UPL invests R$2.5 million in global nematode R&D center in Brazil

UPL invested US$500,000, equivalent to R$2.5 million, to expand and modernize its research and development center in Pereiras, in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil. The unit will now have seven laboratories and help generate innovations in phytosanitary defense and biosolutions for Brazilian and global agriculture by becoming the company's global nematode R&D center.

“Brazil is one of the largest food producers. It has the area, climate and water to further increase global food supplies. UPL is intensifying investments in the country and reinforcing its innovation base, in line with its OpenAg strategy. The development of Pereiras has become a reference in nematodes and will help to not only validate technologies for the Brazilian market, but also for global supplies,” said Mike Frank, president and global COO of UPL, who came to Brazil for the inauguration of the research center.

The unit occupies an area of 70 hectares, has 30 dedicated professionals and has been completely remodeled, with modern and complete laboratories for entomology, phytopathology, herbicides, nematology, seed treatment, application technologies and product handling. There are five more laboratories than in the previous structure, which already had areas for the study of insects or entomology, as well as for manipulation and carrying out experimental research.

"The center simulates both commercial and traditional growing conditions, allowing us to efficiently test the performance of our global solutions that are developed at the OpenAg Center in the United States. The improvement of this process ensures that products offered by farmers ensure excellent results in the field,” said Rogério Castro, CEO of UPL Brasil.

Castro stressed that the expansion of the research center supports UPL's commitment to the Brazilian and global agricultural markets. “Through our OpenAg concept, we are effectively transforming ourselves into a company open to innovation and partnerships to reimagine sustainability. Through this, we can contribute on several fronts, such as cost rationalization for producers, crop quality, reducing environmental effects and increasing food supply to meet the planet's growing demand,” he added.

UPL has nine global research and development centers. In addition to Pereiras, the company has a unit in Ituverava (SP), two in India and others in Spain, Indonesia, England, Mexico and Vietnam.