Context

Treated seeds, containing protection products and additives, must be destroyed when they are no longer usable. Their elimination by incineration in cement plants is the most common solution due to the ban on landfilling since 2005. 

This method, although effective, represents a high cost of 80 to 100 €/ton and does not allow any valorization of the downgraded seeds, whose annual volume reaches approximately 21,000
tons in France. 

This context highlights the importance of developing more economical and sustainable alternatives for the management of these wastes.

Competitive advantages

• Seed Valorization: Unlike incineration, ozone treatment allows the reuse of treated seeds in numerous industrial sectors, promoting a circular economy.
• Cost Reduction: The ozone process is potentially less costly than incineration, eliminating high logistics, transport, and destruction costs, while creating added value from treated seeds.
• Environmental Respect: Ozone effectively degrades residual phytosanitary molecules without generating toxic by-products, avoiding polluting emissions and contributing to more ecological management of downgraded seeds.
• Versatility and Innovation: The process offers a flexible and innovative alternative, compatible with various industrial sectors (energy, green chemistry, sustainable materials), meeting the growing need for sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
• Simplification of Operations: With simple steps (adjusting humidity, exposure to ozone, elimination of residual ozone), ozone treatment is easier to implement than heavy conventional solutions like incineration. 

These advantages position this process as an ecological, economical, and innovative solution for the management of downgraded seeds.