 70 and 80 percent of Denmark, Ukraine, Ireland and Bangladesh; and 60 to 70 percent of the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, Lithuania, Poland, Gaza Strip, Czech Republic, Italy and India. For comparison, the United States and China each have 18 percent croplands.” Globally, cropland makes up approximately 12.5% of the Earth’s land mass - Earth’s land mass is approximately 37 billion acres. India, the US, China and Russia account for one third of the global cropland with 1.62 billion acres.
There are over 415 million acres of cropland in the US which equates to approximately 1.25 acres of cropland required to make sufficient food per person - assuming the same 1.25 acres is used to grow food for the lifespan of a person living in the US (this figure does not factor imports or exports of crops). India and China on the other hand, two rapidly growing economies and populations, have only 0.35 acres of cropland per person.
Focusing on China and India as proxies for the developing world and the US as a proxy for the developed world, developing countries would require up to 3.5 times more crop land per person based on their populations to become on par with food production in the developed world. This would mean if every person in the world had the same food security as a citizen in the developed world, we would require about 9.6 billion acres or double the current cropland. That’s an increase from 12.5% of the Earth’s land mass to 26%, just to grow crops!
Yields have improved but there is room for improvement.
Crop yields have increased significantly over the past 30 to 40 years and continue to increase with better agricultural technologies, therefore requiring less and less cropland per person. However, the reality is the world will likely require doubling the amount of cropland use in order to adequately feed the world’s population with sufficient amounts of nutritious crops.
Supplementing crops with CO2 is one method of increasing yield since CO2 is a basic input for photosynthesis. CO2 supplementation is done by increasing the level of CO2 in the air. Indoor grow facilities can pump CO2 gas into the grow rooms to increase the amount of CO2 in the air from 400 parts per million (ppm) to 800-1600 ppm. This practice has been done for decades and has resulted in increased yields and faster growth of 30% on average.
However, indoor grow facilities are few and most crops are grown in greenhouses and outdoor farms. Greenhouses account for only 50 billion square feet globally (1.15 million acres) or 0.025% of total global cropland. 80% of greenhouses cannot gas CO2 in the facility since venting allows the CO2 gas to escape. Of course, outdoor farms cannot pump CO2 gas into the air either.
Imagine if the world’s four and a half billion acres of outdoor cropland could increase their yield by over 30% simply by adding CO2. We could theoretically save 30% of the additional cropland required over the coming decades to feed people. That’s approximately one and a half billion acres or 4% of the Earth’s land mass that could be kept untouched and natural.
How then can we supplement CO2 for plants grown in warm climate greenhouses and outdoor farms?
CO2 Gro Inc.'s patented CO2 Delivery Solutions enables growers in warm climate greenhouses and outdoor farms to supplement their plants with CO2, so growers everywhere can get more yield, bigger plants and faster growth - which means less land use to produce more food.
How is this done? CO2 Delivery Solutions' creates an aqueous CO2 solution that is applied to the plant's foliage. The plants easily absorb the CO2 in the solution within seconds. The plant can now use that added CO2 to grow bigger, faster and use less land to produce more food.
CO2 Delivery Solutions is helping plants grow more in less land while increasing a grower's profitability without harm to people or the planet. For more information on how CO2 Delivery Solutions works, watch this video or visit co2delivery.ca
CO2 Enrichment, Acclimation, And Efficiency In Hydroponic Growing
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an essential requirement for photosynthesis and can be somewhat overlooked by newer growers. Being odorless, invisible, and only a small fraction of our atmosphere, CO2 often doesn’t get the same attention as nutrients, lights, and other plant-growth factors
Lynette Morgan | August 23, 2019
Takeaway: While many commercial growers use carbon dioxide to boost crop quality, yield, and growth rates, Lynette Morgan explains how home hydroponic horticulturists can also take advantage of CO2 enrichment.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an essential requirement for photosynthesis and can be somewhat overlooked by newer growers. Being odorless, invisible, and only a small fraction of our atmosphere, CO2 often doesn’t get the same attention as nutrients, lights, and other plant-growth factors.
The use of CO2 enrichment to boost yields, quality, and growth rates under hydroponic production is, however, widely used in commercial greenhouse horticulture and has an even greater potential in enclosed growing spaces. While simply pumping in some additional CO2 may seem like a straightforward option, the use of this technology is a little more complex if its potential is to be maximized and problems minimized.
CO2 Enrichment
Ambient CO2 levels in air are a little more than 400 ppm (or 0.04 per cent by volume), however, plant tissue contains an average of 45 per cent carbon that comes entirely from CO2. By boosting CO2 levels surrounding the leaf surface, above ambient levels, the rate of photosynthesis increases up until the point where some other factor, such as the speed at which plant enzymes will work, is reached.
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Essentially, the transfer of CO2 from the surrounding air to the reaction centers in the leaf chloroplasts depends both on the concentration difference between the air and these sites, and the intervening biochemical resistance in various leaf tissues. This means that while CO2 enrichment will boost photosynthesis, there comes a point were further increases will not occur and plant damage becomes a possibility. Determining this optimal level of CO2 enrichment for a particular plant or stage of growth is where the application of CO2 needs some careful thought.
Carbon dioxide enrichment has become more popular in recent times with hydroponic growers using a range of low- and high-tech options to boost CO2 levels. The most common methods of generating CO2 include burning hydrocarbon fuels and the use of compressed, bottled CO2. Smaller growers with a very limited growing space may use dry ice (solid, very cold CO2) which releases CO2 as it “melts” under warm conditions.
Fermentation or the decomposition of organic matter (composting and fungi) are still effective but less accurate ways of boosting CO2 levels through natural processes. Whichever method is used to generate CO2, levels should be regularly monitored, either with a hand-held CO2 meter or as part of the environmental control system in the growing area.
Read also: The Benefits of Adding CO2 During the Cloning Stage
Enrichment levels
If CO2 enrichment is to be applied, then determining the correct level is as important with this gaseous element as it is with nutrient levels. The benefits and levels of CO2enrichment is crop dependent, but most plants respond well to levels in the range of 500–1,500ppm. Below 200ppm, CO2 begins to severely limit plant growth, but more than 2,000ppm of CO2 becomes toxic to many plants.
More than 4,000ppm is a risk to humans. An excess of CO2 will cause crop damage in the form of CO2 toxicity, which is often misdiagnosed as mineral deficiencies or disease symptoms. Mild CO2 toxicity can cause stunting of growth, or leaf-aging type symptoms, while excessive levels may cause leaf damage such as chlorosis (yellowing), necrosis (death of leaf tissue), curling and/or thickening of the leaves.
