AgroFresh, a leader in postharvest preservation: Ingredient 1-MCP for core product SmartFresh is approved in Japan

AgroFresh, the world's leading fresh fruit and vegetable post-harvest preservation technology company, announced that 1—Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), the main ingredient in its product SmartFresh, has been officially approved by the Japanese government and can be widely used in the preservation of key crops such as broccoli. This breakthrough not only provides new quality management tools for global growers and exporters, but also marks a significant step forward for the fresh produce industry

The SmartFresh™ quality system now offers two products - SmartFresh SmartTabsTM and SmartFresh ProTabs - to suit the different quality management needs of growers and exporters. Especially for crops of high economic value such as broccoli, where consumer demand is growing rapidly in the Japanese market, this approval undoubtedly opens up new market opportunities for exporters.

AgroFresh noted that the approval of the 1-MCP active ingredient is not only an affirmation of product quality, but also opens up new business opportunities for exporters in regions such as Latin America. SmartFresh not only meets high product efficiency requirements, but also contributes to a consistent supply of high-quality fresh produce to the global market.

SmartFresh technology significantly prolongates the freshness of broccoli and other suitable crops by maintaining their color, moisture and brittleness. This provides growers and packers with greater operational flexibility during storage and transportation, and ultimately increases economic gains. In addition, the technology reduces reliance on ice, reducing composition and environmental impact by reducing water and energy consumption in cold storage facilities.

Since 2003, AgroFresh has been commercializing its SmartFresh (1—Methylcyclopropene) technology, first applied to apple preservation. Since then, the technology has expanded to include pears, blueberries, cherries, avocados and stone fruits, and new applications have been developed for field management, storage and transportation, such as field spraying.

As an international agricultural technology innovator, AgroFresh Solutions is focused on providing solutions and digital technologies to enhance the quality and shelf life of agricultural products. In addition to ethylene management technology, the company is also working on a variety of solutions including biocides, coatings and digital platforms, such as FreshCloud™ for quality inspection and Strella sensors for indoor wireless monitoring. Recently, Sumitomo Chemical and Valent BioSciences LLC announced that its subsidiary Pace International LLC and its overseas operations will be spun off and integrated into AgroFresh, further expanding the company's global reach.