Resource Saving Crop Cultivation System “ iCAST™ ”
～New System to Maximize Yield and Reduce Environmental Burden～
December 24, 2013
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
Mitsui Chemicals (Toshikazu Tanaka, President & CEO) announced expansion into a new business area of sustainable crop cultivation using its proprietary iCAST™ (integrated Cultivation-Accelerating System) to significantly enhance natural plant growth.
iCAST™ is a unique crop cultivation system which supplies liquefied nutrients through tubes to a special planting bed using the proprietary material, iCALM™ (integrated Cultivation-Accelerating Materials). As water, fertilizer, and pesticides are supplied through tubes to and retained in the iCALM™ planting bed, crops can absorb nutrients and air as required (plant dependent growth factor delivery) resulting in optimal growth and quality.
This innovative system not only maximizes yield and crop quality but also minimizes water, fertilizer, and pesticide use and restricts their release to the soil. By significantly reducing environmental burden, agriculture using this system is more environment-friendly.
Mitsui Chemicals targets global expansion of iCAST™ and is selecting partners experienced in the agricultural market to collaborate in expansion and development. The Company targets early commercialization and will commence verification tests in early 2014.
＜iCAST™ Increased yield and decreased water and nutrients＞
※Based on tests conducted by Mitsui Chemicals
| iCAST™ | Category | Produce | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 150-160% | Soil culture | wheat, corn, soybeans, tomatoes, melons, cabbage, etc. |
| Water volume | Less than 10% | Sprinkler | |
| Nutrient volume | Less than 30% | Soil culture |
