GroNatural and Chile-based Plantae Labs are partnering to develop and validate natural agricultural inputs using nano-encapsulation, botanical extraction and formulation technologies.

The partnership combines GroNatural’s proprietary nano-encapsulation and natural amplification platforms with Plantae Labs’ botanical extraction capabilities and NovaDrop, its saponin-based nano-emulsion technology. The companies aim to improve the performance, stability and delivery of plant-derived active ingredients for agricultural applications.

Announced Nov. 9, 2026, the collaboration will focus on joint research and development programs to improve the efficacy, consistency and shelf stability of natural active ingredients. Other priorities include advancing nano-emulsion and encapsulation technologies, developing controlled-release capabilities and generating agronomic, toxicological and technical data to support regulatory approvals and commercial adoption.

The companies intend to move beyond laboratory research to validate performance under field conditions, prioritizing crops and applications where growers face challenges such as pesticide resistance, residue limits, formulation instability and changing regulatory requirements.

“The challenge with natural crop protection has never been the lack of biologically active compounds, but rather the ability to harness, stabilize, and consistently translate their inherent activity into predictable field performance,” said Jeff Hill, chief science officer of GroNatural.

Hill said the company’s AMPx technology and encapsulation platforms are designed to improve the stability of natural active ingredients, preserve their biological activity and address limitations associated with volatility, degradation and environmental exposure.

He said the partnership builds on a shared scientific vision to improve formulation precision, product stability and field efficacy so natural crop protection products can compete with conventional synthetic chemistry.

“By combining our saponin-based delivery technology with GroNatural’s encapsulation platform, we are advancing applied science that unlocks the full performance potential of plant-based actives, enabling measurable, field-relevant results while meeting rising expectations for sustainability, safety, and performance,” said Juan José Albarrán, managing director of Plantae Labs.

GroNatural, based in Burnsville, Minnesota, describes itself as a natural chemistry company developing agricultural and other solutions through its proprietary AMPx and MAX technology platforms. Its products are designed to be zero-residue and microplastic-free.

Plantae Labs, headquartered in Santiago, Chile, specializes in botanical research, extraction and formulation for agricultural and life sciences applications. Its NovaDrop technology uses saponin-based nano-emulsions to improve the efficacy, stability and performance of natural active ingredients.