The new center leverages the company's R&D expertise with state-of-the-art laboratories to create a new technology hub in Latin America.
PHILADELPHIA, June 7, 2022 – AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. (“AgroFresh” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: AGFS), a global AgTech innovator providing a range of solutions, digital technologies and services to improve the quality and extend the shelf life of fresh produce, today announced the opening of a new global innovation center in Rancagua, Chile. The new center will be staffed by researchers and operations teams and will support growers, mills, shippers and retailers across Latin America with customized technical and operational support services, and post-harvest solutions to help keep produce fresher longer, reduce food waste and conserve valuable natural resources.
Chile exports more than 2.6 million tons of fruit per year to over 100 countries, making it one of the world’s leading exporters. The country is also at the forefront of adopting new crop production technologies and practices – in fact, it was the first to commercialize SmartFresh™, AgroFresh’s leading ethylene management solution, more than 20 years ago. The center will enable customers across the Latin American region to take advantage of the experience and problem-solving capabilities of AgroFresh’s scientific experts, helping to improve protection against pathogens, maintain the quality of fruits and vegetables, extend shelf life, minimize post-harvest loss and waste.
Edgardo Castaneda, Vice President of Operations, says: “Scientific operational excellence is key to providing high-quality services to our customers and with this new center we will be better able to support the growing demand for products in the region. In addition, with its new state-of-the-art laboratory and increased capacity, the Rancagua innovation center will serve as a technical hub for the region and the world.”
The center will also be home to some of the world’s leading postharvest R&D scientists. AgroFresh will use the innovation center to continue developing its leading freshness product and digital solutions, such as Harvista™, ActiMist™ and FreshCloud™. Additionally, the center will include Control-Tec™ ECO application equipment that has helped cherry customers in Chile reduce water use by up to 60 % during the packing process.
Narciso Vivot, Commercial Director for Latin America, says, “Our top priority is to serve our customers and work closely to create customized solutions that help protect fresh produce throughout the supply chain. We are excited to leverage these new capabilities to support more customers and a wider variety of crops in the future.”
The Rancagua Innovation Centre is one of seven such centres that AgroFresh has on four continents, in key fruit production regions. More than 40 scientists work around the world, alongside universities, customers and research partners to analyse more than two million fruits each year. Key findings and learnings are then collected and shared with key stakeholders around the world. AgroFresh scientists routinely interact with customers and work together to help improve product freshness and quality, as well as reduce food waste to minimise the impact on the environment.
About AgroFresh
AgroFresh (Nasdaq: AGFS) is an AgTech innovator and global leader on a mission to prevent food loss/waste and conserve the planet’s resources by providing a range of science-based solutions, data-driven digital technologies and high-touch customer services. AgroFresh supports growers, produce processors and retailers with solutions across the entire food supply chain to improve the quality and extend the shelf life of fresh produce. The AgroFresh organization has 40 years of post-harvest experience across a broad range of crops, including revolutionizing the apple industry with the SmartFresh™ quality system for over 20 years. This is powered by a comprehensive portfolio that includes plant coatings, equipment and proprietary solutions that help improve the freshness supply chain from harvest to home. For more information on AgroFresh’s produce freshness solutions, please visit www.agrofresh.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Commercial Director, Latin America AgroFresh
Narciso Vivot
[email protected]
AgroFresh Media Contact
Mary Roberts
[email protected]
