Clean Crop Technologies (Clean Crop) has announced receiving $1.2 million in grant funding from the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2), administered by the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech). This initiative aims to facilitate the transition from innovation to commercialization in manufacturing, primarily through grants for equipment capital expenditures. Clean Crop plans to utilize the M2I2 funding to expand its engagement with contract manufacturing partners across Massachusetts, addressing the increasing demand for its products. The funds will also support the scaling of the company’s team, capacity, revenue, and impact at its seed tolling facility in Holyoke, MA.
Clean Crop is dedicated to combatting global crop loss at its source. The company’s EPA-approved Clean Current system represents a breakthrough in seed decontamination technology—a dry, fully electric, and residue-free process that replaces fossil fuel-dependent and chemical treatments. By utilizing electricity and air to generate cold plasma, the Clean Current system effectively neutralizes a wide spectrum of contaminants on seed surfaces. It is the world’s first industrial-scale, cold-plasma seed treatment device, capable of treating 25 to over 50 pounds of seed per hour. To date, Clean Crop has secured $3.4 million in purchase orders for its Clean Current seed treatment, representing approximately 39% of the global vegetable seed market.
“Seed contamination poses a significant challenge, contributing to $220 billion in agricultural revenue losses globally and impacting food supply chains. Traditional seed treatments often compromise seed quality, require substantial space, involve labor-intensive processes, and rely on fossil fuels,” explained Daniel White, co-founder and CEO of Clean Crop. “Our Clean Current technology addresses these issues by delivering effective seed decontamination without affecting seed quality or necessitating chemical or water additives. Moreover, it eliminates the risk of chemical run-off post-planting. With support from M2I2, we can expand our production capacity and deploy additional Clean Current systems to meet the rising demand within the seed market.”
“This funding recognizes 13 companies with significant potential to enhance manufacturing capabilities in Massachusetts,” stated Christine Nolan, Director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing. “The M2I2 program not only facilitates the development of pilot-scale production capacity but also encourages companies to invest in their communities and workforce. Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of the Massachusetts economy, offering sustainable employment opportunities for individuals across educational backgrounds.”
The M2I2 grant arrives during a period of substantial growth for Clean Crop. In May, the company was honored with the Agriculture Category award in Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas, and it was recently featured on TIME’s list of America’s Top Greentech Companies for 2024. Headquartered in Holyoke, MA, Clean Crop is collaborating with Springfield Technical Community College to establish a workforce development program tailored for electromechanical technicians in the region. This initiative aims to equip local residents, particularly those from underserved communities, with the skills necessary to operate and maintain Clean Crop’s advanced Clean Current technology within its seed tolling facility.
