Case Study: IPPIN Grants | SBM
Sprayable Solutions for a Plastic-Free Harvest: An IPPIN-Supported Breakthrough in Sustainable Agriculture
To replace large plastics in agriculture, CSIRO is developing a sprayable biodegradable mulch, a patented innovation that can be sprayed around crops to form a biodegradable membrane to control weeds, conserve water and increase crop yields.
| Project Lead | CSIRO | Agriculture & Food Business Unit |
| Project Partners | Salim Agrochemicals (Indonesia), Boron Molecular (Australia) |
| Grant Support | Provided through the Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network (IPPIN) |
| Grant Amount | $ 255,826 |
| Trial Location | Central West Java, Indonesia |
| Project Duration | 12 months |
The Challenge
Plastic mulch films (PMFs) are widely used in agriculture to improve crop yields and produce quality by improving moisture retention, suppressing weeds, reducing soil erosion, and protecting or augmenting crop exposure to UV rays. However, nearly all PMFs are single season use, costly to remove and difficult to recycle, and so are often dumped, polluting land and waterways. This is a particularly significant and growing problem in Southeast Asia, where recycling infrastructure is limited.
As demand for food increases across the region and arable land becomes scarcer, the use of PMFs is expected to rise by 50% globally by 2030, escalating the volume of plastic waste in farming systems. [Studies have also shown that residual plastic in soil can reduce crop yields by up to 25%, degrade soil quality, and leach microplastics into ecosystems
The innovation
With support from the Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network (IPPIN), CSIRO is testing a sprayable biodegradable mulch (SBM) – a patented innovation that can be sprayed around crops to form a biodegradable membrane to control weeds, conserve water and increase crop yields, whilst eliminating the use of PMFs.
Unlike conventional plastic films, SBM can be applied directly around crops using standard farm equipment and does not require removal or disposal, significantly reducing plastic waste and labour costs.
Making an impact with IPPIN support
The CSIRO team identified an opportunity to reduce PMFS with a more sustainable solution that could both reduce agricultural plastic waste and increase crop yields. To explore the potential of its sprayable biodegradable mulch in Southeast Asia, the team needed to test the product under new climatic and market conditions.
Participation in the IPPIN Program supported CSIRO in developing its business model for regional markets, refining its value proposition and partnership strategy. Building on this foundation, an IPPIN Grant enabled the team to conduct the first tropical field trials of its sprayable biodegradable mulch (SBM) in collaboration with Salim Agrochemicals, a leading agribusiness in Indonesia. Previously, SBM had only been tested in Mediterranean climates. The IPPIN-supported trial in Indonesia marked a critical milestone in proving the product’s adaptability and commercial viability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Next steps & Opportunities
CSIRO are currently working with broadacre farmers in Australia to adapt and improve their SBM technology by incorporating on-farm crop residues into their mulch formulation, advancing its circularity and applicable to a wider range of farmers.
Further information
For partnership or investment enquiries, contact the IPPIN team:
The Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network (IPPIN) is supported by the Australian Government and implemented by CSIRO
