Biotalys and AgroFresh partner on sustainable biological fungicides

Belguim-based agricultural technology company Biotalys and Philadelphia-based post-harvest solutions company AgroFresh Solutions recently announced a collaboration to develop and commercialize sustainable biological fungicides for post-harvest use.

As fungicides are essential to protect fresh produce after harvest, the partnership will work to add environmentally friendly biological solutions to the industry and meet the needs of markets around the world, the companies said.

“Post-harvest freshness solutions are especially critical for high-value and highly perishable crops, where even small losses can result in major food waste and economic impact,” said Clint Lewis, CEO of AgroFresh.

Once harvested, fresh produce loses its natural defenses and becomes highly susceptible to spoilage caused by fungi. These pathogens thrive in common storage and transit environments and can spread rapidly, making consistent and effective disease management essential, the companies said.

“The global post-harvest fungicide market is valued at $300 million,” said Kevin Helash, CEO of Biotalys. “Our expansion into this critical segment represents an important step for Biotalys and demonstrates the significant potential and versatility of our protein-based AGROBODY platform to help preserve food quality.”

The companies aim to help the fresh produce industry meet today’s challenges and adapt to the changing needs of markets worldwide, with sustainable solutions that keep food fresher for longer and reduce global food waste.

“This collaboration represents an important step forward in expanding our innovation pipeline with novel, sustainable technologies that preserve freshness, reduce waste and support the success of produce suppliers around the world,” Lewis says.