There is much debate over which level of enrichment is ideal for each crop, under various different growing conditions, however, the most economic use of CO2 is in enriching crops to above ambient levels, but not more than 1,200ppm. Most commercial growers enrich to within the range of 600-800ppm where an increase in growth and yields of between 20-30 per cent are common.
While CO2 enrichment is largely used on fruiting crops such as tomatoes, capsicum, and cucumber, it can benefit a wide range of plant species. Indoor gardens with ornamental, potted, and flowering plants also respond to CO2 enrichment with increased rates of growth and leaf area, increased rates of flowering, more lateral breaks, earlier flowering, greater flower number, reduced flower drop, and increased flower diameter as well as improved leaf color and reduced time to maturity. Carbon dioxide also assists with root development on cuttings and clones in many species and may be applied via enrichment of the air or through the use of carbonated mist.
CO2 Efficiency
To make the most of CO2 enrichment, other growth factors need to be considered and manipulated. Carbon dioxide enrichment will produce the best results in terms of plant growth, yield increases, and shortening the time to maturity where there is high light to power rapid levels of photosynthesis.
If light is insufficient or below the light saturation point for the crop, then boosted CO2levels cannot be fully utilized by the plants. Temperature also plays a role in the efficient use of CO2. Under conditions of high light and CO2 enrichment, temperatures can be run higher than they would normally, and this maximizes the effect of additional CO2.
Studies have shown that for tomato plants, a threefold level of CO2 enrichment will increase net photosynthesis by about 50 per cent in both dull and bright light, but if leaf temperature is also raised (to 86°F), the increase in net CO2 fixation can be as high as 100 per cent in bright light. This means that while boosting CO2 in an indoor hydroponic system will boost growth rates, consideration should be given at the same time to manipulation of the other environmental factors of light and temperature if the valuable CO2 is to be used with the highest degree of efficiency.
Another often overlooked factor is CO2 distribution around the plants. Simply releasing or generating CO2 for enrichment into the growing area is often not sufficient to get the maximum rate of photosynthesis unless this is directed and circulated over leaf surfaces. A stale boundary layer of moist air, depleted in CO2 due to photosynthesis, can form directly around the leaf surface and this needs frequent removal and replenishment.
Whatever source of CO2 generation is being used, it is vital that the enriched atmosphere is thoroughly mixed so the valuable CO2 is delivered to plant surfaces for uptake and assimilation. Small mixer fans can be used to gently circulate the air away from the source of CO2 generation and toward the crop.
To monitor this process, hand-held CO2 meters are useful to check levels in and around the canopy rather than just at the point of CO2 release. Keeping a check on CO2 levels inside a small growing area is vitally important, no matter what the source of CO2 used. It can be difficult to judge how much CO2 the plants are taking up and in tightly sealed growing environments, CO2 accumulation can occur and cause plant damage.
Read also: The Symbiotic Relationship Between CO2 and Ventilation
CO2 Acclimation
CO2 enrichment is undoubtedly a great growth-promoting tool for hydroponic growers, however, it has its limitations and risks.
Plants have the ability to adjust and adapt to increasing CO2 levels, so that over time, acclimation occurs. When CO2 enrichment is first introduced to a crop, there is a rapid increase in photosynthesis and growth, but as plant growth continues, the effect of the increased CO2 levels becomes less and less so that by the time the crop is completed, overall yields were not as high as the increase in early yield.
Numerous studies have reported this effect with plants grown continuously at high CO2 levels having a photosynthetic rate that tends to decrease with time. If a crop grown at elevated CO2 levels is suddenly given only ambient CO2, it will recover back to normal rates of photosynthesis within five days.
Some growers have attempted to prevent this acclimation of crops to high CO2 levels by only supplying CO2 intermittently, or avoiding the use of CO2 enrichment until a vital stage of development, such as flowering or fruit set, has been reached when the boost in photoassimilate is most valuable to yields. Studies have shown the problem of CO2 acclimation can be reduced or eliminated if the plant has strong “sinks” for the assimilate produced in the leaves.
These sinks for assimilate include rapidly developing tissues such as buds, flowers, and fruits. Plants with a low sink strength often end up with carbohydrate accumulating in the leaves under CO2 enrichment, which in turn triggers acclimation and a reduction in photosynthesis. Despite the issue of plant acclimation to high CO2levels limiting the overall potential boost to growth, CO2-enriched plants still produce photosynthetic rates higher than those grown at ambient CO2 levels.
Carbon dioxide enrichment is a worthwhile tool for indoor and greenhouse growers which is well proven in a wide range of crop species to increase growth rates and yields. However, as with most high-tech techniques, it requires monitoring, attention to detail, and careful consideration of the effect on biochemical processes. If CO2 is to be used at maximum efficiency, correct rates of application, adjustments to light and temperature, timing of enrichment, and consequences of CO2 acclimation all need consideration.
Written by Lynette Morgan
Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B. Hort. Tech. degree and a PhD in hydroponic greenhouse production from Massey University, New Zealand. Lynette is a partner with Suntec International Hydroponic Consultants and has authored several hydroponic technical books. Visit suntec.co.nz for more information. Full Bio
CO2 GRO Inc. Files For Two Further Patents To Strengthen Its Patent Portfolio Surrounding CO2 Delivery Solutions
The filings further secure GROW’s intellectual property around nutrient delivery technologies, especially in the case of outdoor value crops, and nutrient constituents delivered. GROW now has five corporate patent filings of which four were made YTD 2019
TORONTO, ON September 4, 2019 (Access Wire)
Toronto based CO2 GRO Inc. ("GROW") (TSX-V: GROW, OTCQB: BLONF, Frankfurt: 4021) is pleased to announce it is in the process of further strengthening its patent portfolio. GROW has filed two additional patent applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. The filings further secure GROW’s intellectual property around nutrient delivery technologies, especially in the case of outdoor value crops, and nutrient constituents delivered. GROW now has five corporate patent filings of which four were made YTD 2019.
Together these protect GROW’s unique nutrient delivery methodology which allows increased profitability to established growers, technological solutions to producers previously without nutrient delivery options, and minimizes the customers’ environmental footprint in the context of conventional nutrient delivery methodologies.
GROW’s CEO, John Archibald, commented “having a robust worldwide (PCT) patent portfolio can accrete significant value to our shareholders while protecting the company from would-be product technology copycats.”
About CO2 GRO Inc.
