The company is pushing its innovative platform out of the lab and into real-world agricultural systems.

In the heart of Singapore’s biotech scene, Terra Oleo is quietly leading a revolution that could transform two of agriculture’s most complex and carbon-heavy supply chains-palm oil and cocoa

With a fresh US$3.1mn in funding and support from Breakthrough Energy’s prestigious Fellows Program, the company is pushing its innovative platform out of the lab and into real-world agricultural systems.

This isn't just a tech breakthrough-it’s a response to a mounting crisis. The global palm oil and cocoa industries are feeling the squeeze of climate disruption, shrinking arable land, and tighter environmental regulation. In 2024, cocoa stockpiles fell by 26%, sending prices soaring, while palm oil exports dropped by nearly 6% as producers struggled with rising costs and inconsistent yields. For agri-businesses, food producers, and cosmetics manufacturers alike, volatility is becoming the norm and sustainable alternatives are no longer a niche pursuit but an industry necessity.

Terra Oleo’s answer is a tunable fermentation platform that uses microbes to convert agro-industrial waste into high-value lipid ingredients. These aren't just stand-ins for palm oil or cocoa butter; they’re engineered replacements designed to match or outperform conventional fats in terms of performance, stability, and application. From food and pharmaceuticals to personal care and cosmetics, the potential uses are wide-ranging.

The real genius lies in the platform’s customisation. Unlike natural microbial processes that are often limited in scale and flexibility, Terra Oleo’s system allows for precise control over the lipid profile of its outputs. That means the company can tailor its ingredients to suit specific industry needs, whether that’s for baking chocolate or industrial emulsifiers. And because the process bypasses land-intensive crops, toxic refining steps, and heavy energy use, it drastically reduces both the carbon footprint and chemical waste involved.

Backed by deep scientific expertise in synthetic biology and microbial engineering, the company is poised to move quickly from pilot phase to commercial scale. It has already signed product testing agreements with several major players in the food, oleochemical, and personal care sectors. More than a proof of concept, this funding round marks a shift towards real, scalable change.

With its roots partly in the palm oil industry, Terra Oleo has a unique advantage it knows the traditional system inside out and is building a better one alongside it. At scale, its platform could prevent up to 900 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, signalling a major leap towards decarbonising agriculture’s supply chains without compromising quality or performance.

As the pressure mounts to future-proof ingredient sourcing and reduce environmental impact, Terra Oleo’s approach offers more than just an alternative—it offers a reset. For agriculture, that reset can’t come soon enough.

The evolution of agricultural plastics, opportunities within the circular economy.

In the heart of Mexico’s agricultural sector, BASF is breaking new ground with its NOR HALS portfolio advanced additives designed to enhance the strength and longevity of agricultural plastics

These additives are tailored to meet the rigorous demands of plasticulture, where durability and sustainability are increasingly vital.

From greenhouse films to mulching sheets and silage bags, BASF’s NOR HALS products such as GSID 1012 AR, Tinuvin NOR 211 AR, and Tinuvin NOR 356 AR, offer exceptional resistance to the harsh realities faced in the field. With climates growing more extreme and farmers adopting thinner, more efficient films, these additives ensure the plastics can withstand intense UV exposure, heat, and chemical interactions with crop protection products without compromising performance.

But durability is just one part of the story. BASF emphasises that NOR HALS additives also support recycling efforts by maintaining the mechanical integrity of plastics at the end of their service life, reducing the release of harmful microplastics into the environment. This innovation aligns closely with growing sustainability goals in Mexico’s agriculture sector.

Recently, BASF teamed up with ExxonMobil in Querétaro to bring together over 80 industry leaders from agriculture and plastics for a strategic meeting. The focus? The evolution of agricultural plastics, opportunities within the circular economy, and collaborative ways to boost the value chain solidifying a future that marries performance with responsibility.

Raúl Castañeda, Head of BASF’s Performance Chemicals business for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, said, “The NOR HALS portfolio is the result of years of research and a commitment to excellence. Addressing the challenges of plasticulture today requires materials that not only withstand extreme conditions but also contribute to sustainability.”

