SHANGHAI & SAO PAULO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FuturaGene, a world leader in the enhancement of yield and sustainability of woody crops for plantation forestry, biopower and biofuel markets, has established its first research and development centre in China with a team of scientists dedicated to helping the country meet its demand for sustainable fibre production and renewable energy sources. The site of the laboratory will serve as the company’s China headquarters.
China is a significant growth market for FuturaGene. The company has been operating in China through partnerships with a number of universities and research institutes for the last six years. These partnerships have strengthened and grown and the need for a strategic base in the country has become imperative.
Dr. Stanley Hirsch, Chief Executive of the FuturaGene Group and Mr. James Zhang, VP Futuragene China , hosted the opening. The ceremony was attended by representatives from Chinese academia, government and business, including the Guangxi Academy of Sciences, China Academy of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, South China University of Technology, biotech and pulp and paper partners of Suzano and FuturaGene and diplomatic representatives from Brazil and Israel.
Stanley Hirsch, Chief Executive of FuturaGene said;
“China, with continuously growing demand for fibre and renewable energy sources provides a huge challenge and opportunity. Our forest biotech capability can provide sustainable alternatives in helping to meet these enormous demands.”
“We have worked for a number of years through public-private partnerships to develop some of these solutions in China. The establishment of our own facility will serve as the focal point for driving these partnerships in the local environment. Through this facility and a more direct presence, we can leverage the experience of FuturaGene and our parent Suzano in meeting significant industrial demands whilst helping to preserve natural resource inventories and reducing pressure on fragile ecosystems in China.”
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About FuturaGene - www.futuragene.com
FuturaGene, with facilities in Brazil, China and Israel, is a leader in plant genetic research and development for the global forestry, biopower and biofuel markets. FuturaGene develops sustainable, ecologically sound technology to meet the ever increasing demands for fiber, fuel and energy crops in the face of declining land and water resources.
FuturaGene aims to be the leading crop technology company for plantation forestry, biopower and second generation biofuel through two main technology platforms: yield and processability enhancement - driving gains in yield during crop growth and greater processability of crop, post-harvest; and yield protection to protect strategic crops from emerging threats caused by changing climate and diminishing resources and to enable marginal land usage.
FuturaGene’s key crops are eucalyptus and poplar and its most advanced technologies are for yield improvement in sustainable industrial forestry.
After developing as an independent company since its inception in 1993, FuturaGene was acquired, in July 2010 by Suzano Pulp and Paper, a Brazilian company. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Suzano, FuturaGene will continue its worldwide biotech activities with enhanced resources driving its mission to be a world leader in sustainable plant genetic research and development.