GROW's mission is to accelerate all indoor and outdoor value plant growth naturally, safely, and economically using its patented advanced CO2 Delivery Solutions technology. GROW’s global target plant markets are retail food at $8 trillion per year (Plunkett Mar 2017) and retail non-food at an estimated $1.2 trillion per year with retail tobacco at $760 billion (BA Tobacco estimate), floriculture at $100 billion by 2022 (MarketResearch.Biz estimate), legal cannabis at $52.5 billion per year by 2022 (Statista) and legal US cannabis and hemp CBD at $22B per year by 2022 (the Brightfield Group).
GROW's CO2 Delivery Solutions are commercially proven, scalable and easily adopted into existing irrigation systems. They work by dissolving CO2 gas into water for use across the entire plant leaf surface which is a semi permeable membrane. The dissolved CO2 molecules can then penetrate a leaf's surface area naturally, enhancing plant growth potential.
Foliar spraying of dissolved nutrients and chemicals on plant leaves has been used for over 60 years by numerous growers. To date, outdoor growers have had no way to enhance plant CO2 gas uptake for faster plant growth.
Indoor CO2 gassing has enhanced plant yields for over 60 years but 60% of the CO2 gas used is typically lost from ventilation. Current greenhouse CO2 gassing levels of up to 1500 PPM are not ideal for worker health and safety. GROW's safer CO2 Delivery Solutions can be used both indoors and outdoors with minimal dissolved CO2 gas lost and much greater CO2 plant availability resulting in higher plant yields than both CO2 gassing and no CO2 gassing plant yields.
Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on CO2GRO's expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information, please visit www.co2gro.ca or contact Sam Kanes, VP Communications at 416-315-7477.
CO2 GRO Inc. Is Pleased To Present An Interview With John Archibald, President And CEO Conducted At The Recent TSX Venture 50 Conference
John discusses the 2019 outlook and CO2 GRO's significant innovations in the agtech industry
Dear Shareholders, Stakeholders
And Interested Parties
CO2 GRO Inc. is pleased to present an interview with John Archibald, President and CEO conducted at the recent TSX Venture 50 Conference. John discusses the 2019 outlook and CO2 GRO's significant innovations in the agtech industry.
To view the interview please click here www.co2gro.ca/pages/investors.
For more information please contact Sam Kanes, VP Communications at 1-416-315-7477 or sam.kanes@co2gro.ca
©2019 CO2 GRO Inc. | Suite 5800 40 King Street W Box 1011 Toronto Ontario M5H 3S1
CO2 GRO Inc. Announces The Appointment of Rose Marie Gage To Its Board
TORONTO, ON – April 29, 2019 – Toronto based CO2 GRO Inc. (“GROW”) (TSX-V: GROW, OTCQB: BLONF, Frankfurt: 4021) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rose Marie Gage to its Board of Directors effective as of today subject to TSXV approval.
Rose was the CEO of Ag Energy Co-Operative Ltd. (www. agenergy.coop or “Ag Energy”) for nine years until her recent retirement. She is credited with strategically growing the Co-op with her team to its current level of 500 agriculture, agri-business and rural members of which over 200 are greenhouse owners.
She has advocated for progressive changes in the Energy Consumer Protection Act, the Ontario and Federal Carbon Programs, CHSOP and the Ontario Co-op Act and in other Agri-Food and Agri-Tech sectors.
She currently serves as:
Chair – Agri Technology Commercialization Centre,
Chair – Ontario Agri-Technologies Association,
Vice-Chair of the provincially appointed Agricultural Institute of Ontario
Director and Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee – University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation, and
Director Hadrian Inc.
She has also served as:
Vice–Chair, Women in Leadership Foundation,
Vice-Chair, Canadian Heritage Photography Foundation,
Chair – Guelph Energy Co-operative Inc.,
Treasurer and Director – FV Tel Co-operative Ltd., and
Director – Schneider Canada
Ms. Gage is a Chartered Director and has received the following honors: 2018 Outstanding Achievement in Governance Award (Directors’ College), Canadian Inspiring 50 2018 recipient (Canadian & Dutch Government) and the 2016 Diversity 50 (Canadian Board Diversity Counsel). She was also nominated for the Canadian Women’s Network (WXN’s) 2018 Top 100 Powerful Women.
Rose has attended Harvard Executive School and received her Lean-Six Sigma Quality Leader accreditation (General Electric). She is also a graduate of McMaster University with an Hons. Bach. Of Commerce. She is currently a member of the Directors’ College, Institute of Corporate Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors and the Women’s Executive Network.
John Archibald, CEO stated “Her deep relationships with greenhouse plant growers, agriculture industrial companies and Government agriculture organizations will be of great benefit to GROW’s Board, strengthening its Agri-Tech expertise and ability to successfully move GROW’s Strategy going forward.”
About CO2 GRO Inc.
GROW's mission is to accelerate all indoor and outdoor value plant growth naturally, safely, and economically using its patent pending CO2 Foliar Spray technology. GROW’s global target retail plant markets are food at $8 trillion per year (Plunkett Mar 2017), non-food at an estimated $1.2 trillion per year with retail tobacco at $760 billion (BA Tobacco 2017), floriculture at $100 billion by 2022 (MarketResearch.Biz estimate), legal cannabis at $52.5 billion per year by 2023 (Statista) and legal U.S. hemp CBD at $22B per year by 2022 (the Brightfield Group).
GROW's CO2 technologies are commercially proven, scalable and easily adopted into existing irrigation systems. They work by transferring CO2 gas into water and foliar spraying water across the entire plant leaf surface. The dissolved gas crosses the plant leaf’s cuticle and diffuses into the leaf’s tissues where the absorbed CO2 is used to make sugar to fuel plant metabolism. The process is similar to the way oxygen gas is transferred to human bloodstreams once oxygen enters human lungs.
Foliar spraying of water, dissolved nutrients and chemicals on plant leaves has been used for over 60 years by millions of indoor and outdoor growers. To date, outdoor growers have not had any way to enhance plant CO2 gas uptake for faster growth.
Indoor CO2 gassing has enhanced plant yields for over 60 years but 60% of the CO2 gas used is typically lost from ventilation. Current greenhouse CO2 gassing levels of up to 1500 PPM are also not ideal for worker health and safety. GROW’s safer infused CO2 Foliar Spray can be used by both indoor and outdoor plant growers with minimal dissolved CO2 gas lost and much greater CO2 plant bioavailability resulting in higher plant yields than both CO2 gassing and no gassing plant yields.
About Ag Energy Co-operative Ltd.
