Paris, France and Tiel, The Netherlands
February 5, 2014
AgroFresh, a fully owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company and a global business unit of Dow AgroSciences LLC, and Van Amerongen CA-Technology, an international leader in controlled atmosphere (CA) equipment, are pleased to announce the signing of a Letter of Intent for a business alliance to market a new technology for Advanced Control Respiration (ACR) that will combine new equipment and control systems with a comprehensive set of fruit quality management services.
This business alliance will be based on a combination of Van Amerongen’s sound expertise in controlled atmosphere storage equipment, software and machinery development, and AgroFresh’s extensive knowledge of fruit quality, post-harvest physiology, shelf life extension and ethylene control, based on more than 10 years of commercialization of its SmartFresh(SM) Quality System.
“We are pleased to join forces with Van Amerongen,” said José Soares de Pina, President of AgroFresh. “Van Amerongen is renowned for its continuous strong investment in R & D, designed to bring the latest innovative CA technologies to the market. Their knowledge and the reliability of their systems, programs and equipment make them an excellent choice for this alliance. The combination of Van Amerongen’s equipment technology with AgroFresh’s vast experience in post-harvest disorder control, fruit quality and shelf life extension will bring unique synergies and benefits to the fresh produce industry, adding significant value to our customers’ operations.”
“We are a company of inventors, explorers, engineers and visionaries,” said Wim van den Berg, CEO of Van Amerongen: “We have always worked towards raising standards and focusing on excellence. We know what moves the market. Through the knowledge we are acquiring continuously, we are staying a step ahead for our customers. Avoiding or minimizing risks for our customers is what we are aiming at with our technical solutions and services.”
“AgroFresh is a science and technology company and our business model is rooted in a close, direct relationship with customers, which puts AgroFresh in a strong position to offer personalized advice and services that cater directly to the specific needs of growers, packers and shippers,” said José Soares de Pina.
“Through this alliance, Van Amerongen benefits from AgroFresh’s global channel, market strength and broad post-harvest expertise. The industry will get real benefits from this business arrangement, as AgroFresh will contribute to optimize the results in terms of fruit quality maintenance and waste reduction,” said Wim van den Berg.
The innovative ACR technology will be commercialized globally as an AgroFresh brand, and will undergo significant market validation in the upcoming 2014/2015 seasons.
Both companies are excited about the potential of this alliance and working together to benefit the fresh produce sector.
About Dow AgroSciences and AgroFresh
Dow AgroSciences, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is committed to discovering, developing, and bringing to market crop protection and plant biotechnology solutions for the growing world. Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company and had annual global sales of $7.1 billion in 2013.
Based in Philadelphia, USA, AgroFresh is a global industry leader in advanced proprietary technologies for the horticultural and agronomic markets. Operating as a fully owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company and a global business unit of Dow AgroSciences, AgroFresh offers an innovative portfolio of products and services which enhance the freshness, quality and value of fresh produce. Its flagship product is the SmartFreshSM Quality System, a freshness protection technology proven to maintain firmness, texture and appearance of fruits during storage and transport. SmartFresh™ is currently commercialized in over 40 countries worldwide.
About Van Amerongen
Van Amerongen CA Technology specializes in the storage of fruit and vegetable and is worldwide market leader and innovator in the Controlled Atmosphere technology. It is a Dutch full-service company which designs, installs and provides machinery for adjusting air in cold stores, and keeps fruit and vegetables fresh for two to four times longer. Through an extensive network of agents and distributors, Van Amerongen is active in over 50 countries worldwide, with offices in The Netherlands, Poland, India, Portugal, Turkey and Chile. A substantial part of its operations incorporates the development of new storage solutions and equipment, based on the very latest scientific insights. In addition, the company works continuously on improving the energy-efficiency and sustainability of its equipments.
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