Spanish company Nawter is carving out its place in the competitive biostimulants sector not only by developing its own enzymatic hydrolysis technology, but also by building a model that combines strict raw material selection, uncompromising quality control, and direct agronomic knowledge transfer to the field.
Its R&D department works continuously on identifying and incorporating new agro-industrial byproducts into its processes. Each is evaluated according to two key criteria: manageability and bioactive composition.
"In terms of manageability, we assess the necessary pre-treatments (grinding, extraction, filtration, centrifugation), the physical state of the material (with a preference for liquid or semi-liquid fractions), its solubility and miscibility in water or hydrolysis broth, as well as its stability, including viscosity, tendency to sediment or ferment, and shelf life," the company explains.
© FreshPlaza/Hortidaily España
On the bioactive side, Nawter focuses on byproducts with a high protein content to maximize peptide and amino acid yield, while also seeking raw materials rich in functional molecules such as antioxidants, antimicrobials, and phytohormones, but without inhibitors that could hinder enzymatic or biological activity.
"One differentiating aspect of our processes is the versatility in using protein sources," the company continues. "This allows us to work with a wide range of byproducts, both animal and plant-based, while maintaining efficiency and hydrolysate quality. Each step of the industrial process must be adapted to the raw material's characteristics to maximize peptide and amino acid yield, while preserving the bioactive compounds inherent to each source."
A rigorous quality system ensures sustainability, traceability, and uniformity of production batches. Every raw material batch is registered at its origin, with critical control points monitored in real time throughout the process. Each production and packaging batch undergoes compositional analysis to certify its nutritional and bioactive profile.
Peptides as 'biochemical keys'
According to Nawter, the functional difference of its biostimulants lies in their ability to extract and preserve active biomolecules of high biological value from proteins through specific enzymatic processes.
© Nawter
This selective extraction yields low molecular weight bioactive peptides with defined amino acid sequences, optimized depending on the technology used. These peptides act as "biochemical keys" in plant molecular signaling: by binding to cell membrane or cytosolic receptors, they activate precise metabolic pathways. Their mode of action resembles that of phytohormones or elicitors, triggering highly specific physiological responses.
Research supports their efficacy in:
-
Inducing systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and induced systemic resistance (ISR) against biotic stress;
-
Stimulating genes tied to antioxidant activity, nutrient transport, photosynthesis, and respiration;
-
Modulating hormonal pathways to ensure balanced development under variable conditions.
Structurally, these peptides show remarkable stability against environmental stress and formulation demands thanks to the integrity of their peptide bonds. Unlike chemical or thermal hydrolysates – which often result in heterogeneous, less functional mixtures – enzymatically obtained peptides maintain their bioactivity and provide consistent, long-lasting effects, even under challenging agronomic conditions such as extreme temperatures, water stress, or salinity.
In addition to their signaling role, released amino acids also feed into primary metabolism, optimizing plants' energy and resource use, thereby improving overall yield and resilience.
Long-lasting physiological effect
Nawter's products, the company highlights, stand out for two key aspects: long-lasting physiological impact and precise action on metabolic and hormonal processes. This translates into earlier crop responses, faster recovery after stress, and above all, balanced vegetative and reproductive development.
"Our solutions include Balius Go, designed to act immediately in situations of abiotic stress or moments of high energy demand; Qlimax, which acts at root level as a bioactivator of biogeochemical cycles and mobiliser of nutrients blocked in the soil; N80, which is positioned as an integral solution for the efficient management of nitrogen in the plant; and for crops requiring ecological management, Nawtilus".
© Nawter
Close to growers, expanding markets
Beyond technical innovation, Nawter emphasizes proximity. Its network of official distributors and regional delegates works directly with farmers to adapt solutions to each crop, growth stage, and local condition. "Our delegates collaborate closely with distributors to integrate the technology into their recommendations, and we support this with field trials, demo days, and technical materials," the company explains.
While its main base remains in southern Spain, Nawter is expanding into northern regions and pursuing strategic international growth, seeking strong partnerships tailored to each market.
© FreshPlaza/Hortidaily EspañaFor more information:
Nawter
Parque Industrial Alhama - C/ Alemania, s/n
30840, Alhama de Murcia, Murcia (Spain)
https://nawter.com