Ag Energy Co-operative Ltd. was founded by Ontario greenhouses in 1988. The Co-op is an independent, for profit, agriculturally focused co-op specializing in energy solutions for its membership. Its team of 15 staff members are focused on member and customer excellence. The Co-op creates approximately $50 million in revenue. The role of Ag Energy is to commercialize energy policy for the benefit of agriculture: producers, processors, agri-food, agri-tech and all; by minimizing costs and de-risking energy spend. Ag Energy currently has approximately 500 agricultural, agri-business and rural members; approximately 41% of its members are commercial greenhouse growers and 34% agri-processing. The broader reach of Ag Energy (its Members and their businesses) represents over 6,000 employees and in excess of $2 Billion CAD in revenues annually. The recycling of revenue is estimated to be 90% of members’ revenues back into the Ontario economy.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on CO2 GRO's expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information, please visit www.co2gro.ca or contact Sam Kanes, VP Communications and IR at 416-315-7477.
CO2 GRO Provides A Summary of its Participation in The GFIA Global Forum Conference
TORONTO, ON – April 10, 2019 – Toronto based CO2 GRO Inc. (“GROW”) (TSX-V: GROW, OTCQB: BLONF, Frankfurt: 4021) attendance at the GFIA Global Ag Tech Conference April 1-2 in Abu Dhabi was successful and productive. GFIA stated there were over 7000 delegates from 122 countries this year. This Middle East based Conference is the largest global showcase of Sustainable Agriculture Innovation.
GROW’s objectives in attending the conference were two fold.
To meet with potential Middle East and EU Agri Industrial Partners/Distributors which resulted in the following;
Aaron Archibald, COO, CO2 GRO Inc. attended the GFIA conference on behalf of GROW. Aaron’s presentation on CO2 Foliar Spray was very well received. GROW had a well-attended trade booth at the conference.
GROW will take the next step with a major EU greenhouse manufacturer concerning how to work together.
To meet potential Middle East, EU and other international customers the result of which is below;
Aaron identified numerous quality revenue opportunities at the Conference. In addition, Aaron visited major indoor greenhouses that had expressed interest in the CO2 Foliar Spray technology, reviewing initial installation requirements and terms. Currently, none of these facilities can use CO2 gas due to excessive heat that has to be vented. This leaves CO2 Foliar Spray as the only logical value added CO2 gas service that can be integrated into existing spray racks.
Aaron Archibald, COO, commented “we were fully booked with one on one meetings with potential Ag customers and clients. A very clear message from the conference is the great importance the Emirates government is placing on food security and sustainability, areas where we believe GROW can make a significant contribution. The GFIA Global Ag Tech Conference was tailor made to showcase our CO2 Foliar Spray technology”.
About CO2 GRO Inc.
GROW's mission is to accelerate all indoor and outdoor value plant growth naturally, safely, and economically using its patent pending CO2 Foliar Spray technology. GROW’s global target retail plant markets are food at $8 trillion per year (Plunkett Mar 2017), non-food at an estimated $1.2 trillion per year with retail tobacco at $760 billion (BA Tobacco 2017), floriculture at $100 billion by 2022 (MarketResearch.Biz estimate). Legal cannabis at $52.5 billion per year by 2023 (Statista) and legal US hemp CBD at $22B per year by 2022 (the Brightfield Group).
GROW's CO2 technologies are commercially proven, scalable and easily adopted into existing irrigation systems.
The CO2 technologies work by transferring CO2 gas into water and foliar spraying water across the entire plant leaf surface which is a semi permeable membrane. The dissolved concentrated CO2 then penetrates a leaf's surface area naturally like nicotine dissolves through human skin from a soluble nicotine patch.
Foliar spraying of water, dissolved nutrients and chemicals on plant leaves has been used for over 60 years by millions of indoor and outdoor growers. To date, outdoor growers have not had any way to enhance plant CO2 gas uptake for faster growth.
Indoor CO2 gassing has enhanced plant yields for over 60 years but 60% of the CO2 gas used is typically lost from ventilation. Current greenhouse CO2 gassing levels of up to 1500 PPM are not ideal for worker health and safety. GROW’s safer infused CO2 Foliar Spray can be used by both indoor and outdoor plant growers with minimal dissolved CO2 gas lost and much greater CO2 plant bioavailability resulting in higher plant yields than both CO2 gassing and no gassing plant yields.
Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on CO2 GRO's expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Vertical Farming Conference Takes Place on June 26, 2019 in Venlo, The Netherlands.
Vertical Farming Conference
Focus topics:
Available technologies
LED lighting, sensors ,AI - Plant condition issues like:
CO2, Nutrients, Irrigation, Climate, Lighting | Food safety / HACCP | Robotics | Improved resource-use efficiency | Sustainable Buildings (design, green roof, energy) | Smart Cities / Architecture / Urban Design | From traditional farmer to vertical farmer
The conference is part of the two-day global Agri Food Innovation Event that includes a two-day expo, four conferences - 3D Food Printing Conference, Healthy Nutrition Conference, Vertical Farming Conference and Smart Farming Conference and more activities such as lab tours, demo corners.
Register Here
CO2 GRO Announces Dramatic Pathogen Reduction Results Using CO2 Foliar Spray on Cannabis
TORONTO, ON – February 25, 2019
Toronto based CO2 GRO Inc. (“GROW”) (TSX-V: GROW, OTCQB: BLONF, Frankfurt: 4021) is pleased to provide further dramatic results from scientific pathogen experiments using CO2 Foliar Spray at two separate U.S. commercial cannabis greenhouses on cannabis sativa plants. These commercial growers financially supported this research.
All experiments were designed and measured consistent with GROW’s Pathogen experiments on peppers that were press released December 6, 2018.
Results:
E. coli – Another excellent result of a two order of magnitude reduction in E.coli bacterial growth (99%) in the CO2 Foliar Sprayed cannabis plant group versus the control cannabis plant group. All plants were exposed to the E.Coli bacteria. Results are consistent with GROW’s pepper results.
Powdery Mildew – All plants were covered with a known dried powdery mildew pathogen and grown for a further 21 days. Results were scored visually at these commercial sites. All six plants in the control group developed powdery mildew disease while none of the CO2 Foliar Sprayed cannabis plants developed powdery mildew.
Grower Implications – CO2 Foliar Spray is gaining traction with commercial agreements and more successful plant science and trial data. Accoding to Global Organics, the fastest growing acreage is organic, up 20% to 70M hectares Y-O-Y. CO2 Foliar Spray is proving to have some natural pathogen resistance that may lead to reduced need for chemical fungicides and pesticides and faster adoption by organic growers that cannot use them.
John Archibald, CEO, commented “we are delighted with the cannabis E. coli and powdery mildew results. Each trial adds to our collective knowledge.These U.S. cannabis results should have significant positive impact on our commercial endeavors.
