Chitosan biostimulants, tuned for every application
We produce chitosan from sustainably sourced European crab, precisely tuned in degree of deacetylation and molecular weight to perform as a seed treatment, foliar spray, or soil biostimulant.
Backed by ~10M DKK in GUDP research funding
Research with DTU Food & Aarhus University
Backed by Delphinus Ventures, EIFO & Rockstart
Sourced from sustainably fished European crab
The Science
Why chitosan works as a biostimulant
Chitosan’s effects on plants and seeds are among the best-documented in the biostimulant literature. The mechanisms are general to the molecule, but performance depends on degree of deacetylation and molecular weight, which is exactly what we tune.
Induced resistance
Plants recognise chitosan and chitin fragments as signals of fungal or insect attack, switching on natural defence pathways against pathogens and pests. This is widely reported across crops in the literature.
Germination & root support
Used as a seed treatment, chitosan is associated with more uniform germination and stronger early root development.
Stress tolerance
Several studies report improved resilience to abiotic stress such as drought, cold, heat and salinity, though effect sizes vary considerably by crop and application method.
Carrier & synergist
Its natural film- and gel-forming properties make chitosan a promising carrier for co-formulating with beneficial microbes, a mechanism we’re actively trialling.
Our Chitosan
Three grades, matched to your application
We adjust molecular weight and charge density so each biostimulant mode gets the right chitosan. See the products page for currently available DDA, MW and viscosity specs.
See the products page for full specifications by grade. All grades appear as off-white to light-tan powder.
Applications
Where our chitosan fixes your problems
Our grades are being developed and trialled across the three biostimulant modes buyers ask us about most.
Seed coating
A chitosan film applied at the seed-treatment stage, our current focus for pea and potato trials (see below).
Foliar spray
Sprayable formulations for inducing resistance, reducing fungal attack and supporting plant vigour through the season. Current focus: early and late blight in potatoes.
Soil & root treatment
Soil-applied chitosan to support rhizosphere activity and root-zone health.
Our Impact
Finally, a crabby problem that pays off
The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) is classified by the IUCN as one of the 100 worst invasive species. We source it with local Danish fishers using passive gear, turning an ecological burden into renewable feedstock for our chitosan.
Every fraction of the crab is valorised: protein for animal feed, shell compounds for biostimulants. Zero-waste ambition, circular bioeconomy.
Our Trials
Early results: peas & potatoes
We’re upfront about where our own trial data stands today: a completed lab trial for peas, and active field trials for potatoes.
Pea seed coating
Our first trial applied a DecaBio chitosan seed coating to peas and tracked plant development over five weeks under controlled lab conditions. Early growth signals were promising enough to move to field validation.
Potato seed treatment
We’re running field trials in Danish potato production covering both a chitosan seed coating and a foliar application aimed at early and late blight. Together they measure yield, tuber quality and disease pressure.
These are our own early-stage results. We share them so you can judge the evidence yourself, and we’ll report field outcomes as the 2026 season completes.
For Researchers
Built for people who want to test it themselves
Full technical specifications, samples for trial work, and a team genuinely interested in what you find, including results we don’t love.
Get pricing for your grade & volume
Tell us your application and roughly how much you need, and we’ll come back with grade recommendations and a quote, usually within one working day.
Get in Touch
Talk to our team
Request a sample, ask a technical question, or discuss a pricing quote or development partnership. We typically reply within one working day.
Request a sample
Tell us about your application, and we’ll prepare a sample tuned to your needs, whether that’s a small research quantity or a pilot-scale batch. Our team typically responds within one business day.
Contact details
Contact personLeander Hessner, CEO
Emaillh@decameal.com
Phone+45 20 81 26 40
GrindstedSlagterivej 2, 7200 Grindsted, Denmark
AarhusAgro Food Park 13, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark