BIOTOP

Biotop is a French company specialized in the research and production of alternative solutions for the protection of plants and foodstuffs. These solutions are effective and environmentally friendly. Biotop has obtained the label Origine France Garantie for its main products (ladybirds, Calpop...).

History. In 1975, Biotop began ten years of research and experimentation to develop breeding techniques and the use of trichograms (a micro-insect that parasitizes the eggs of harmful insects by laying eggs indoors). He then marketed these beneficial insects and decided to build an industrial production unit. This biofabric was created in 1992 in Valbonne (06), near the INRA Centre in Antibes where research on Trichograms was carried out. The biofabrik produces large quantities of butterfly eggs (the flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella) used for Trichogramma breeding on a daily basis. In addition, research has shown that flour moth eggs can also be used to raise other beneficial insects. Thus, the sale of these eggs and the breeding of other insects have made it possible to diversify the activity. Biotop then began breeding and marketing proposed ladybugs for plant aphid control, before diversifying outside the use of beneficial insects, using sex pheromones for insect trapping, and for the technique of sexual confusion. In 2000, Biotop opened a new 12,000 ^m2 biofactory in Livron-sur-Drôme (26), in the heart of the Biovallée region.

The products. Biotop has developed several types of natural solutions to protect plants, whether by using insects (ladybird, chrysop, calpop) or nematodes (worms invisible to the naked eye), or by trapping or diffusing pheromones for sexual confusion.

Employment. 80 employees.