About CO2 GRO Inc.
GROW's mission is to accelerate all indoor and outdoor value plant growth naturally, safely, and economically using its patent pending CO2 Foliar Spray technology. GROW’s global target retail plant markets are food at $8 trillion per year (Plunkett Mar 2017), non- food at an estimated $1.2 trillion per year with retail tobacco at $760 billion (BA Tobacco 2017), floriculture at $100 billion by 2022 (MarketResearch.Biz estimate). Legal cannabis at $52.5 billion per year by 2023 (Statista) and legal US hemp CBD at $22B per year by 2022 (the Brightfield Group).
GROW's CO2 technologies are commercially proven, scalable and easily adopted into existing irrigation systems.
The CO2 technologies work by transferring CO2 gas into water and foliar spraying water across the entire plant leaf surface which is a semi permeable membrane. The dissolved concentrated CO2 then penetrates a leaf's surface area naturally like nicotine dissolves through human skin from a soluble nicotine patch.
Foliar spraying of water, dissolved nutrients and chemicals on plant leaves has been used for over 60 years by millions of indoor and outdoor growers. To date, outdoor growers have not had any way to enhance plant CO2 gas uptake for faster growth.
Indoor CO2 gassing has enhanced plant yields for over 60 years but 60% of the CO2 gas used is typically lost from ventilation. Current greenhouse CO2 gassing levels of up to 1500 PPM are not ideal for worker health and safety. GROW's safer infused CO2 Foliar Spray can be used by both indoor and outdoor plant growers with minimal dissolved CO2 gas lost and much greater CO2 plant bioavailability resulting in higher plant yields than both CO2 gassing and no gassing plant yields.
Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on CO2GRO's expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information, please visit www.co2gro.ca
Or contact Sam Kanes, VP Business Development at 416-315-7477.
CO2 GRO Inc. Is Pleased To Present An Audio Interview Conducted By The OTC Markets Group With John Archibald
CO2 GRO Inc. is pleased to present an interview conducted by the OTC Markets Group with John Archibald, CEO. John presents an overview of CO2 GRO, an outlook for 2019 and the significance to the Company of the recently enacted US Farm Bill.
CO2 GRO Inc. | Suite 2400 120 Adelaide Street West Toronto, Ontario M5H 1T1
CO2 GRO Provides A 2018 Review And 2019 Outlook
TORONTO, ON – January 15, 2019 – Toronto based CO2 GRO Inc. (“GROW”) (TSX-V: GROW, OTCQB: BLONF, Frankfurt: 4021) is pleased to provide a 2018 Review and 2019 Outlook:
2018 Grow Trials and 2019 Commercial Revenue
During 2018, GROW conducted scientific and commercial grow trials using CO2 Foliar Spray on high value plants including cannabis, flowers, lettuce, micro greens and peppers. All trials led to major value improvements in plant size, quality and growth speed.
GROW’s accumulated positive data was sufficient for our first two customers to sign Commercial Agreements to install CO2 Foliar Spray equipment in mid-Q1, 2019. Data to August 2018 was filed to take a provisional PCT CO2 Foliar Spray patent to pending status.
Site technology leasing revenue is expected start in late Q1, 2019.
GROW’s 2019 pipeline of companies and plant growers includes US hemp growers that can now grow unlimited acres as the US decriminalized US hemp growth in 2019.
Targeted geographic areas for CO2 Foliar Spray commercial development are primarily the Southwest, Southeast and Midwest US and Eastern Canada. In 2020, potential international CO2 Foliar Spray trials and commercial installations are being considered in the EU, South America and Africa.
Year-End 2019 Revenue and EBITDA Expectations
GROW is forecasting a site license lease revenue run rate of C$10M/year entering 2020 with EBITDA margins of 50%.
Use of Q4 2018 Equity Financing
In October 2018, $1.427M was raised from the exercise of 7.135M of GROW’s $0.20 warrants. Proceeds are being used to:
1) Retire a $200,000 secured three-year note resulting in the Company having no debt outstanding.
2) Hire key US and Canadian personnel to accelerate GROW’s CO2 Foliar Spray technology leasing revenue growth and,
3) General corporate purposes.
Business Development and Scientific Staff Appointments
US Appointments
1) Michigan based US Midwest Representative with 35 years of flower and vegetable based grower and greenhouse experience.
2) Florida based US Southeast and parts of Southwest Reperesentative with extensive hemp and medical cannabis market development expertise.
3) California based Market Representative with a plant micronutrient background.
4) Minnesota based Dr. Matt Julius who is a Biology Professor at St. Cloud State University, Minnesota – he will start as acting Chief Science Officer from April to December 2019
Canadian Appointments
5) Ontario based Representative for Ontario, Quebec and New York State with extensive greenhouse experience.
6) Ontario based Manager of Project Engineering.
John Archibald, CEO, commented “2018 was a pivotal year as we completed GROW’s restructuring and reorganization, conducted successful scientific and commercial trials and signed our first two site license agreements. For 2019, we are now staffed to execute on our highest impact trials and provide CO2 Foliar Spray solutions to customers that want to proceed directly to installations as our first two customers did.“
About CO2 GRO Inc.
GROW's mission is to accelerate all indoor and outdoor value plant growth naturally, safely, and economically using its patent pending CO2 Foliar Spray technology. GROW’s global target retail plant markets are food at $8 trillion per year (Plunkett Mar 2017), non-food at an estimated $1.2 trillion per year with retail tobacco at $760 billion (BA Tobacco 2017), floriculture at $100 billion by 2022 (MarketResearch.Biz estimate). Legal cannabis at $52.5 billion per year by 2023 (Statista) and legal US hemp CBD at $22B per year by 2022 (the Brightfield Group).
GROW's CO2 technologies are commercially proven, scalable and easily adopted into existing irrigation systems.
The CO2 technologies work by transferring CO2 gas into water and foliar spraying water across the entire plant leaf surface which is a semi permeable membrane. The dissolved concentrated CO2 then penetrates a leaf's surface area naturally like nicotine dissolves through human skin from a soluble nicotine patch.
Foliar spraying of water, dissolved nutrients and chemicals on plant leaves has been used for over 60 years by millions of indoor and outdoor growers. To date, outdoor growers have not had any way to enhance plant CO2 gas uptake for faster growth.
Indoor CO2 gassing has enhanced plant yields for over 60 years but 60% of the CO2 gas used is typically lost from ventilation. Current greenhouse CO2 gassing levels of up to 1500 PPM are not ideal for worker health and safety. GROW's safer infused CO2 Foliar Spray can be used by both indoor and outdoor plant growers with minimal dissolved CO2 gas lost and much greater CO2 plant bioavailability resulting in higher plant yields than both CO2 gassing and no gassing plant yields.
Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on CO2GRO's expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information, please visit www.co2gro.ca or contact Sam Kanes, VP Business Development at 416-315-7477.
CO2 GRO Trials
Matthew Bohlsen
November 20, 2018
There’s a lot of activity coming out of Canada with the recent legalization of cannabis, which has been very good for CO2 GRO. Following this the desire to produce better and faster crops and flowers looks like the next challenge for CO2 GRO to expand into new markets beyond cannabis.
CO2 GRO Inc. (TSXV: GROW | OTCQB: BLONF) (“GROW”) is a Canadian company with CO2 technologies that are dedicated to increasing the growth of all indoor and outdoor value plants. The technology works by transferring CO2 gas into water and foliage spray for use across the entire plant leaf surface area, which is a semi permeable membrane. The dissolved concentrated CO2 then penetrates the leaf’s surface area naturally, like concentrated nicotine dissolves through human skin into the bloodstream from a nicotine patch.
Previously CO2 GRO has had good success in the cannabis market. The Company previously announced a 45% increased commercial cannabis bud value growth in trials. More recently the Company announced trials on flowers and peppers proving it’s not only cannabis that can benefit.
CO2 GRO trials result in quicker growing flowers
On October 24, 2018 CO2 GRO announced a series of positive flower grow trials using dissolved CO2 spray versus no CO2 gassing at a commercial Michigan flower greenhouse. The first two trials were done in a large commercial greenhouse that does not use CO2 gassing. The dissolved CO2 sprayed flowers were healthier, showing more branching and side shoots with bigger, thicker leaves, and a more advanced root systems that delivers more water and nutrients up to the leaves. Importantly these flowers were commercially ready to ship 7-10 days faster at 32-35 days versus the control flowers requiring 42 days. The third and fourth trials resulted in bushier plants without additional stretching, with deeper more vibrant flower coloring. Propagation times were consistently reduced by one-third to 14 days versus the control flowers requiring 21 days.
John Archibald, CEO of GROW, stated: “We are really pleased with these Michigan flower results as the global flower market is a $200 billion a year retail business. Flowers are more valuable than food on a greenhouse per square foot basis.”
CO2 GRO trials on pepper yield great results
CO2 GRO have also been conducting pepper grow trials, with dissolved CO2 sprayed plants receiving a 30% greater fruit yield and a 20% faster growing rate.
CEO John Archibald stated: “Until legal cannabis, the top two greenhouse crops in Canada were tomatoes at 38% and peppers at 33%. We can add plant yield and speed to maturity value to any greenhouse or indoor grow facility that does not use CO2 gas, or to the 95% of the world’s plant food grown outdoors, where it has been impossible to add CO2 until now.”
GROW’s global target plant markets are retail food at $8 trillion per year, retail non-food plants at an estimated $1 trillion per year, and legal retail cannabis that may reach $50 billion per year by 2022.
The world has been discussing global warming and food shortages for years now. With almost a permanent drought in many continental climate type countries, the global food basket is under pressure.
With a mission to accelerate the growth of all value plants safely, economically, and naturally; using their patented advanced carbon dioxide technologies, GROW now have proof in trials that their concentrated CO2 foliage spray could well be a savior to the world’s food shortages and of course don’t forget the great results from cannabis trials.
GROW expect to continuously strengthen their patent portfolio as experience optimizing CO2 technologies for plant yields continues to evolve. Keep an eye on this company as they have something the planet definitely needs.
CO2 GRO - Video Interview With Sam Kanes, VP Business Development
Sam Discusses the Recent Michigan Flower Trial Results and the Potential in High Value Plant Markets
Dear Shareholders, Stakeholders and Interested Parties
CO2 GRO Inc. is Pleased to Present an Investor Intel Interview Conducted with Sam Kanes, VP Business Development. Sam Discusses the Recent Michigan Flower Trial Results and the Potential in High Value Plant Markets
CO2 GRO Is Pleased To Announce The Exercise of 6,214,035 Warrants For Proceeds of $1.24 Million Dollars
TORONTO, ON – October 15, 2018 – Toronto based CO2 GRO Inc. (“GROW” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: GROW, OTCQB: BLONF) is pleased to announce that long term shareholders, holders of 6,214,035, $0.20 warrants with an expiry date of October 12, 2018, have exercised the warrants, raising proceeds of $1.24 million.
The use of proceeds will be employed to accelerate the Company’s business plan on its CO 2 Foliar Spray technology roll-out in California, Colorado, Florida and Michigan, to initiate planned trials and commercial installations and for general corporate purposes. GROW's current annual burn rate is approximately $300,000.00 following the engagement of a project engineer and a bioscientist. The Company believes it is on track to realize first revenues in Q4 2018.
John Archibald, CEO of GROW commented "We are very pleased with the exercise by long term shareholders of warrants generating proceeds of over $1.2 million for GROW. The vision of the long term shareholders is aligned with those of senior management who own approximately 30% of the shares outstanding. We feel it is endorsement of our CO2 Foliar Spray technology and its global potential. The use of proceeds will be employed to advance the Company’s business plan, rolling out trials and commercial installations in high value markets in the United States and Canada, all activities we believe will accrete to long term shareholder value.”
Capitalization Table Post Warrant Exercise
After the exercise of the above-noted warrants, the Company has the following securities outstanding:
About CO2 GRO Inc.
GROW's mission is to accelerate all indoor and outdoor value plant growth naturally, safely, and economically using its patented advanced CO2 foliar technologies. GROW’s global target plant markets are retail food at $8 trillion per year (Plunkett Mar 2017), retail non-food plants at an estimated $1 trillion per year and legal retail cannabis that may reach $50 billion per year by 2022 (Bay St Analyst estimates).
GROW's CO2 technologies are commercially proven, scalable and easily adopted into existing irrigation systems. GROW's proven crop yield enhancements and revenue model are compelling for growers and Agri-industrial partners.
GROW's sole focus is working with its plant grower and Agri-industrial partners in proving and adopting its CO2 technologies for specific growers’ plant yield needs.
The CO2 technologies work by transferring CO2 gas into water and foliar spraying across the entire plant leaf surface area, which is a semi permeable membrane. The dissolved concentrated CO2 then penetrates a leaf's surface area naturally like nicotine naturally dissolves through human skin from a nicotine patch.
Foliar spraying natural nutrients and chemicals on plant leaves has been used for over 60 years by millions of indoor and outdoor plant growers. To date, outdoor growers have not had any way to enhance plant CO2 gas uptake for faster growth.
