b'Taking Microplastics Outof the EquationIncotec is working to address the growing concern with plastic, one seed coating at a time.Alex MartinWHAT DO YOUthink of when you hear the termAs an example, van der Heiden uses Caesar salad. plastic? Most people concerned with the environ- Its from all over the world, but its an American ment immediately jump to plastic bags and plasticstaple, he says. That sort of industry is important. Microplastics straws in the ocean harming the ecosystem. Especially with Californias upcoming ambitioushave been But, did you know theres such a thing as a micro- sustainability goals by 2030, van der Heiden says let- reported in U.S. plastic, and occasionally, they can be found in seedtuce seemed like the obvious place to start addressingsewage sludge as early as coatings? microplastics. However, California isnt the only area According to the National Ocean Service, micro- targeting microplastics in the future.1998.plastics are small pieces of plastic less than fiveWe see a global trend that starts and will flow over millimeters long which can be harmful to differentthe rest of the world, he says. The footprint were ecosystems.creating is always under discussion. Take Europe, inResearchers In seed coatings, microplastics come into play2018, when we lost plenty of agrochemicals that weestimated through the binder that keeps the coating and treat- cant use anymore. roughly ment on the seed. This binder usually is a type ofIn 2018, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA)21,249 polymer, and according to Incotec, most polymers arepublished a first draft restriction proposalalongmetric tons of considered to be microplastic containing.with it comes consequences. microplastics Microplastics can get into the environment, suchThe regulations are first coming into play in Europe,are released to as our soils, our water and our seas, says Alexanderbut California followed suit with a proposed legislationU.S. agriculture van der Heiden, general manager of Incotec Norththat would commit to 75% reduction in plastic wastelands from America. When they get into nature, they get into ourby 2030. This would phase out most single-use pack- sewage sludge. animals that we love and care for and the animals thataging as well. we eat. However, van der Heiden says theres a growingThe European When you look at the major polluters, plastic bagsinterest from seed companies all over the world, evenCommission and car tires are the biggest culprits. However, behindin regions where microplastics arent restricted.estimates up to that, agriculture in general contributes about 10% of allUsing microplastic free products has pushed the8,000 microplastics to our planet, says van der Heiden.industry to direction, van der Heiden says. Within that 10%, the seed industry only contributesOnce its established, and the first solutions comemetric tons of about 1% to microplastics, he says. In principle, youto the market, you see a group of global compa- plastic from could argue that 1% isnt very big. However, if you dontnies that want to be part of that direction, he says.slow-release fertilizers are want products, such as seed treatments, to get intoWhether you are a smaller company like Incotec orbroadcast the environment in the form of dust-off, you need toa giant in agriculture, those companies will drive thisonto Western use ways and materials that are ecofriendly as well. forward.European Incotec is just one company looking into microplas- In the future, van der Heiden says that Incotec isagricultural tic-free seed coatings to address the problem.working on microplastic-free coatings for sunflowersoils annually. and corn, and in Europe, a new microplastic free film-A Global Address coat solution for vegetables launching in September To address the issue, Incotec looked to start with a big2021. crop to make a difference: lettuce.This isnt going to be a one-off idea, van der You always make the biggest impact if you catchHeiden says. This is a movement, and compa-the biggest player, says van der Heiden. Lettuce isnies understand that. In the end, it isnt a matter of by far the biggest industry in the U.S.the Americanwhen this will happenits a matter of how this will public love to have their salads. develop.SW54/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2021'