Shielding Coffee From Climate Change With Biopolymer Composite “Lillishield” – CoffeeTalk

Lilliput Technologies, founded in April 2024 and spun out of Deep Science Ventures, is set to raise a pre-seed round following the approval of a patent for its innovative biopolymer technology aimed at mitigating abiotic stress in plants. CEO Mauricio Herrera Rodriguez highlighted the company’s flagship product, Lillishield, a biopolymer composite that effectively blocks 70-90% of ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation. This product not only cools plants by releasing excess heat but also does not hinder normal photosynthesis.

Currently, Lilliput is filing for U.S. patents while conducting field trials to validate the technology. The company has received considerable interest from agribusiness stakeholders, evidenced by letters of intent valued at $3.6 million annually. Herrera Rodriguez emphasizes that while major companies are investing in biological solutions for biotic stresses, there is a significant gap in addressing abiotic stresses, particularly those exacerbated by climate change.

Lilliput’s biopolymer technology is versatile and applicable to various crops, but the start-up is initially targeting coffee, given its vulnerability to climate-related issues. They are collaborating with Mercy Corps on a pilot project through the Climate Lab, focusing on measuring water demand for plants treated with Lillishield versus control samples. This is particularly relevant as water availability is often limited in Latin America (LATAM); their research indicates potential to reduce water demand by up to 60%, a crucial benefit for growers in the region.

The company’s research and development activities are located in Costa Rica, a region recognized for its potential in agricultural innovation despite lower funding levels compared to other markets. Herrera Rodriguez points out that Costa Rica hosts operations for major agribusiness firms and offers relatively lower costs for R&D, making it an attractive location for innovative agricultural solutions. He identifies LATAM as an “overlooked jewel” in agricultural innovation, stressing the region’s reliance on agriculture as a significant contributor to its GDP.

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