Indoor use of CO2 gassing has enhanced plant yields for over 60 years. However, over 50% of the CO2 gas is typically lost through ventilation. Current greenhouse CO2 gassing levels of up to 1500 PPM are also not ideal for worker health and safety. GROW's safer dissolved CO2 foliar spray can be used by indoor and outdoor plant growers with minimal CO2 gas lost.
Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on CO2GRO's expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information, please visit www.co2gro.ca or contact Sam Kanes, VP Business Development at 416-315-7477.
CO2 GRO Is Pleased To Announce The Appointment of Dr. Matt Julius as Acting Chief Science Officer Effective January 2019
TORONTO, ON – October 10, 2018 – Toronto based CO2 GRO Inc. (“GROW” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: GROW, OTCQB: BLONF) is pleased to announce that Dr. Matt Julius, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, St. Cloud State University, has agreed to take a nine-month sabbatical from his Professorship to work exclusively with GROW as Acting Chief Science Officer starting in January 2019. Dr. Julius’ appointment is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.
Recently Dr. Julius has overseen the CO2 GRO Foliar Spray trials and plant physiology experiments conducted on lettuce and peppers at St. Cloud State University, which saw significant improvements in CO2 conductance and demonstrated that CO2 conductance on plant leaf top surfaces was almost as effective as the bottom leaf surface, as well as dramatic (4x) gains in chlorophyll A growth. This has significant benefits to all agriculture producers, both indoors and outdoors.
Dr. Julius obtained his Pd.D., from the University of Michigan in 2000 and from 2000 has been a Professor of Biology at St. Cloud State University. Dr. Julius has authored and co-authored numerous papers with manuscripts appearing in many phycology focused publications along with non-algae based journals including Aquatic Toxicology and the Journal of Zoology. He was/is also an associate editor for Phycological Research and an associate editor for Diatom Monographs.
John Archibald, CEO of GROW stated "We are delighted to have Matt devote his entire sabbatical to focus exclusively on our North American client plant growers and agri-industrial partner relationships, advancing the commercial roll out of the CO2 Foliar Spray technology. Building our team of professionals, is another key piece of our plan and effort to accomplishing our paramount goal; accreting value to our shareholders.”
About CO2 GRO Inc.
GROW's mission is to accelerate all indoor and outdoor value plant growth naturally, safely, and economically using its patented advanced CO2 foliar technologies. GROW’s global target plant markets are retail food at $8 trillion per year (Plunkett Mar 2017), retail non-food plants at an estimated $1 trillion per year and legal retail cannabis that may reach $50 billion per year by 2022 (Bay St Analyst estimates).
GROW's CO2 technologies are commercially proven, scalable and easily adopted into existing irrigation systems. GROW's proven crop yield enhancements and revenue model are compelling for growers and Agri-industrial partners.
GROW's sole focus is working with its plant grower and Agri-industrial partners in proving and adopting its CO2 technologies for specific growers’ plant yield needs.
The CO2 technologies work by transferring CO2 gas into water and foliar spraying across the entire plant leaf surface area, which is a semi permeable membrane. The dissolved concentrated CO2 then penetrates a leaf's surface area naturally like nicotine naturally dissolves through human skin from a nicotine patch.
Foliar spraying natural nutrients and chemicals on plant leaves has been used for over 60 years by millions of indoor and outdoor plant growers. To date, outdoor growers have not had any way to enhance plant CO2 gas uptake for faster growth.
Indoor use of CO2 gassing has enhanced plant yields for over 60 years. However, over 50% of the CO2 gas is typically lost through ventilation. Current greenhouse CO2 gassing levels of up to 1500 PPM are also not ideal for worker health and safety. GROW's safer dissolved CO2 foliar spray can be used by indoor and outdoor plant growers with minimal CO2 gas lost.
Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on CO2GRO's expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information, please visit www.co2gro.ca or contact Sam Kanes, VP Business Development at 416-315-7477.
"Economic Benefits With CO2 Foliar Spray Integrated Into Irrigation Booms"
CO2 GRO announces additional scientific evidence of superior plant leaf surface CO2 conductance results using dissolved CO2 foliar spray versus CO2 gassing. Dr. Matt Julius of St. Cloud State University has proven that dissolved CO2 conductance on the top surface of a lettuce leaf is essentially the same as the proven 800% plus dissolved CO2 conductance on the bottom surface of a lettuce leaf relative to CO2 gassing.
The importance of this scientific discovery to lettuce and other high value greenhouse growers is twofold; one, CO2 Foliar Spray delivered to the top as well as the bottom of a lettuce leaf is more effective in stimulating faster plant growth and plant size/mass than CO2 gassing and two, proves why GROW’s CO2 Foliar Spray technology integrated into advanced irrigation boom trials are showing sharply faster and larger plant growth.
This SCSU discovery confirms GROW’s technology potential using existing commercial irrigation booms for accelerating plant growth by spraying dissolved CO2 on the tops of plant leaves as effectively as the bottom of the leaves. Two large ongoing CO2 foliar spray trials use onsite commercial irrigation booms for micro greens in Ontario and flowers in Michigan.
John Archibald, CEO noted “This additional SCSU discovery and success integrating our CO2 technology into irrigation spray booms provides further evidence of the commercial potential of our technology. Our revenue generation model is long term site technology licenses and lease of our integration equipment in both indoor and outdoor boom spray systems.”
For more information:
St. Cloud University Measures Eight-Fold Increase in CO2 Transfer To Plants Using CO2 GRO’s CO2 Foliar Spray Technology
TORONTO, ON – July 9, 2018 – CO2 GRO Inc. (“GROW” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: GROW) is pleased to announce further scientific proof validating its dissolved CO2 foliar spray technology accelerating plant growth. The second set of scientific trial results at St Cloud State University ("St. Cloud") measured over an eight-fold efficiency increase in the conductance (transfer availability) of CO2 from the dissolved CO2 enriched water sprayed on Romaine lettuce leaves over both unenriched water spray and no spray control plant treatments.
Conductance in plant leaf stomata (pores) is an estimate of the rate of CO2 gas entering and/or water vapor exiting a plant leaf. This further evidence was measured in three separate experiments using an SC-1 leaf porometer. With a series of previously announced scientific trials showing a fourfold sustained increase in Romaine leaf chlorophyll, GROW now has scientific proof why its dissolved CO2 Foliar Spray works better than indoor growers that gas with CO2 and outdoor growers that have no alternative to add CO2 outdoors to their plants.
