A biotechnology start-up in Thailand seeks to revolutionize organic farming with a cost-effective breakthrough innovation hastening seed germination, increasing yields, and preserving soil health. The system can be used for indoor and outdoor farming, with promising results.
Krit Sangvichien, a former member of the subcommittee on environment at the Thailand Senate, is the CEO of iflowtech a deep-tech spin-off from Chulalongkorn University ‘s Future Innovation Research in Science and Technology (FIRST) department. The company was founded in 2021 during the Covid-19 crisis in Bangkok. Its name was chosen by the four co-founders: Krit, Kongpop U-yen, a former senior NASA engineer, Chanida Pengpol, an expert in online marketing, and Pariyapat Siriipitchayapat, a finance and insurance specialist, to reflect the diversity of their technologies and their implementation areas, including water, health, and energy, all related to flow, Krit explained.
Magnetized Water System
MaxFlow, first developed at Chulalongkorn University, is a system based on water’s capacity to retain magnetic energy after being exposed to a strong magnetic field that rearranges the particles in the water, such as minerals.
After passing through the MaxFlow system, the water enriched with organic solutions, such as bio-fertilizers, will better deliver its content to the soil, and the plants. The system also breaks down minerals like magnesium and calcium, and chemicals that might be present in the water. As a result, seed germination is up by 98 %, the speed at which crops are ready to harvest increases by up to 30 %, and the soil is notably healthier, according to Krit.
He said the system is simply plugged into a pipeline or irrigation system.
Promoting Low Carbon Agriculture with iflowtech
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Krit has long been interested in sustainability. After a master’s degree in R&D in industrial and service design, he served on the sub-committee on environment in the Thai Senate, working on the country’s environmental challenges, such as electronic waste management, through sustainable solutions, before joining Chulalongkorn University FIRST department.
One of the core values of iflowtech, which moved its headquarters to Singapore in 2023, is the “LOHI” initiative. Lo stands for lower greenhouse gas emission, Hi is for higher yields with biotechnology. The concept encompasses the sustainability of farming systems and the critical importance of mitigating climate change through low-carbon farming practices.
Iflowtech also focuses on a healthier, cleaner, and chemical contamination-free food production ecosystem.
Combining Magnetic Water Softener with Minimum Bio-Fertilizers use
As set out in their mission, iflowtech favors organic production and only collaborates with farms or growers that do not use chemicals. The company is partnering with a biotechnology company that produces bio-fertilizers.
The company’s technology was first applied to indoor farming, particularly salad and melon production. However, MaxFlow is increasingly adopted by outdoor crop producers, including rice paddies, corn fields, and tea, and it is currently being tested on herbs and durian production.
Climate change often results in reduced yields, according to Krit, and MaxFlow can not only help plants absorb bio-fertilizers better, but also reduce their use, becoming cost-effective for producers.
Distribution of MaxFlow to meet Market Demand for Bioproducts
Over 70 producers are currently using MaxFlow, and the growing demand for organic produce, the need for an increase in crop productivity, and the eagerness to find innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions all provide an expanding market for the company.
Iflowtech established a B2B business model, and customers can order MaxFlow online through several vendors in Thailand and the United States.
MaxFlow can be coupled with IoT sensors monitoring water and weather conditions to reduce water usage.
Patenting MaxFlow abroad with the PCT System
The MaxFlow is patented in Thailand (# 2101000840, and # 2101006274) and with WIPO’s support, the company is considering applying to the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the international patent system.
Patenting MaxFlow, Krit said, “is part of any business strategy, particularly in R&D.” “We use IP to validate our company, and without IP, we would not have any confidence to expand our business to other countries.
In the next five years, iflowtech hopes to become a standard product for irrigation in agriculture systems in Thailand and internationally.
