Let it grow: Panasonic's plant formula boosts CO2 absorption

Field-Proven Gains

Panasonic Holdings will release Novitek, its plant growth formula, as early as this year following nationwide field tests since 2022. Farmers who used the biostimulant during intense heat waves reported yield increases of 10%–20%, with specific crops showing dramatic improvements: corn yields rose approximately 50%, tomatoes 44%, and spinach 41%.

A Tamba farmer compares black soybean plants: untreated (right) vs. Novitek-treated (left). Larger stems and pods indicate heightened CO2 absorption.

Science Behind the Formula

Novitek contains biomolecules derived from genetically engineered cyanobacteria. When sprayed on crops (a 500ml bottle diluted 1,000 times covers 1 hectare), it adheres to leaves and boosts photosynthetic efficiency—especially critical during heat stress. "This substance stimulates crops, increasing photosynthetic capacity when temperatures climb," explains Seiji Kojima, Chief Researcher at Panasonic. Reduced fertilizer requirements further lower carbon emissions tied to chemical production.

Business Model and Expansion

• Pricing & Distribution: Bottles priced below ¥10,000 ($63) will be sold via agricultural cooperatives starting April 2027. Domestic production capacity sits at 60,000 bottles annually, scalable to demand.
• Carbon Credit Strategy: Panasonic plans to apply Novitek to trees and seaweed, converting enhanced CO2 absorption into monetizable carbon credits. This could contribute ~100 million tons toward Panasonic’s 2050 goal of reducing global emissions by 300 million tons.
• Global Scaling: Export markets are under evaluation, leveraging Panasonic’s retained biotech R&D functions since its 2014 healthcare divestment.

Environmental Impact

Beyond agriculture, Novitek’s expansion into forestry and marine ecosystems could transform how carbon sinks are managed. By increasing photosynthesis efficiency across plant species, Panasonic aims to turn biostimulants into a scalable climate solution—with verifiable emission cuts driving its carbon credit ambitions.