Tower Farm's BotaniX brand combines aeroponic cultivation, post-harvest stabilization and zero-waste innovation to deliver high-performance plant actives for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and nutrition.
The company's model is built on transforming medicinal plants into potent and traceable ingredients ready for industrial use. "Growing great plants is only half the battle, keeping their natural power intact is what matters," says Yishai Nissan, Co-Founder and CTO.
© Tower Farm
Selecting the right species
BotaniX applies a multi-criteria framework when deciding which plants to grow. The team looks at agronomic feasibility indoors, proven therapeutic or cosmetic efficacy, supply chain fragility and opportunities for full-plant valorization. "We have studied more than 70 plant species but only advanced those that meet strict thresholds," Nissan explains. "That means consistent biomass performance, reproducible molecular profiles and alignment with clear end-use objectives." The criteria also includes the potential to valorize undervalued plant parts such as roots, stems and floral fractions, which can be fully processed using BotaniX's systems. The team also looks at responsiveness to stress optimization and light or temperature modulation in aeroponic conditions.
"We are especially focused on species with centuries of traditional use that remain underexplored in modern formulations," Nissan says. "By leveraging aeroponics, we can unlock their full potential, including molecular cascades often missed in conventional cultivation." Some of these species are already progressing through pre-clinical and clinical validation, while others represent entirely new botanical actives that have never been used at scale due to environmental or regulatory barriers. "The world of medicinal plants is vast. There are more than 200,000 species and over 400,000 known bioactive molecules, which gives us a near-limitless field for innovation."
© Tower Farm
Post-harvest stabilization
One of the most important lessons for BotaniX came during the Ulé project with Shiseido, working alongside ethnobotanist Patrice André and luxury brand formulator Frédéric Burtin. "We learned that our clients are focused on formulation, marketing and distribution, not on the complexities of handling fresh plants," Nissan says. "No matter how good the plants are in terms of quality, unit economics or performance, if they are not stabilized correctly they cannot be used."
That insight led the company to design a robust process for stabilizing active compounds. The system is based on two technologies: pressure drying at low temperatures and patented vortex micronization. "Our drying process operates within a low-temperature range, which allows us to stabilize plants without degrading delicate compounds such as terpenes, polyphenols or volatile fractions. Then we use vortex milling to transform the dried biomass into ultra-fine powders between 4 and 100 microns, without exposing the plant material to heat or friction. It is not just about particle size, but increasing surface area, improving solubility, and significantly boosting bioavailability."
This micronization range enables BotaniX to deliver ingredients that perform with reproducible consistency across applications. One of their earliest collaborations went from concept to first industrial batch in just eight months, including all R&D, testing, and regulatory documentation. "That pace is rarely seen in botanical ingredient development," Nissan says.
The stabilized powders often perform like premium inputs even before extraction. Still, BotaniX offers a range of extraction methods to suit different applications, including NaDES (natural deep eutectic solvents), ethanol-based, CO2, and supercritical CO2, as well as ultrasonic techniques. "We continually explore new options in collaboration with our university partners. What makes our system unique is that the raw plant material, once stabilized and micronized, already performs as a high-value ingredient."
Precision cultivation for potency
Vertical farming gives BotaniX complete control over environmental parameters such as light spectra, nutrient dynamics, airflow, and harvest timing. This level of precision allows the team to steer metabolic pathways and maximize the production of secondary metabolites, where most therapeutic and cosmetic actives are found.
"We are working with hyperspectral imaging in collaboration with INRAE, CIRAD, CNRS, and others. By mapping a plant's molecular fingerprint, we can correlate its light-spectrum signature with its phytochemical profile and harvest at the exact moment when key compounds reach their peak potency." Aeroponics provides an additional advantage by producing clean and accessible root systems, allowing for full-plant utilization without contamination from soil. This approach supports the company's zero-waste philosophy and expands formulation possibilities for clients.
© Tower Farm
Traceability from seed to active
Traceability is a cornerstone of BotaniX's approach. Each stage of production is documented, from Nagoya Protocol-compliant genetics through cultivation logs, drying parameters, micronization settings and packaging. Every ingredient is delivered with a complete Certificate of Analysis and technical dossier, including phytochemical analysis, safety and efficacy data and microbiological testing when required. "Because we manage the entire life cycle of the plant, we are able to provide full-chain transparency. Depending on the application, we tailor documentation to align with the highest industry standards."
The company has also conducted Life Cycle Assessment studies with AgroParisTech and the University of California to map the environmental footprint of its full value chain. These studies provide clients with tools for carbon and impact reporting, while allowing BotaniX to improve unit economics by refining resource efficiency at every stage of production.
Sustainability in action
"We follow a strict zero-waste policy," Nissan says. "Every part of the plant, from the roots and stems to the flowers and aerial structures, is valorized based on its functional potential. What is often discarded in traditional agriculture or extraction processes becomes, in our model, a valuable raw material."
For example, roots and fibrous stems, typically excluded from industrial applications, are processed into bioactive powders for ingestibles or used in anti-aging and anti-inflammatory formulations. Biomass left over from fragrance extraction, where up to 97 percent of raw material can be lost, is recovered and micronized into high-performance co-formulants. Leaf veins and secondary petals are upcycled into natural fibers, gelling agents, or stabilizers, replacing synthetic or petroleum-based ingredients in eco-designed formulations.
"These components are already being used by clients to create new product categories, including texture-enhancing botanical powders, binder-free compacts, and functional base materials in clean beauty, haircare, food supplements, and dermatology."
For Nissan, the philosophy guiding BotaniX is straightforward and rooted in pragmatism as much as vision. "We do not chase trends. We build for the long term, focusing on science, industry needs, and the extraordinary diversity of medicinal plants waiting to be unlocked."
© Tower Farm
For more information:
Tower Farm
Yishai Nissan, CTO and Co-Founder
[email protected]
www.towerfarm.fr
www.botanix.tech