Accelerating collaboration with UV Boosting, a developer, manufacturer, and supplier of ultraviolet irradiation equipment for plants.
Kubota Corporation (Head Office: Kita-ku, Osaka; President and Representative Director: Shingo Hanada; hereinafter “Kubota”) has made an additional investment in UV Boosting, a French startup, through its European holding company Kubota Holdings Europe B.V. (Head Office: the Netherlands; hereinafter “KHE”). Through this additional investment, Kubota will further strengthen its collaboration with UV Boosting.
In Europe, there is a strong demand for the introduction of technologies that contribute to reducing environmental impact and achieving sustainable growth, including solutions that reduce the use of chemical pesticides. Recognizing this need, Kubota invested in UV Boosting in 2024 and has since conducted demonstration trials through collaboration with the company. In addition, Kubota has commenced full-scale sales of UV Boostingʼs products through its sales network this year.
UV Boostingʼs UV flash technology uses short-wavelength UV light to stimulate plant leaves, promoting the secretion of salicylic acid and other plant hormones that enhance plantsʼ natural resistance to pathogens. This highly versatile solution is applicable to a wide range of crops, including wine grapes, fruit trees, and vegetables, and is expected to provide benefits such as disease suppression, reduced pesticide use, and improved resilience to environmental stresses such as frost and drought. In particular, the technology is expected to be highly effective in vineyards and fruit cultivation. Field trials conducted by independent third-party organizations have confirmed a 40% reduction in disease incidence and a 13% increase in yield in vineyards.
To further strengthen its collaboration with UV Boosting in Europe, Kubota has made an additional investment through Kubota in Europe in the company. Through the further expansion of UV Boostingʼs product, Kubota aims to accelerate business growth, contribute to solving challenges faced by agricultural producers—such as disease control and environmental impact reduction—and promote the realization of sustainable agriculture.
Our tractor business in Europe is strengthening its focus on Smart Farming and solutions that are sized right for the needs of today’s farmers. In that context, UV Boosting’s environmentally friendly technology aligns well with the Kubota Group philosophy”, said Hisakazu Kitanobu, vice-president of a Kubota Holding Europe. “By utilizing ultraviolet light to stimulate plants and support growth, it offers an innovative approach to crop production. This strong alignment led us to develop the business together as partners. We believe the technology is easy to use and provides value for both dealers and end users.”
“This marks an exciting next chapter in our strategic partnership with Kubota” said Baptiste Rouesné, CEO of UV Boosting. “By leveraging Kubota’s extensive industrial expertise and robust European distribution network, we are confident we will successfully consolidate our market presence. Together, we are accelerating our mission to transform UV Boosting’s innovation into a standard, indispensable tool for farmers”.
About UV Boosting
UV Boosting, founded in 2017 in France within Technofounders startup studio, offers implements that utilize UV-C light panels to better protect the growers’ crops in an environmentally-friendly solution supporting growers with reducing fungal pressure and limiting yield losses due to diseases and other stresses like droughts or frost in a clean and residue-free way. The Helios implements can be easily mounted on standard (narrow) tractors and straddle tractors for application in vineyards. UV Boosting keeps developing its product range for new crops. The company develops, manufactures, and sells the implements through its own distribution network, aiming to increase sales in distribution in the next few years.
About Kubota
Since its founding in 1890, the Kubota Group has been working to solve social issues through superior products, technologies, and services in the areas of food, water, and the environment. We operate in more than 120 countries around the world, providing solutions to enhance the productivity and safety of food, promote the circulation of water resources and waste, and improve urban and living environments. Under our brand statement “For Earth, For Life,” we promise to continue supporting the prosperous life of humans while protecting the environment of this beautiful earth. For more information on the Kubota group, please visit: https://www.kubota.com/ and https://kubota-group.eu/en/.
