Not all biostimulants are organic: what growers should know
We are pleased to announce that our organic certification has once again been successfully renewed. A perfect moment to briefly explain what “organic” means in this context — and, just as importantly, what it does not mean.
Because despite what the name might suggest:
not every biostimulant is automatically permitted for use in organic agriculture.
Did you know… “organic” is not the same as “biostimulant”?
Biostimulants and organic agriculture are often mentioned in the same breath, but they are not the same thing.
Biostimulant describes what a product does: it supports plant physiological processes and improves nutrient efficiency and stress tolerance.
Organic refers to a legal certification framework, with strict rules on both raw materials and production processes.
A biostimulant can therefore be:
naturally derived
produced via biotechnological processes
and still not qualify for use in organic agriculture
This is not a matter of quality — it is a regulatory distinction.
For the sake of clarity: our certification formally refers to “products permitted in organic agriculture according to Regulations (EU) 2018/848 and 2021/1165”, as assessed by TÜV NORD Integra.
This confirms that the relevant Aphasol products comply with the regulatory framework governing inputs authorised for use in organic production systems.
One technology, two products
At Damagro, we work with a non-chemical hydrolysis process.
This process avoids the use of harsh chemicals and delivers biostimulants with:
high concentrations of bioactive amino acids and peptides
a clean and controlled composition
no unwanted residues
This technology forms the backbone of our entire Aphasol product range.
Aphasol (standard)
Our standard Aphasol is widely used in conventional agriculture and combines strong biostimulant performance with an exceptionally controlled production process.
Aphasol Bio
For organic production systems, we developed Aphasol Bio, fully compliant with the applicable European organic regulations.
So what is the actual difference?
The difference between Aphasol and Aphasol Bio is not in the final product performance, but in the process choices required to meet organic regulatory standards.
In the standard process, pH is tightly controlled to optimise enzyme activity.
Under organic regulations, certain pH stabilisation methods are not permitted.
To compensate, Aphasol Bio is produced using additional enzymatic steps.
The outcome?
Identical amino acid concentration
The same amino acid profile
The same biostimulant performance
The same quality and field results
In short: Aphasol Bio is compositionally equivalent to Aphasol, but produced in line with the specific regulatory framework of organic agriculture.
Transparency as a principle
We believe that strong products go hand in hand with clear communication.
That is why we deliberately choose:
one robust core technology
clear product positioning
and full transparency on what organic certification does — and does not — imply
This allows every grower — conventional or organic — to rely on a solution that fits their production system, without compromise on quality or efficacy.
