annover, Germany
November 5, 2015

• Cheap electricity makes expensive agrochemicals redundant
• Integrated ‘e-3 technology’ is highly effective in controlling bacteria, micro-fungi and
• viruses
• EVONTA at Agritechnica: Hall 6, Stand F45

‘EVONTA e-3’, a brand-new e-treatment system developed by electronic seed treatment specialist EVONTA-Service, is making its debut public appearance at the world's leading trade fair for agricultural machinery and equipment. This compact system, the first of its kind in the world, provides a quick, safe and environmentally friendly means of ridding virtually any seed of plant pathogens without using expensive chemicals. The ‘e-ventus’ process exploits the effect of electrons and is highly effective in controlling bacteria, micro-fungi and viruses. What makes it special is that users no longer have to rely on expensive chemical seed treatments and with electricity costs being only a fraction of the costs currently incurred for chemicals, the ‘EVONTA e-3’ will pay for itself in just a few years. The system is extremely compact, easy to use and can be integrated into existing seed preparation systems without difficulty. The innovative product is available in various configurations for stationary or mobile operation and can be ordered immediately at www.evonta.de.

“With the ‘EVONTA e-3’ we are offering seed producers and farmers an effective and clean alternative to chemical treatments”, says Dr. Olaf Röder, CEO of EVONTA-Service GmbH. “At the same time our technology is extremely economical and sustainable, because our customers no longer have to pay for chemical treatments or concern themselves with the restrictions associated with crop protection products.”

Proven and reliable process systematically developed using new technology

The technology used in the new e-treatment system relies on innovative process control for which international patents are pending. State-of-the-art electron generators and processing and control components ensure that the ‘EVONTA e-3’ provides the highest level of process stability and safety. The fundamental principles of the process were developed jointly with the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) and various institutes of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft. Tested in numerous agricultural interlaboratory tests, the electronic treatment technique has been in use since 2011 in a prototype treatment plant at BayWa AG and Ceravis AG (formerly Getreide AG).

“We have pooled our extensive shop floor experience and high-level expertise to convert ‘e-3 technology’ into a machine which is ready for commercial release”, says Mathias Kotte, CTO of EVONTA-Service GmbH.

The efficiency and effectiveness of the ‘e-ventus’ process has been significantly increased through the systematic development of prototype systems engineering. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the ‘EVONTA e-3’ is considerably more flexible, compact and cost-effective than the original pilot plant. Innovative in-line measurement methods ensure fully automatic process control and make the new system extremely simple to operate: Users just select the seed type and press a button to start the treatment.

“We are already using the electron treatment to successfully treat cereal seeds and are extremely satisfied with the process”, says Reiner Schnell, agricultural seed director at BayWa AG. 

“Seed handling and storage as well as the disposal of residues have become much easier and even the price is more affordable. Field emergence 3 to 5 days earlier has the advantage of improved plant growth. Our yields have grown continuously in recent years. Electron treatment has proved to be the best option for us”, says Andreas Petschke, chairman of BEGA Gahlenz e.G.

Efficient, compact and environmentally friendly

Up until now, seed dressers have had to invest 40 to 60 euros per tonne in chemical seed treatments, but by using ‘EVONTA e-3’ they can dispense with these costs entirely. With seed treatment based purely on electricity, they simply incur energy costs of 4 to 6 kilowatt hours per tonne of seed. At the same time, seed dressers create a basis for high quality, healthy seed which can be used in conventional and organic farming systems. By avoiding chemical seed treatments, ‘EVONTA e-3’ protects the environment and makes a valuable contribution to sustainable agriculture with a high degree of consumer acceptance. To view our promotional film ‘EVONTA e-3’, go to https://vimeo.com/143353877.

EVONTA at Agritechnica 2015
The world first can be seen as a functional model and a film in Hall 6, Stand F45. Please contact us to arrange a specialist consultation or an individual demonstration; watch us treating sunflower seeds in our system, and then take them home and see them grow into healthy sunflowers in your garden!

Benefits at a glance

• Fully automatic system for the electronic treatment of seed
• Perfect results on all types of plant pathogens (micro-fungi, bacteria and viruses)
• Eliminates the need for expensive agrochemicals, only 4-6 kilowatt-hours of electricity per tonne of seed is required
• Ideal for all types of seed, including cereal, maize, rice, vegetables, legumes and special seeds
• Compact, space-saving design
• Easy to integrate into existing seed treatment systems
• Simply plug into existing power sockets (63 A)
• Fully automatic ‘3 button’ operation
• Integrated diagnostics and remote maintenance system

Technical data

• Capacity (depending on seed type): approx. 5 t / h (cereal) and 50 - 1000 kg / h (vegetables)
• Quality assurance with data acquisition and logging
• In-line measurement system to monitor process data
• Remote maintenance and diagnostics system
• Dimensions: approx. 2.7 m x 3.2 m x 2.2 m (H x W x D), transport height: 2.5 m
• Weight: approx. 5900 kg
• Electrical connection: 1 × CEE 63 A / 400 V / 50 Hz
• Power consumption: 25 – 30 kW (depending on seed type)
• Datasheet: http://www.e-ventus.de/downloads/2_e-ventus_system_e-3_ENG.pdf

Price and availability
The ‘EVONTA e-3’ can be ordered straightaway in various designs and costs from 650,000 – 680,000 euros net depending on the throughput and chosen configuration. In addition to various purchasing options, EVONTA-Service GmbH also offers its customers individual leasing models or rental options.

About EVONTA-Service
EVONTA-Service GmbH develops, produces and operates electronic seed treatment systems. The fundamental principles of the ‘e-ventus’ process were developed at the Manfred von Ardenne Research Institute and further refined in partnership with a number of the Fraunhofer Institutes, Schmidt-Seeger AG (now Bühler AG) and the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI). EVONTA-Service GmbH operates a successful pilot production plant for BayWa AG and Ceravis AG (formerly Getreide AG). In developing the innovative ‘EVONTA e-3’, EVONTA has made the technical leap to commercial maturity and is the world's first supplier of compact electronic seed treatment systems. In the coming years the company plans to accelerate growth by expanding R&D, manufacturing and sales. EVONTA-Service GmbH was founded in 2009 and is managed by owners Dr. Olaf Röder (CEO) and Mathias Kotte (CTO). .

Website: http://www.evonta.de

Published: November 5, 2015