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.

Argos brings global expertise to local fields, using advanced technology to tackle extreme conditions and food security challenges head-on.

Argos Greenhouse Solutions, an Israeli pioneer in agritech, has been redefining modern farming since 2005

Designing and delivering turnkey greenhouse systems for regions as diverse as Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, Argos brings global expertise to local fields, using advanced technology to tackle extreme conditions and food security challenges head-on.

“High-quality produce, grown locally, using world-class technology” is more than just a slogan — it’s the foundation of their work. At the Israel–South Africa Agritech event, business development manager Bar Sharon shared how controlled-environment agriculture is not just a luxury but a necessity in regions where traditional farming simply cannot survive.

“We’ve had to design greenhouses that can withstand everything from -10°C snowy winters to 50°C scorching summers. These are greenhouses, highly engineered environments capable of year-round production in climates where conventional farming fails,” Sharon noted.

One such success unfolded in Central Asia, where Argos’ climate-controlled greenhouses delivered lush vegetables in the depths of winter. These projects were made possible through precise design, customised structures, and advanced environmental control systems tailored to local extremes. Argos never applies a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, every project begins with market demand, followed by crop selection, greenhouse design, and a viable business model. According to Sharon, this strategy ensures that their solutions are grounded in real-world economics.

But the company's scope goes well beyond greenhouse construction. From initial design to post-harvest infrastructure and even training, Argos helps clients build entire agricultural ecosystems. In Indonesia, Argos partnered with local authorities to equip rural farmers with solar-powered greenhouse kits to grow habanero chillies. These compact, off-grid systems use gravity-fed irrigation and solar panels, allowing communities with limited infrastructure to run self-sustaining, profitable farming operations.

“We can supply post-harvest packing houses, sorting machinery, cold storage, and even training programs. This is about building sustainable agricultural ecosystems for the client,” Sharon explained.

Affordability is also key. Argos strives to make high-end technologies cost-effective for both commercial and smallholder growers. “Innovation doesn’t help if it’s not profitable,” Sharon said. “These aren’t charity projects. They’re sustainable, revenue-generating ecosystems that create jobs, strengthen food security, and support local economies.”

Sharon’s relocation to South Africa marks a bold step in Argos’ commitment to expanding across Africa. With its vast range of climates and a growing need for reliable food systems, the continent presents immense potential for controlled-environment agriculture. The company is actively seeking local partners to launch pilot projects and showcase what their solutions can achieve.

Though greenhouses remain Argos’ core strength, their expertise now includes open-field irrigation systems, including their own line of sprinklers currently being distributed in India — with plans to expand further.

Argos Greenhouse Solutions is helping redefine what’s possible in agriculture. By merging local production with global standards, they are proving that with the right technology, top-quality produce can be grown just around the corner no matter the climate. As Sharon put it, “When you walk down the supermarket aisle, we want you to pick up something new: something that looks like it was imported from Europe, but was actually grown just down the road.”