8 July 2019
Braveheart Investment Group plc
("Braveheart" or the "Group")
Investment in Pharm2Farm Limited
Braveheart (AIM: BRH), the fund management and strategic investor group, is pleased to announce that it has acquired a 33 per cent. holding in Pharm2Farm Limited ("P2F"). P2F is a spin out from Nottingham Trent University ("NTU") and is based in Nottingham, UK.
NTU and P2F have developed and patented a process to increase the bioavailability of trace minerals in plant feeds. Their patented process uses nanotechnology to dramatically improve trace element take-up in both flower and crop farming. P2F produce and sell these products through an exclusive licence to this technology from NTU.
Since records began in the 1940's, the nutritional value of the UK's and worldwide crops has diminished dramatically. Many of the intensively grown foods produced can no longer be regarded to be 'as healthy' because they lack the levels of trace elements once present. P2F produces these specialist nutrients in a unique way so that plants can absorb them more effectively.
This pioneering technology was initially developed to enrich the nutritional value of potatoes, in conjunction with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board ("AHDB") which represents farmers. Preliminary results not only showed a 20 per cent. increase in iron uptake by the tubers, but also an increase in yield and an approximate two-week reduction in the time to harvest. This patented technology has now been developed for use in the growing of other commercial crops, both in soil and hydroponically.
The worldwide hydroponics market alone is estimated to be $8.1 billion in 2019 and is expected to continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 12 per cent. to $16.0 billion by 2025, with the EU remaining the largest market for hydroponically produced crops.
The Board of Braveheart believes there is a substantial market opportunity for this technology and is in negotiations to take the Group's shareholding in P2F to 54 per cent. by way of a working capital investment.
For further information:
Braveheart Investment Group plc
|
Tel: 01738 587555 |
Allenby Capital Limited (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)
|
Tel: 020 3328 5656
|
Peterhouse Capital Limited (Joint Broker) |
Tel: 020 7469 0936 |