Robertet Acquires AI-controlled Biofarm Developed by Interstellar Lab

Robertet has entered into a contract with biotech startup Interstellar Lab to acquire a BioPod. Interstellar Lab is described as a visionary player in biofarming, with a focus on reducing its environmental footprint for precision agriculture. With the use of artificial intelligence (AI), BioPod is said to accelerate production cycles and increase the production of bioactive compounds in plants while offering a sustainable cultivation tool that anticipates the challenges of sourcing plants and the environmental impact of producing natural ingredients.

Related: Robertet Announces Acquisition of Omega Ingredients

BioPod is a 11m long, 5m wide and 6m high deployable greenhouse, which can be installed without a foundation and offers up to 100m² of highly-controlled growing space. This autonomous cocoon, a terrestrial adaptation of a system originally developed for NASA, is said to operate in a semi-closed circuit, optimizing the water cycle and capturing ambient CO₂. According to a release, the BioPod is home to a transparent membrane that captures sunlight and reduces the energy consumption of artificial light. Equipped with sensors and its own AI, BioPod recreates climates autonomously, designed to enable the production of high-value-added plants and natural ingredients in a sustainable and replicable way. 

Jérôme Bruhat, CEO of Robertet, explains, "The arrival of this BioPod in Grasse illustrates Robertet's innovation strategy: using cutting-edge technologies to offer our customers the best natural products for a more sustainable industry. We are doing this with a recognized pioneer in biofarming."

''We are looking forward to kick-off our collaboration with Interstellar Lab, an exceptional partner. We are already engaged in several research programs to prepare the future of aromatic plants agronomy, and we are excited to accelerate this research thanks to the remarkable performance of the BioPod. We are determined to continue transforming our industry," explains Julien Maubert, director of the Raw Materials Division and in charge of the Interstellar project.

"We are delighted to be bringing BioPods to market with Robertet, as our first partner, a leading French, natural ingredients group with unrivalled experience and expertise in cultivating Earth natural resources. We share many common values, such as the preservation of biodiversity. With the BioPod, we are offering a solution to the industry's ecological transition. We harness technology to benefit the living." adds Barbara Belvisi, founder and CEO of Interstellar Lab.