French startup Neoplants is designing genetically modified plants that can absorb pollutants. The company's first plant, the Neo P1, works with the company's own microbiome located in the soil near the plant roots.
A group of indoor air pollutants can't be efficiently captured by traditional air purifiers. The majority of air purifications focus on particulate matters. It's difficult to tackle volatile organic compounds.
Toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene are two of the VOCs that Neoplants focuses on. The pollutants come from both outdoor pollution and construction materials. Smoking and cooking can cause pollution indoors.
The main components of air pollution can be captured by our plant. It can become plant matter if it is turned into something useful.
Plants convert CO2 into alcohol. The Neo P1 has been altered so that it can metabolize air pollutants. For example, it can turn BTEX compounds into an acid that the plant can use to make proteins.
The company says that applying these methods on plants is new. Patrick told me that they had to sequence the plant's genetics.
The image is from Neo Plants.
The plant needs somebacteria to get rid of pollutants. The most efficient group ofbacteria was chosen by the startup. To make sure that the combination of the plant and the soil keeps working well, Neoplants customers have to add some proprietary powerdrops frequently.
Pre-orders for Neoplants will begin in the first quarter of 2023. The company makes its own plants. In order to grow these plants in their production sites, it has partnerships with industrial companies.
The Neo P1 package includes a plant pot with a basket for maximum air intake and three months of microbiome for $179. The company raised money from a number of business angels.
Neoplants wants to use the same processes with other plants. Next year, it wants to work on carbon capture and storage.
The image is from Neo Plants.
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