for railways and the petrochemical industry. In municipal use, pesticide applications are no longer permitted. In many other countries, legislation is more lenient, reducing the urgency to look for alternatives to chemicals. However the perception of our society towards pesticides is very comparable.”
Alternative methods only work at the surface“ With the Dutch ban on chemicals outside agriculture, the market changed completely and the use of herbicides disappeared. The various techniques, like burning, brushing, hot water or steam, that replaced them only have a surface effect, are very labour-intensive and are still environmentally burdensome.”
“ When we look at existing methods such as brushing, burning and hot water, the question remains how effective they really are. Where is the evidence? Moreover, the impact on soil life and biodiversity has not been investigated. In my view, these are all essential aspects when introducing a new product to the market.”
Wimmers explains that development is not only to produce a product, but also to tests their effectiveness— not just their intended effect, but also their impact on surrounding flora and fauna, as well as on the people applying them as well as by-standers.
Root-level action According to Wimmers, nothing with true root-level action had previously been brought to market.“ And that is exactly what comes closest to the effect of traditional chemical solutions. Electricity emerged as the most powerful method. However, there are several factors to consider, such as underground cabling and the safety of by-standers and operators. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king— but that also means we miss a great deal of knowledge and expertise. Ultimately, success is determined by the person who operates the machine: they have all the tools to achieve a good result.”
That is why training and guidance are essential— creating awareness that this involves a new mode of action, so users understand what to expect and what risks come with working at high voltages.“ That will determine the success of the product. And during the guidance we provide, we ourselves also gain new insights to further develop the machine.”
Drawing board versus practice Wimmersson operates with two revenue models. On the one hand, the company focuses on the control of invasive species; on the other, on treating paved surfaces to combat unwanted weeds. For years, a prototype of the eWeeding Roller was used to gain experience and finetune the machine.
For example, the original design had a complex starting procedure and no traction. The starting procedure
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has been simplified to make it easy for operators. The driving assistance is now available as option allows the machine’ s speed to be precisely controlled and maximizes the efficacy.
To identify these kinds of improvements, Wimmersson allowed customers to test the machine.“ This not only yielded valuable insights, but also led to sustainable customer relationships. We now have a core group of around fifty customers who have gained experience with the machine and are in possession of an eWeeding Roller since 2025”.
No impact on soil life whatsoever Wimmersson has also commissioned extensive research into the impact of the method on soil life. This is a topic that is increasingly discussed, especially in the control of invasive species. What does it do to soil organisms and surrounding vegetation? While everything the blade of the eWeeding Roller passes over is affected, there is absolutely no impact on soil life, insects or other organisms.
Because the eWeeding Roller heats plant cells using electricity, the weeds die off completely, including the roots. And even after the weeds are gone, the soil remains alive and healthy. The high voltage travels through the roots without affecting underground organisms.
Existing complaints are a thing of the past In addition, the eWeeding Roller emits no CO 2, leaves no harmful residues and therefore does not harm nature. When you use a brushing machine, small stones are easily flung around, which can scratch cars, for example. Moreover, the machine is fully electric— so no roaring engine causing disturbance early in the morning or among shoppers. With this method, all of those complaints are a thing of the past.
Pavement and Gutter- 70 days after treatment www. eweeding. com
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