VitalFluid has taken a step forward in transforming crop protection with the delivery of five Plasma Activated Water (PAW) machines to leading strawberry growers across England and Scotland. This milestone marks the company's commercial rollout in the United Kingdom and signals a new phase in sustainable, chemical free control of powdery mildew.
With the arrival of these systems, growers are adopting a clean, effective and residue free solution that integrates seamlessly with existing spray equipment. Weekly PAW applications allow crops to be protected without the use of conventional chemical crop protection products, meeting both market expectations and increasingly strict regulatory requirements.
Proven in trials across two continents
The commercial launch follows a series of successful trials carried out in 2025 with leading strawberry producers in the United Kingdom and the United States. These trials were conducted in both polytunnel and greenhouse production systems. Independent crop monitoring by NIAB, the UK's leading centre for applied research and innovation in commercial horticulture, confirmed PAW's strong performance in controlling powdery mildew. The trials also showed that PAW leaves no residues on plants or fruit and poses no risk to people or the environment.
© VitalFluid
Greater flexibility for growers
In addition to effective disease control, PAW offers a clear operational advantage through minimal re-entry and harvest intervals. This provides growers with greater flexibility in labour planning and harvest scheduling, allowing them to respond more easily to labour availability issues and changing market demand.
First UK launching customers
The first five UK growers to adopt VitalFluid's PAW technology include Angus Growers at Carmichael Farmhouse, Hall Hunter, and Homme Soft Fruit, part of the EC Drummond Group, alongside two additional leading UK strawberry producers. Their early adoption reflects growing confidence in the technology and its practical fit within commercial production.
Industry momentum is building
According to Mark van Boxtel, Sales Manager at VitalFluid, interest from growers is accelerating. "Growers are actively looking for sustainable tools to protect their crops. This is driven not only by intrinsic motivation, but also by clear demands from customers and stronger regulations that limit the use of chemicals," he says.
The uptake of PAW by these early customers highlights the momentum behind plasma based crop protection and positions VitalFluid as a frontrunner in the transition toward more sustainable horticulture.
For more information:
VitalFluid
Email: [email protected]
vitalfluid.com
