Applied DNA Sciences has fulfilled an order for the Company’s SigNature molecular tags to track granular fertilizer destined for delivery by Rosier to Turkey and several African countries. This initial commercial order follows last year’s successful pilots, where tagged fertilizer was tracked throughout a supply chain in Africa, and successfully authenticated in the field in front of government officials, agricultural industry players and institutional bankers.
“We believe utilizing SigNature DNA is a key step forward in securing supply chains in the regions where we conduct business,” commented Mark Schulz, Business Manager, Rosier Group.
Dr. James Hayward, president and CEO of Applied DNA stated, “This initial order is the latest demonstration of our continuing ability to monetize our deep DNA expertise in securing global supply chains to drive top-line growth. The mitigation of fertilizer dilution is a pervasive, global imperative, to which we believe we have the right solution and the right partner in Rosier to address.”
“Rosier plans to lead the fertilizer industry by providing innovative technology giving environmental, economic and social benefits to our various stakeholders. We believe utilizing SigNature DNA is a key step forward in securing supply chains in the regions where we conduct business,” commented Mark Schulz, Business Manager, Rosier Group.
Willy Raymaekers, CEO Rosier Group, adds “Applying DNA to our fertilizers is an excellent and very practical example of Borealis and Rosier high ethical standards. Applying this technology to our fertilizers gives ‘smart fertilization’ a new and important meaning.”
“With the ongoing adulteration of fertilizer, the benefits of molecular tagging for fertilizer manufacturers and farmers are obvious. Products are delivered without the risk of dilution, and the resulting lower crop yields and risks of local malnutrition. More importantly, the opportunity to divert high nitrates to explosive devices is greatly curtailed. Beyond the immediate beneficiaries, there are additional stakeholders that can also benefit from tagged fertilizer, including those governments who may expect a positive impact on GDP ensuring any subsidies to farmers for fertilizer have the desired impact and Banks who provide loans to farmers for the purchase of fertilizers,” stated Tony Benson, Managing Director of Applied DNA for EMEA.
Dr. Hayward continued: “Having just returned from a visit with users and potential users of our technologies throughout Turkey, I am humbled to have seen, firsthand, the potential benefits of our technologies to the farmers, their families, the agricultural industry and to the safety of the Turkish people. We have filed U.S. and international patent applications addressing our proprietary methods to tag, test and track fertilizer products, prevent fertilizer diversion, to quantify fertilizer dilution, and even to recover fertilizer DNA-tags from the environment after fertilizer application, whether the tagged fertilizer was applied to enhance crop yields or to disrupt society.”
In addition to its engagement with Rosier in Turkey, Applied DNA’s SigNature DNA is used within textile supply chains, with a significant quantity of American cotton returning to US retailers from Turkish manufacturers, who are known for their superb textile manufacturing skills.