June 22, 2022

By Lynda Kiernan-Stone, Global AgInvesting Media

Precision irrigation company AQUA4D announced it has secured major new funding from France’s Abaque Finance, which the startup stated will enable it to fulfill its potential in select key markets and to scale its R&D and product innovation efforts. 

AQUA4D CEO Eric Valette explained to GAI News in an interview published in January of this year, “AQUA4D® is a sustainable solution that simultaneously addresses the most pressing problems facing agriculture: water scarcity and land degradation. Our Precision Irrigation helps achieve higher yields (+15 percent on average) using less resources (-25 percent less water on average), while helping soil restoration and a regenerative approach to agriculture. The size of water clusters is reduced, meaning soils stay moist for longer, while minerals and fertilizers within the water are efficiently dissolved so that they are easily absorbed by the plants, and excess salt no longer poses a problem.”

From its beginnings in Switzerland in the early 2000’s, AQUA4D has experienced exponential growth – now counting 5,000 installations in 43 countries, bringing greater water efficiency to a range of customers.

This ability is in high demand. The company stated that it is currently in the midst of an “unfortunate perfect storm” encompassing rapid population growth, soaring water demand, soil degradation, and climate change.

However, at the same time there is a growing awareness around sustainability and regenerative methodologies that’s translating into greater interest in AQUA4D’s technology.

“The need for our technology has never been greater, and new investment will help us reach a new level through smart recruitment, R&D expansion, and market penetration,” said Valette. “We look forward to working with Abaque Finance as they share our philosophy and vision for a sustainable future.”

The company noted that, in the spirit of innovation, its R&D team has consistently been exploring the boundaries of its technology, including exciting work in treating water for geothermal energy, and the release of a brand-new water-saving development for large-scale pivot irrigation that is expected to be released in 2023.

Additionally, AQUA4D announced it anticipates new branch offices and expanded teams to be in place in California and Chile later this year, to better serve both current and future customers.

“Plainly put, we have proven ourselves over the years as the most efficient and sustainable water treatment on the market,” Valette told GAI News.

“This is a technology that solves salinity issues while saving water in the process, and does so without using any chemicals and without changing the chemical composition of the water. Also, and importantly, there are no waste products, and growers can continue using the same water without harming their crops and land.”

“Lastly,” Valette concluded, “the increased efficiencies we bring about are proven to increase productivity and ultimately profits, meaning growers are now truly able to do more with less, and get the most out of every drop.”

With the capital from this investment, AQUA4D will be able to maximize its potential impact by supercharging its accomplishments and advancing to its next stage of development.

“When we met AQUA4D director Eric Valette we were already very active in the industrial water treatment sector through NGL Cleaning Technology and a varied offer of physico-chemical stations,” said Jean-Michel Balmelle, Abaque Finance. “It seemed obvious to us that we were the ideal partner to accompany them in this great adventure to develop AQUA4D and their sustainable efficiency.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

~ Lynda Kiernan-Stone is editor with GAI Media, and is managing editor and daily contributor for Global AgInvesting’s AgInvesting Weekly News and  Agtech Intel News, as well as HighQuest Group’s Unconventional Ag. She can be reached at lkiernan-stone@globalaginvesting.com.

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