Company background and philosophy

ABiTEP GmbH is succeeding FZB Biotechnik GmbH which has a long standing tradition in developing innovative biotechnical products. Development of bioformulations based on plant growth promoting bacilli has been started by FZB more than 25 years ago.

One example is Bacillus subtilis FZB24^®- today the most popular agent for plant strengthening on the German market and now successfully applied in many countries in Europe, Asia, and North- and South America.

ABiTEP GmbH is permanently endeavouring, together with its scientific partner institutions, to develop a novel generation of improved products aimed to enhance yield, product quality and simultaneously to substitute or to reduce use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture.

Milestones of development

• Foundation of ABiTEP GmbH in Berlin Adlershof by Dr. Helmut Junge and Dipl. Ing. Paul Beifort
• Continuation of research and development activities of the former FZB Biotechnik GmbH Berlin
• Saving production of the plant strengthening agent Bacillus subtilis FZB 24^®
• Engagement of the distribution partners proagro GmbH and Biofa AG, expanding of the distribution network

• Start of the research project Genomik Plus (supported by BMBF, duration: 2006-2009)
• Taking part in an collaborative project (supported by BMWI and AIF) developing a technology for mobile cleansing of tanks, duration: 2006-2008

• Start of the Sino-German research project "Biological plant growth promotion" (funded by BMBF, PTJ ) leading to close collaboration with three Chinese universities und foundation of an Joint venture company

• Start of the collaboration with Belchim Crop Protection, Distribution of the product SanaTerra, a soil conditioner based upon Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42
• Start of research project ZIM, analysis of the antagonist potential of Enterobacter radicincitans and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens against soil-borne phytopathogenic fungi; duration: 2009-2011

• Foundation of a biomolecular section under the direction of Prof. Dr. Rainer Borriss, former leader of the section Bacteria genetics Humboldt University Berlin, setup of new labs with security level 1
• Presentation of ABiTEP GmbH on the 7th BMBF-Forum for sustainability introducing its biological plant growth promoting strategies for Chinese agriculture
• Start of the research project GenoMik-Transfer "PATHCONTROL", aim: biological control of soil-borne phytopathogenic Rhizoctonia solani by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; duration: 2010-2012
• Extending of production line by a new F6 Fermenter from BBI Biotechnik GmbH

• Start of the research project "Transplore verticillium" for development and application of a patented method to regulate strawberry wilt caused by verticillium biologically
• Purchase of the property Glienicker Weg 185 (headquarter), expansion of research- and productionarea
• Increase in employees up to 16 permanent workers, besides trainees and diploma candidates

Strains are listed in the German Strain-Collection of Microorganism and Cellcultures DSMZ (Deutsche Stammsammlung für Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen), Braunschweig.
All products of ABiTEP GmbH are registered trademarks of ABiTEP GmbH.