UPL Ltd, a global leader in sustainable agriculture and OpenAg(TM), has announced a long-term strategic collaboration with Chr. Hansen, a global bioscience company, to develop microbial-based biosolutions (including biostimulants and biopesticides) to help farmers around the world manage pests and diseases and improve crop quality and yield.
Through this collaboration, UPL will leverage its global footprint to conduct research and identify opportunities and product concepts that solve growers' problems. Based on these findings, Chr. Hansen will develop biological products based on their microbial capabilities, and UPL will register and market these products through its extensive global distribution network.
UPL is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of biosolutions and earlier this year launched 'NPP - Natural Plant Protection' - a new global business unit that supports UPL's comprehensive portfolio of natural and bio-derived agricultural inputs and technologies.
Redefining sustainability
Vicente Gongora, Chief Marketing Officer of UPL Ltd. said: "Bio-solutions are a central pillar of our global goal and work to redefine sustainability - for food systems, for farmers and for our environment. Building on the introduction of net primary production earlier this year, we are proud to partner with Chr. Hansen to further expand our product and technology portfolio to provide new and sustainable solutions for more farming communities."
"Consolidating our distribution networks and R&D facilities alongside Chr. Hansen, with Chr. Hansen's unique experience and expertise in microbiology provides an excellent opportunity to change the game for farmers and sustainable agriculture worldwide. We look forward to sharing more about the biological solutions we are developing for the future, and we are excited about the legacy we will build together."
Kim Christensen, Vice President of Plant Health at Chr. Hansen: "UPL is a major distributor of biosolutions worldwide. Combining this with Chr. Hansen's significant innovations in research and development, as well as our unique microbial capabilities and ability to grow our own bacteria, means better, targeted products that can reach the market faster. The partnership is an important step in our 2025 strategy to create a better world naturally. In essence, the collaboration aims to build a product portfolio that has farmers' best interests at heart."
The partnership between UPL and Chr. Hansen has already identified several projects of importance to farmers worldwide and aims to develop a product range for all major crops that will enable farmers to control plant diseases and increase yields. The companies expect the first registrations to occur by the end of 2022.
For more information: www.upl-ltd.com