Arysta LifeScience Brazil invests in R&D for global use

Arysta LifeScience announced investments in new projects at its Agricultural Research and Development Center (CPDA) located in the city of Pereiras, São Paulo, Brazil. Investments will include the hiring of additional researchers to meet the demand for new products and development of formulations. The forecasted investment in the areas of R&D and Regulatory exceeds US$8 million at CPDA in 2012.

The CPDA acts as a global hub for technology development and technical training for all of the Arysta LifeScience business units. It occupies an area exceeding 70 hectares in a region that allows trials and tests throughout the year. This enables the assessment of new crop protection solutions not only for Latin America, but also for other regions in which Arysta LifeScience operates throughout the world.

In addition, the CPDA has been certified with the GLP - Good Laboratory Practice - issued by INMETRO - National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality - which allows its results of testing of pesticides residues to be recognized and accepted by official institutions of Brazil and the OECD countries (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).

"The Agricultural Research and Development Center is expected to become an international center of excellence for Arysta LifeScience worldwide,” said Flavio Prezzi, president & CEO of Arysta LifeScience Latin America. “Our goal is to develop innovative products that provide greater productivity and profitability for farmers, contributing to a more effective control of pests and diseases."

The selection of Brazil as the main unit for investment reflects the importance of the Latin American region for Arysta LifeScience. "Brazil represents one third of the operations of Arysta LifeScience in the world. Among the six business units worldwide, the Latin America Business Unit represents nearly 40 percent, and Brazil alone accounts for 65 percent of the business," added Prezzi.

These new investments in R&D are part of a series of initiatives that includes plans for global expansion of Arysta LifeScience towards the goal of doubling in size over the next few years.