According to Tridge Intelligence, the worldwide lettuce market of 26.8M tonnes/y is worth $30B/y wholesale with the US producing 15.2% or 4M tonnes/y, mostly in California. GROW believes that St Cloud's scientific CO2 gas transfer and chlorophyll experiments are confirming the potential of 1-2 more lettuce crops/year in California or $1-2B/y more wholesale California lettuce revenue with less water use per unit of lettuce yield.
St. Cloud's second plant science report for GROW excerpts: "This data continues to be encouraging and consistent with the hypothesis of significant plant growth enhancement with CO2 delivered via foliar spray" and that "NO significant difference existed between unenriched foliar spray and no spray plant treatments, strongly suggesting that CO2 availability was the factor increasing both chlorophyll A and CO2 gas conductance"
St Cloud State is now measuring: 1) CO2 foliar spraying plants versus gassing a control plant group at 1200 PPM, 2) a variety of bug, mould and mildew experiments to measure whether CO2 foliar spray has positive plant resistance impacts reducing the needs of herbicides, insecticides, pesticides and fungicides, 3) improved leaf stomata water vapor efficiency using dissolved CO2 reducing water needs per unit of plant yield and 4) completing ongoing grow trials started from lettuce and pepper seeds.
All patentable results from scientific discoveries at St Cloud are 100%-owned by GROW.
About CO2 GRO (GROW.TSXV) or "GROW"
GROW's mission is to accelerate all indoor and outdoor value plant growth naturally, safely, and economically using its patented advanced CO2 foliar technologies. GROW's global target plant markets are retail food at $8 trillion per year (Plunkett Mar 2017), retail non-food plants at an estimated $1 trillion per year and legal retail cannabis that may reach $50 billion per year by 2022 (Bay St Analyst estimates). GROW's sole focus is working with its plant grower and Agri-industrial partners in proving and adopting its CO2 technologies for specific growers’ plant yield needs.
The CO2 technologies work by transferring CO2 gas into water and foliar spraying across
the entire plant leaf surface area, which is a semi permeable membrane. The dissolved concentrated CO2 then penetrates a leaf's surface area naturally like nicotine naturally dissolves through human skin from a nicotine patch.
Foliar spraying natural nutrients and chemicals on plant leaves has been used for over 60 years by millions of indoor and outdoor plant growers. To date, outdoor growers have not had any way to enhance plant CO2-gas uptake for faster growth.
Indoor use of CO2 gassing has enhanced plant yields for over 60 years. However, over 50% of the CO2 gas is typically lost through ventilation. Current greenhouse CO2 gassing levels of up to 1500 PPM are also not ideal for worker health and safety. GROW's safer dissolved CO2 foliar spray can be used by indoor and outdoor plant growers with minimal CO2 gas lost.
GROW's CO2 technologies are commercially proven, scalable and easily adopted into existing irrigation systems. GROW's proven crop yield enhancements and revenue model is compelling for growers and Agri-industrial partners.
Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on GROW's expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Scientific Proof of CO2 GRO's Dissolved CO2 Foliar Spray Plant Benefits On Lettuce
Scientific Proof of CO2 GRO's Dissolved CO2 Foliar Spray Plant Benefits On Lettuce
TORONTO, ON – June 20, 2018 – Toronto based CO2 GRO Inc. (“GROW” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: GROW) is pleased to announce more scientific proof validating its dissolved CO2 foliar spray technology on lettuce.
The first trials at St Cloud State University in Minnesota ("St. Cloud") measured a fourfold sustained increase of chlorophyll concentration in Romaine lettuce leaves with dissolved CO2 foliar spray pulsed in 15-minute intervals for four hours. More chlorophyll lets plants grow faster and larger.
According to Tridge Intelligence, the worldwide lettuce market is 26.8M tonnes/y with the US producing 15.2% or 4M tonnes/y.
Over 90% of US lettuce grown is in California.
At the current $1.17/kg global wholesale lettuce price, the global wholesale lettuce market is worth $30B/y.
GROW believes that these initial chlorophyll trials with further replication of previous lettuce grow trials using its CO2 foliar spray technology will confirm the potential of 1-2 more lettuce crops/year in California or $1-2B/y more wholesale California lettuce revenue with less water use per unit of lettuce yield.
St. Cloud's first weekly plant science report states " Notable in these initial experiments is the rapidity of physiological response seen in CO2 exposed plants. This data is encouraging and consistent with the hypothesis of significant plant growth enhancement with CO2 delivered via foliar spray:"
In April 2018, GROW signed an ongoing Collaboration Agreement with St Cloud for scientific plant cultivation research services. Regular scientific documentation of CO2 foliar spray impacts on plant leaf stomata and now started grow trials in lettuce and peppers will be ongoing.
The primary objective of the started St. Cloud Romaine lettuce trial is to duplicate the excellent 100% incremental biomass results from an earlier lettuce trial conducted by the University of Guelph. That dissolved CO2 foliar spray lettuce biomass result was measured against lettuce grown with 800 PPM of CO2 gassing.
All patentable results from scientific discoveries at St Cloud will be 100% owned by GROW.
About CO2GRO (GROW.TSXV) or "GROW"
GROW's mission is to accelerate all indoor and outdoor value plant growth naturally, safely, and economically using its patented advanced CO2 foliar technologies. CO2 GRO's global target plant markets are retail food at $8 trillion per year (Plunkett Mar 2017), retail non-food plants at an estimated $1 trillion per year and legal retail cannabis that may reach $50 billion per year by 2022 (Bay St Analyst estimates). GROW's sole focus is working with its plant grower and Agri-industrial partners in proving and adopting its CO2 technologies for specific growers’ plant yield needs.
The CO2 technologies work by transferring CO2 gas into water and foliar spraying across the entire plant leaf surface area, which is a semi-permeable membrane. The dissolved concentrated CO2 then penetrates a leaf's surface area naturally like nicotine naturally dissolves through human skin from a nicotine patch.
Foliar spraying natural nutrients and chemicals on plant leaves have been used for over 60 years by millions of indoor and outdoor plant growers. To date, outdoor growers have not had any way to enhance plant CO2 gas uptake for faster growth.
Indoor use of CO2 gassing has enhanced plant yields for over 60 years. However, over 50% of the CO2 gas is typically lost through ventilation. Current greenhouse CO2 gassing levels of up to 1500 PPM are also not ideal for worker health and safety. GROW's safer dissolved CO2 foliar spray can be used by indoor and outdoor plant growers with minimal CO2 gas lost.
GROW's CO2 technologies are commercially proven, scalable and easily adapted into existing irrigation systems. GROW's proven crop yield enhancements and revenue model is compelling for growers and Agri-industrial partners.
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