BPS Agriculture's core technology OpusMAX now OMRI listed

Date:06-10-2021

BPS Agriculture's proprietary carrier technology, OpusMAX, has attained Organic Material Research Institute (OMRI) listing for the United States and Canada, with anticipated listing soon in Mexico. The Texas-based, diversified agriculture holding company currently incubates three start-ups: Verano365, Farm Shield, and PureAcre. OpusMAX is utilized across the portfolio to enhance horticulture and agriculture input performance. The water-based technology, classified by the EPA as an inert ingredient, facilitates the self-assembly of supramolecular structures from active ingredients.

The listing opens the door for OpusMAX to be used in organic production across North America, allowing the companies to develop new and novel organic inputs for direct sale and in collaboration with partners. OMRI is a nonprofit organization that evaluates and designates which input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing. Having attained OMRI listing, OpusMAX can be used in certified organic operations under the USDA National Organic Program, the Canadian Organic Standards, and the Mexican Organic Products Law.

"OpusMAX being designated as OMRI Listed is a significant milestone for all of BPS Agriculture's entities," said John Appel, President of BPS Agriculture. "While it's always been part of our strategy to enter the organic agriculture market, with the double-digit growth the organic sector experienced in 2020, it became increasingly important. We are confident that OpusMAX can enhance the performance of organic inputs."

According to the Organic Trade Association's U.S. Organic Industry Survey for 2021, "Organic food sales surpassed $56 billion, up 12.8 percent - the highest rates recorded in organic in well over a decade."

Herbert Rabalais, President of Verano365, noted that the listing will influence the horticulture start-ups product development roadmap for controlled environment agriculture and greenhouse operations. "Growers are responding to increasing consumer demand for organic products, and the OMRI listing of our core technology allows Verano365 to craft inputs that can advance organic growing practices. We're excited about the opportunities that this opens up for our company and, more importantly, our clients."

OpusMAX utilizes naturally occurring minerals and is anchored by a charged particle. When blended with active ingredients, OpusMAX triggers the formation of supramolecular structures, which localizes the active ingredients and enhances efficacy.

BPS Agriculture's subsidiaries have released four products commercially since 2020. Verano365 launched Evofactor for nutrient management, Thrivedo for improvements in medicinal cannabis production, and Nutrivix Zn|Cu for enhanced root development. PureAcre's Augere product is a nutrient adjuvant for broadacre farmers that prevents nitrate leaching and helps growers get the most out of their fertilizer programs. All four products are designed to meet both environmental and economic pressures that today's growers face.