AgroFresh Introduces Invinsa(TM) Technology to Protect Crop Yield During Periods of Heat and Drought Stress.

Rohm and Haas Subsidiary Collaborates with Researchers and Growers in Ongoing Field Trials

PHILADELPHIA -- AgroFresh, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Rohm and Haas, today announced the introduction of its Invinsa[TM] technology, an important new chemistry that protects agronomic crop yields against heat and drought stress.

Over the past two years, AgroFresh and university researchers have conducted research trials using the new Invinsa[TM] technology in corn, soybean, cotton, sunflower and other crops, in both North and South America. In field trials with heat and drought stress, the Invinsa[TM] technology has shown up to 20 percent higher yields as compared to the untreated control.

Protecting plants from ethylene, a naturally occurring substance produced by all plants, is the key to this important new technology. Invinsa[TM] technology prevents ethylene induced stress responses allowing the crop to remain actively growing during periods of environmental stress. "This is important because under conditions of heat and drought stress, ethylene signals flowers to abort, leaves to senesce and causes other negative effects, limiting the plant's productivity," said Trent Leopold, AgroFresh Vice President of Strategic Market Development.

AgroFresh has become the global expert in ethylene management through its proprietary 1-MCP technology (1-Methylcyclopropene) under the SmartFresh(SM) Quality System, first used beginning in 2001 to enhance fruit quality. The SmartFresh(SM) Quality System has been heralded worldwide for its contributions in maintaining apple quality by helping packers and shippers maintain quality throughout the value chain all the way through to the consumer. Today over 50 percent of apples in the United States are SmartFresh(TM) quality apples and the business continues to grow with over 26 registrations globally.

Invinsa[TM] technology now brings the efficacy of 1-MCP and ethylene management to the agribusiness industry. "There is still work ahead to characterize the full potential," said AgroFresh President John Buckley, "but without question, Invinsa[TM] technology has far-reaching positive implications." Buckley further announced that AgroFresh received its first registration for the foliar spray version of 1-MCP from Servicio Agricola y Ganadero (SAG), the Chilean regulatory authority, a significant milestone in recognizing the promise of this safe and breakthrough science. Additional registrations are underway in other countries around the world.

"We are encouraged by the results of field trials and our early progress in demonstrating the benefits of the Invinsa[TM] technology. We are in a position to help growers manage the risk of environmental stress and therefore protect yields. AgroFresh is now poised to expand its focus into agronomic crops with its Invinsa[TM] technology, furthering its corporate mission to increase the availability and consumption of fresh produce and enhance agricultural production worldwide," said Leopold.

AgroFresh, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rohm and Haas (ROH), headquartered in Philadelphia PA. AgroFresh is the maker and marketer of the SmartFresh Quality System based on the company's proprietary 1-MCP technology. AgroFresh is a leading expert in ethylene management and its benefits to tree and vine fruit, vegetables and agronomic crops. For more information about AgroFresh visit www.agrofresh.com.