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AgroFresh and Its Revolutionary Partnerships

AgroFresh Solutions, Inc., an industry leader in post-harvest freshness solutions, is on a mission to revolutionize the fresh produce sector with its innovative FreshCloud™ digital ecosystem. The company has recently announced pivotal partnerships with Aerobotics and Neolithics, both of which are spearheading cutting-edge advancements in orchard analytics and AI-driven quality inspection. With these collaborations, AgroFresh aims to create a comprehensive digital platform for produce quality and supply chain management.

The Integration of AI in FreshCloud™

The FreshCloud™ ecosystem aggregates real-time data from various sources, thus empowering growers, packers, and retailers to make data-driven decisions that can significantly reduce waste and enhance product quality. This advancement is instrumental as food sustainability becomes increasingly critical in our society.

AgroFresh’s commitment to innovation is exemplified by expanding its existing partnerships with sensor technology innovators like Rubens Technologies, Strella, and Escavox. This strategic expansion is designed to enhance the post-harvest management process through technology that simplifies and improves quality assessments.

Insights from Aerobotics and TrueFruit®

The partnership with Aerobotics brings the TrueFruit® modules into the mix, which leverages AI and computer vision to provide deeper insights into orchard and packhouse conditions. By using smartphone imagery, Aerobotics empowers agricultural producers to:

• - Accurately size, color, and assess fruit quality using intelligent algorithms,
• - Forecast harvest needs through precise size forecasting and blemish detection,
• - Standardize quality assessments from the point of harvest to packaging,
• - Elevate yield management efficiency, resulting in an average boost of 1-5% in packouts, thereby delivering a significant return on investment for commercial growers.

As James Paterson, CEO of Aerobotics, expresses, the integration with AgroFresh is not only strategic but also a landmark move towards providing comprehensive insights through the FreshCloud ecosystem, extending influence from orchards to packhouses seamlessly.

Neolithics: Revolutionizing Quality Control

Alongside Aerobotics, Neolithics adds another layer of sophistication to the FreshCloud™ platform. This partnership introduces high-throughput, AI-powered imaging technology designed to elevate packing standards in a fast-paced environment. Neolithics focuses on non-destructive inspections that yield over 90% accuracy, allowing for the following:

• - High-speed inspection capabilities, capable of analyzing one kilogram per minute for berries and up to six tons per hour for avocados,
• - Detailed measurement of crucial parameters like brix, acidity, and dry matter, coupled with the ability to detect hidden defects both internally and on the surface of the fruit,
• - Minimized waste by providing efficiency and reliability without causing any harm to the products.

Kate Murray, CEO of Neolithics, emphasizes the value this technology brings to the marketplace, aiming for a food chain that prioritizes transparency and sustainability. This integration combines both the technological prowess of Neolithics and the expansive network of AgroFresh, enriching the capabilities of FreshCloud™, thus facilitating a more robust quality assurance process.

The Bigger Picture: A Sustainable Future

In conclusion, AgroFresh Solutions is laying down a sustainable framework that aligns technological advancements with agricultural practices to combat food waste and improve overall freshness in the market. The integration of AI-powered analytics through partnerships with leaders like Aerobotics and Neolithics illustrates the company’s proactive approach to not only enhance post-harvest quality but also secure a place as a frontrunner in the digital transformation of the fresh produce industry.

With over four decades of experience, AgroFresh stands at the nexus of technological innovation in agriculture, creating a ripple effect that promises a brighter and more sustainable future for the industry.