BIOBOOST HEMP

Biotechnology company specializing in the research and utilization of microorganisms and plants for applications in natural cosmetics, dietary supplements, and agriculture. Its activities include isolating new production strains of microorganisms, plant stem cells, and medicinal herbs and mushrooms, as well as developing methods for their biotechnological production. The company also focuses on the extraction and separation of bioactive substances. It possesses a wide range of original, especially extremophilic, production strains of microalgae and bacteria. These strains have been isolated during expeditions to Antarctica and from regional agro-ecosystems.   ​ EcoFuel Laboratories has participated in several research projects, including the prestigious BIOCIRTECH National Competence Centre, focusing on the cultivation of cannabis and hemp and contributed to research and the formulation of natural plant stimulants, antifungal preparations, and soil additives designed for hemp and cannabis cultivation. ​ In this project, EcoFuel contributes Endostim B, a prototype plant inoculation product based on carefully selected endophytic (tissue-colonising) symbiotic bacteria that naturally live inside plant tissues and support plant performance. The strains were isolated from local agrosystems and screened for multiple traits relevant to sustainable production, including nitrogen fixation potential, phosphorus solubilisation, antioxidant activity, and phytohormone production, as well as tolerance to selected contaminants and the ability to degrade them. Notably, Endostim B has demonstrated growth-promoting effects in poplar saplings cultivated on contaminated industrial soils, indicating potential relevance for soil restoration contexts. Building on these results, the project will test whether Endostim B can improve the feasibility and performance of hemp cultivation on acidic, marginal soils and contribute to better soil quality, with potential future application for hemp producers and other farmers working on degraded land.

Albitech is a dynamically developing Hungarian enterprise founded in 2007, focused on microalgae research and the development of microalgae-based products for agriculture and related applications. Because microalgae are well suited to large-scale biomass production, they offer strong potential for innovation in biotechnology. Albitech’s goal is to strengthen a dedicated branch of plant biotechnology in Hungary by screening new algal strains and cultivating them under controlled, industrial-scale conditions to produce bioactive compounds for agricultural use. Within the project, Albitech (HU) contributes proven innovation in algae-based biostimulants and soil inoculants, together with robust plant scoring (bonitation) methodologies that enable consistent evaluation of crop performance and treatment effects. Algafix, developed by Albitech, is a microalgae-based foliar fertilizer that supports crop growth through naturally produced plant growth regulators (auxin-, cytokinin- and gibberellin-like activity), together with vitamins and essential trace elements. Selected freshwater algae strains produce and excrete these compounds at high concentrations under optimized cultivation. Applied to leaves, Algafix can enhance plant development, support germination and increase chlorophyll content, contributing to higher biomass and yield. In a 17-hectare sunflower field trial, treated plots showed more advanced development, larger sunflower heads and an average yield increase of 24.9% versus untreated controls, alongside a higher observed presence of pollinating insects. AlgaTer is an algae-based microbiological soil inoculant designed to restore and improve degraded soils. It supports soil structure by binding particles through algal extracellular polymers (EPS), increasing water-holding capacity, and forming biological soil crusts (BSC) that protect the soil surface from dehydration and erosion. AlgaTer also contributes to nutrient enrichment (including nitrogen and organic matter inputs) and delivers phytohormone-related activity that can support plant performance and stress tolerance. Tests indicate robustness across multiple soil types and a wide pH range. The product also contains brassinosteroids, supporting its role in drought resilience and soil restoration.

KannaLab is a research initiative in Eastern Slovakia focused on sustainable industrial hemp cultivation and fibre processing. Through collaboration with the Textile Centre in Košice, we map and test practical hemp processing pathways and applications. We believe short value chains and higher value crops like hemp can offer a realistic, locally anchored model for farmers and rural regions. The family farm behind KannaLab returned to cultivating its fields after a long period of inactivity, which revealed typical challenges of neglected land: overly acidic soil, weakened structure, and reduced biological activity. Our priority is to restore soil health through practical ecological approaches rather than chemically intensive fixes, building resilience to drought and nutrient fluctuations while improving long-term productivity. Within this pilot, KannaLab dedicates 1 hectare to a monitored hemp field trial. The plot was ploughed in autumn to create a stable baseline for spring work, and soil samples were sent to Albitech (HU) in late August for preliminary assessment linked to AlgaTer. The field is divided into four equal sections: three receive one biological product each (Algafix, AlgaTer, Endostim B), and the fourth serves as an untreated control. Across the season we track establishment and growth (emergence, density, height, stem traits, biomass and visible stress), while EcoFuel (CZ) supports laboratory analysis of selected plant compounds. A joint mid-season visit and standardized harvest sampling help ensure comparable results. The final output will be a clear, replicable package: site context, trial design, results, and a step-by-step methodology that farmers can adapt to similar acidic, marginal soils.