Biofolix: Keeping Moisture in the Soil, Helping Seedlings Grow

23. June 2026

Article Opportunities

Biofolix: Keeping Moisture in the Soil, Helping Seedlings Grow

Farmers face two persistent problems at once: drought and plastic. Black plastic mulch films help retain moisture in the soil, protect plants, and make cultivation more efficient. But at the end of every season, they have to be collected, transported, and disposed of. That means extra labour, extra cost, and a problem that does not fully disappear. Microplastics can remain in the soil, and a material designed to help crops can become another burden on the environment. Existing alternatives often fall short – or simply move the problem elsewhere.

Vision

A mulch material that does not need to be collected after the season. A material that breaks down naturally in the soil, avoids plastic waste, and helps plants manage water and nutrients more effectively.

Gamechanger

A research team at Mendel University in Brno has developed Biofolix – a biodegradable mulch material made from natural polysaccharides: furcellaran from seaweed and chitosan from crustacean shells. The film absorbs moisture, gradually develops microcracks, and is broken down by soil microorganisms through natural enzyme activity. The result? Biofolix retains water 15–30% more effectively than standard hydrogel. It can also be enriched with phosphorus or potassium, which are gradually released into the root zone as the film decomposes. At the end of the season, there is no plastic film left to collect. Just soil ready for the next cycle of growth.

Who is it for?

Primarily for farmers dealing with drought and looking for a sustainable alternative to plastic mulch films. The team also sees potential beyond agronomy – including packaging and other industries where single-use materials are still widely used.

What has worked so far?

Biofolix has functional prototypes tested both in the laboratory and in the field at Farma Ráječek. After 28 days in the soil, the material degraded as expected and lettuce seedlings thrived. The project is being developed within the Space Agri Technologies research group at MENDELU’s Faculty of Agronomy, under the supervision of doc. Vedran Milosavljević. Prototype production is carried out in collaboration with Furplast.

Biofolix is now looking for a partner to help scale from manual laboratory production to continuous industrial manufacturing. The team is also open to applications beyond agriculture. If you see potential for Biofolix in your field, get in touch.

I want to get in touch