Novozymes and AgroFresh form partnership to unlock the potential
of biotechnology to improve post-harvest quality and reduce food
waste.
RALEIGH,
N.C., June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/
-- Novozymes, the leading biotech powerhouse, and AgroFresh, a
global leader in post-harvest freshness solutions, are forming a
research and commercialization partnership towards developing
biological solutions that can improve post-harvest food quality and
minimize waste by fighting fungal pathogens. Resulting products,
which will be developed for post-harvest applications, will benefit
growers, retailers, and consumers, as well as the environment.
"This is a very exciting venture into a groundbreaking area for
Novozymes – with the intention to satisfy an increasing consumer
demand for fruits and vegetables with less food waste and less
impact to the environment," says Thomas
Stenfeldt Batchelor, Vice President, Agriculture Marketing
& Strategy. "With great synergies, that include Novozymes'
expertise in pioneering bioinnovation and AgroFresh's R&D
capabilities and application knowledge, we will explore the
development of viable and sustainable post-harvest solutions to
also alleviate significant supply chain issues."
"AgroFresh and Novozymes share very similar missions around
sustainability and the introduction of differentiated technologies
to address unmet needs across the food chain," says Duncan Aust, Chief Technology Officer,
AgroFresh. "We are excited to partner with Novozymes to
pioneer the use of biological solutions in the post-harvest sector
to reduce food loss and waste and help improve the quality of our
food system overall."
Around one third of food produced is lost or wasted before it
even gets to the consumer, with fruits and vegetables accounting
for over half of this amount. As soon as crops are harvested and
removed from their growing environment, they begin to lose quality
and eventually deteriorate. Fresh crops, such as fruits,
vegetables, and flowers, are particularly vulnerable to microbial
attack and subsequent losses during this post-harvest stage, which
includes cooling, cleaning, sorting, and packing of the crop.
Perfect synergies
Novozymes and AgroFresh anticipate that development of new
bioproducts will be accelerated by the combination of advanced
biotechnologies from Novozymes and AgroFresh's deep scientific
expertise in post-harvest solutions, global commercial footprint,
and unparalleled portfolio of integrated solutions to help maintain
freshness and quality of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Potential to meet growing
challenges
With increasing demands on the global agricultural industry from
consumer, economic, and environmental perspectives, the partnership
has the potential to create new sustainable products.
"The partnership with AgroFresh brings us the opportunity to
expand our BioAg offerings into the post-harvest sector, just at a
time when fruit and vegetable producers face some of their toughest
challenges ever," adds Novozymes' Thomas Stenfeldt Batchelor.
"We are excited to combine the unique industry and technology
insights and scientific expertise provided by both organizations in
the development of novel, sustainable solutions for the control of
fungal decay in post-harvest fruits, vegetables, and flowers, with
the shared goal of minimizing food loss, improving quality, and
increasing the overall sustainable footprint of the industries that
we collectively serve," finishes Duncan
Aust of AgroFresh.
Facts about the partnership
- Novozymes and AgroFresh have entered into a strategic
collaboration agreement
that will explore co-development of biological based solutions to
control fungal pathogens in fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and
will leverage the AgroFresh commercial footprint.
- AgroFresh will lead the commercialization of these new
solutions for post-harvest application in fruits, vegetables, and
flowers.
- Novozymes' BioAg business produces biological solutions
for both broad acre and specialty crops. Its products increase
plant productivity and protect crops from pests so farmers can
produce more food, feed, and fuel with fewer inputs and on less
land.
About Novozymes
Novozymes is the world leader in biological solutions. Together
with customers, partners and the global community, we improve
industrial performance while preserving the planet's resources and
helping build better lives. As the world's largest provider of
enzyme and microbial technologies, our bioinnovation enables higher
agricultural yields, low-temperature washing, energy-efficient
production, renewable fuel, and many other benefits that we rely on
today and in the future. We call it Rethink Tomorrow.
www.novozymes.com
NASDAQ OMX: NZYM-B • 6,500 employees • DKK 14,5 billion turnover • 30+ industries • 700+
products
About AgroFresh Solutions
Inc. (NASDAQ: AGFS)
AgroFresh is an AgTech innovator and global leader with 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, packers, and retailers with solutions
across the food supply chain to enhance 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 more than 20 years. This is powered by a
comprehensive portfolio that includes plant-based coatings,
equipment and proprietary solutions that help improve the freshness
supply chain from harvest to the home. www.agrofresh.com
Media Relations
Global
Frederik Bjørndal
Phone: +1 646 671 3897
TFBH@novozymes.com
Lina Danstrup
Phone: +45 30 77 05 52
LinD@novozymes.com
Investor Relations
Carl Ahlgren
Phone: +1 919 702 6144
CXAl@novozymes.com
Tobias Bjorklund
Phone: +45 30 77 86 82
TobB@novozymes.com
Ulrik Wu Svare
Phone: +45 30 77 31 87
AgroFresh
Media Relations
Mary Roberts
mroberts@buzzmonkeyspr.com
Investor Relations
Jeff Sonnek
jeff.sonnek@icrinc.com
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SOURCE Novozymes and AgroFresh Solutions, Inc.