An interview with Michael De Decker

Belgian Michael De Decker and Chinese Tim Yaoting Kuang are the founders or EMTI. A company that came to life after noticing the severe problems that come about when using traditional agrochemicals, and the effects on soil, environment and human health. BelExpo conducted a brief interview to find out more about the innovative company.

Hello Michael, can you explain to us how EMTI was created?

So, EMTI originated from the idea to bring sustainable technologies that support biodiversity and reverse the cycle. Tim and I both owned companies prior to EMTI and share the entrepreneurial gene.

What is EMTI currently providing the market with?

EMTI currently imports a gamma of soil improvers, biostimulants and biopesticides to China, that are all 100% plant based, non-toxic and safe for animals, soil and humans. We focus on the Asian market. We are allowed to distribute our products in China via our registered trademark Plant Force (植武 www.plant-force.cn) and we are registered in the agriculture department of the Chinese government.

What projects do you have for the future? What are your dreams for the future of EMTI?

Eventually EMTI wants to be the global leader that provides solutions to everyone who wants to grow her or his food safely and organically. Knowing by growing is the way they contribute to a better environment, and actually reverse the eco footprint, reversing the global cycle and reversing climate change. We are currently active in tests in several provinces and these will grow in 2020. A few examples are blueberries near Shanghai, all types of vegetables near Yinchuan (North China), flower growers in the Shanghai flower port and setting up organic farms we like to support and sponsor near Kunming.

Do you have any advice for others who want to start off on the same adventure as you?

For other international startups, or startups focused on environmental care I have a few words of advice: think about long term goals and work towards them, not short term gains. Search for the right type of experts with the right experience to guide you. Also, we choose our customers carefully because we believe that our customers need to share the same vision about environmental and social care, and about a future where all food is grown organically without chemicals. And last but most importantly, choose the right partner and cofounder.

You contributed to the success of Belgium's garden at Expo 2019 Beijing. What role did you play and what did you take away from the cooperative effort between a governmental agency and your company?

We were very proud to contribute to the Beijing Horticulture World Expo 2019 and the Belgian garden. The fact that our products were used to create a sustainable garden, where insects are welcomed, flowers can thrive and the ecosystem is supported was a big reference project for us.