14 September 2020, King of Prussia, PA:DECCO announces the acquisition of IngeAgro, SA (CHILE) and its FULLCOVER ® Ultra-Low Volume Electrostatic Application Technology expanding its postharvest business footprint into new crop markets.
IngeAgro’s patented FULLCOVER ® electrostatic technology is widely used throughout Latin America with 400-units already operating in Blueberry, Table Grape and Avocado packinghouses. Under an earlier distribution agreement, DECCO also expanded FULLCOVER technology into other market segments including Citrus, Melons, Tomatoes and Tropical Fruit such as Papaya and Bananas.
Tomas Yakasovic, who founded IngeAgro in 2013 will continue as the general manager, directing further innovation of this and other leading-edge application technologies. Tomas, an electrical engineer by training and ten years as family vineyard manager knows first-hand the challenges faced by agri- businesses which lead to development and patenting of FULLCOVER technology and of YT Wine, a precision SO2 dosing system for grapes and wine.
Augusto Mengelle, General Manager of Latin America at DECCO noted “the acquisition of IngeAgro will enable us to bring FULLCOVER ‘dry application’ technology plus our full product line to many other high value markets which cannot receive any aqueous postharvest treatments. In addition, FULLCOVER technology has already been adopted for use as a backpack electrostatic application of sanitization products in cold storage rooms and for field sprays.”
Electrostatic applications of plant protection products
DECCO, together with IngeAgro is already developing the next generation of electrostatic application technology for use on traditional packing lines for Citrus, Apples, Pears, Stone Fruit, Pineapples, Bananas, Melons and many others. The introduction of electrostatic applications of plant protection products is an example of DECCO’s commitment to sustainability, contributing to the reduction in food loss and food waste along the value chain from the field to the kitchen.
IngeAgro technologies potentially open an even broader market for in-field electrostatic application to agronomic and horticultural crops of various plant protection products which is already being explored by DECCO parent company UPL.
This acquisition adds a new window of opportunity for UPL to expand its postharvest footprint and beyond, further developing the OpenAg concept of no borders for innovation.
