The mechanical
tilling of the future
aerotill injects lubricating air through the plow body, reducing traction force by up to 40% and cutting Total Cost of Ownership by at least 31%.
Publicly funded · exist programme · Patent pending in EU, USA & China
98.5% of farmland in Germany is subject to tilling
Tilling is essential — but today's plows waste nearly half of all input energy through friction. aerotill solves exactly that.
Tilling procedures are a core element of farming…
~48% of input energy is lost through friction!
The prototype reduces traction force by up to 40%
The plow body is fitted with holes through which lubricating air is introduced between the soil and the plow surface.
💡 How it works
Air is injected through precision holes in the plow body, creating a thin film that lubricates soil against steel.
- ✓Air injection through plow body holes
- ✓Reduces traction force up to 40%
- ✓Compatible with standard tractor hitches
- ✓Patent pending: EU, USA & China
The TCO is decreased by at least 31%
Key benefits at a glance
Massive Diesel Savings
At 40% friction reduction, diesel costs drop significantly.
Lower Maintenance
Reduced resistance means less wear on drivetrain components.
Smaller Tractor Needed
Less draft force means a smaller, cheaper tractor suffices.
Sustainable Farming
Less diesel burned means lower carbon footprint per hectare.
A + €500M European market reachable from multiple angles
aerotill can serve farmers, dealers, spare part manufacturers, and tillage implement OEMs.
Global TAM estimated at €2.2B
aerotill reaches the market through 4 channels
An ambitious roadmap driving real progress
From A-sample to 250-unit production run and Agritechnica debut.
Company formation & EXIST funding
Company officially formed. Public funding secured through the EXIST programme.
Development A-sample (plow)
First functional prototype of the air-injection plow system.
Field tests & B-sample development
Field testing of A-sample. Parallel B-sample development for plow and cultivator.
Agritechnica medal · Seed Round closed
Award at Europe's largest agri machinery fair. Seed round closed.
Production facilities · C-sample
External production secured. C-sample completed. Pilot customer field tests.
Manufacturing 250 samples
First production run of 250 units across plow and cultivator products.
aerotill is made up of an interdisciplinary team
Engineering, law, agriculture and business expertise — united by a vision to eliminate wasted energy in farming.
Julius Wendling M.Sc., M.Sc.
CEO & Co-Founder
- › PhD researcher in agricultural engineering @ Technical University of Munich
- › Master degrees @ RWTH Aachen and Tsinghua University
- › Bachelor in Aerospace Engineering
- › 2 patent families
Philipp Euchner M.Sc.
Co-Founder
- › PhD researcher in hydrogen technologies @ RWTH Aachen
- › Master degree @ RWTH Aachen
- › Bachelor in Manufacturing Technology
- › +4 years of experience in management consultancy and product development
Philipp van Gels LL.M.
Co-Founder
- › PhD researcher in tax law @ University of Potsdam
- › Fully qualified lawyer
- › Master of Laws (Tax) @ Ruhr-Universität Bochum
- › +10 years of experience in corporate law (M&A / PE)
- › +15 years of experience in digital content and public relations
Dr. Ignatz Wendling MBA
Senior Advisor
- › Head of R&D and Digitalization @ ERO Viticulture
- › Former Engineering Manager @ John Deere
- › +30 years in agricultural engineering
- › 16 patent families worldwide
- › Formerly owning agricultural contracting business
Advised by experienced experts
World-class scientists, industry leaders and a public funding programme backing aerotill from lab to global market.
Prof. Dr. Reinhart Poprawe
Scientific Advisor
- › Former Head of Fraunhofer ILT (20+ years)
- › Internationally recognized laser technology pioneer
- › Honorary Professor, Tsinghua University
- › Recipient of the Arthur L. Schawlow Award
Prof. Dr. Peter Pickel
Industry Advisor
- › 15+ years leading External Relations at John Deere (EU)
- › Extensive network across OEMs, suppliers and industry bodies
- › Former Chairman, VDI Agricultural Engineering
- › Board member, Max Eyth Society
Prof. Dr. Heinz Bernhardt
exist Mentor
Agricultural Systems Engineering (TUM)
- › Academic lead and mentor within the EXIST program
- › Long-standing expertise in soil mechanics and cultivation systems
- › Supports technology validation and industry transfer
Let's Talk
Whether you're a farmer, dealer, or investor — we'd love to hear from you.
info@aerotill.com
Location
Lindenallee 6, 55590 Meisenheim
Funded by
exist — Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Energy