Two Crop Protection Partners Divest Postharvest Solutions Company

Sumitomo Chemical and Valent BioSciences have announced Pace International will become part of AgroFresh Solutions.

Sumitomo shares this decision comes as part of its strategic realignment efforts and both companies plan to develop a strategic research collaboration with AgroFresh. 

“The integration of the Pace business with AgroFresh represents a step forward for both companies, enabling the creation of a postharvest solutions platform with stronger global reach, customer service and innovation capabilities,” said Rodrigo Cifuentes, COO of Pace. “The impressive portfolio of postharvest solutions that both companies bring together will set new standards in packinghouse efficiencies, quality and freshness not only for its customers, but across the entire fresh produce supply chain. As we move forward together, we are confident that this partnership will bring exciting possibilities to our combined employee, customer, and partner base.”

The addition of Pace’s operations will help AgroFresh expand into North and South American fruit-growing regions. And because Pace specializes in edible fruit coatings, fungicides, cleaners and sanitizers, sustainable storage treatments and application equipment, Clint Lewis, AgroFresh CEO, says customers can anticipate a broader offering that is better able to meet the needs of their specific crops and operations.

“We are excited to integrate the Pace business into AgroFresh, as we drive forward together with a shared vision to be the postharvest company of choice for customers globally,” Lewis said. “Bringing together our two companies allows us to better address the complete needs of customers across a broad array of crops, markets and at every step in the fresh supply chain, ultimately helping customers produce and deliver an abundant supply of quality fresh produce, sustainably.”