For BASF, this is more than innovation - it’s a vital step toward smarter, greener agriculture where plasticulture plays a key role in feeding the future.

Its designed to transform the food supply chain with cutting-edge milling technology.

In a major step towards food innovation and sustainability, Japan’s Nippn Corporation has entered a strategic partnership with Greenfield Milling to redefine the future of flour production

This alliance marks a significant milestone as Greenfield Milling unveils its flagship milling facility in Richmond, Utah, designed to transform the food supply chain with cutting-edge milling technology and an expanded nationwide distribution network.

This partnership underscores Nippn’s global commitment to fostering international alliances and expanding its U.S. footprint, especially within the milling industry. Greenfield Milling, under this collaboration, aims to enhance flour production with a focus on quality, technology, and sustainability. The Richmond facility, now operational, can produce a diverse range of hard wheat, soft wheat, whole wheat, and organic flours, marking a new era for the U.S. flour industry.

One of the standout features of the new facility is its pneumatic flour supply system, which plays a crucial role in supplying flour for Campbell’s Pepperidge Farm plants under a 20-year supply agreement. This long-term commitment reflects Greenfield Milling’s focus on sustainability and efficiency, aligning seamlessly with Nippn’s principles of quality and innovation.

Looking to the future, Greenfield Milling plans to further expand its operations by leasing additional assets from Panhandle Milling in Hereford, Texas. This strategic move will bolster its offerings to the bakery industry, providing a range of high-quality ingredients such as tortillas, pizza dough, and gluten-free dry bake mixes.

By 2026, the Utah facility will undergo further upgrades to introduce advanced blending and warehousing automation, increasing capacity to meet rising consumer demand for superior bakery products. This expansion is directly influenced by Nippn’s role in driving growth and innovation in the partnership.

Genichi Murakami, Vice President of Medicaroid Corporation, a joint venture between Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Sysmex Corporation, stated, “Nippn’s partnership with Greenfield Milling showcases Japan’s expertise in creating sustainable and innovative food solutions. We are proud to support initiatives that elevate industry standards and drive global growth.”

This partnership brings together Japanese innovation and American operational excellence to shape the future of food ingredients, creating a sustainable food supply chain while meeting the growing demands of the bakery and retail markets.

Norroa effectively controls varroa mites for up to 18 weeks, improving overall colony health.

In a major step forward for apiculture, GreenLight Biosciences has announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) registration of Norroa, the first-ever RNA-based treatment specifically designed to tackle Varroa mites, one of the biggest threats to honey bee populations and, by extension, global agriculture.

Norroa contains vadescana, a powerful active ingredient that uses RNA interference (RNAi), a natural process that targets the mites' reproductive system, effectively stopping their breeding cycle. The treatment’s formulation belongs to IRAC Group 35, providing a completely new mode of action for varroa control, ensuring effective mite management without harming bees. Importantly, vadescana breaks down quickly in the environment, aligning with sustainable agricultural practices.

The registration comes at a crucial time. Recent reports show alarming honey bee colony losses, with 1.7 million colonies lost between June 2024 and March 2025. Commercial beekeepers are facing average losses of 62%, partly due to the development of mite resistance to traditional chemical treatments. This, in turn, leads to higher viral loads in colonies, causing further damage to the hives.

Mark Singleton, chief commercial officer at GreenLight, said, “Norroa represents a breakthrough in honey bee protection from varroa mites, offering beekeepers an effective and easy-to-use tool that keeps mite populations down for up to 18 weeks.” He also stressed that Norroa is safe for bees, workers, and queens, with no negative effects on brood development. With few options left, beekeepers now have a much-needed alternative to chemical treatments.

The field trials speak volumes. Conducted across multiple U.S. regions, they showed Norroa effectively controls varroa mites for up to 18 weeks, improving overall colony health. By reducing mite pressure, this solution can contribute to higher colony survival rates during winter, a critical factor for maintaining healthy pollinator populations.

In the fight against varroa, Norroa™ offers a sustainable, precise solution for beekeepers, helping protect the bees that are vital to pollination and essential to the U.S. agricultural industry, valued at an estimated US$20bn annually.