Brazil-based Biotrop has installed an advanced research and product development center at UF Innovate, the University of Florida’s innovation hub, in Gainesville, Florida (U.S.).

The company said the investment aims to accelerate the company’s expansion process in the United States and prioritizes closer service to North American customers, in addition to collaboration in new lines of research such as combating citrus greening (HLB).

The centre includes a laboratory, office, greenhouse and all the infrastructure at the University of Florida. UF Innovate is an umbrella organization that unites the four entities that drive the innovation ecosystem at the University of Florida. It connects innovators with entrepreneurs, investors and industry, incubates startups and growing companies, and promotes a resilient economy.

“The reality of agriculture in the U.S. is different from that in Brazil and, therefore, requires different approaches, said Jonas Hipólito, Biotrop’s research director.

Biotrop’s internationalization process began in 2019, with the start of operations in Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. The following year, the company arrived in Ecuador, Colombia, Chile and Peru. The next step was to have representation in the United States and Portugal, and later to Mexico, Spain, France and Italy.