New agreement with Fertinagro Biotech will develop sustainable R&D

• This agreement was signed on November 27 at the -Universidad Empresa- Meeting.
• Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is an institution dedicated to research and innovation for Africa, and is positioning itself among world-renowned universities in these domains.
• Térvalis Group, which already has two chairs in Spain, with the Universities of Zaragoza and Polytechnic of Valencia, now crosses borders with its agreement with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and OCP Group, focused on R&D solutions for Sustainable Agriculture.

Casablanca, November 29, 2019 - Mohammed VI Polytechnic University – UM6P (Morocco) and OCP Group signed an agreement with Fertinagro Biotech, a company of the Térvalis Group (Spain), to develop, along with leading Spanish Universities, chairs that train researchers who subsequently serve in companies that provide sustainable solutions for the development of African and world agriculture and livestock.

The agreement will involve the training of researchers who will seek and develop innovation projects in fields such as sustainability and development, based on actions that promote the circular economy and, at the same time, lead to a well-being for the environment and sustainability.

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University stands out for being very focused on Research and Development and is leading the way in new technologies, while the company Fertinagro Biotech, belonging to the Térvalis Group, is a global reference in sustainable research and development, focused on research in agronomic solutions that benefit the planet.

The objective of this agreement, through which the three partners materialize a unique cooperation to promote knowlege without barriers for Agriculture, is promoting the training of professionals who develop their activity from companies that stand out for developing sustainable solutions for Africa, Europe and for the world.

The agreement is supported by OCP Group, a world leading company in the phosphate-based plant nutrition solutions worlwide and a strategic partner in Fertinagro Biotech company since 2018. OCP, through its African and International presence, will provide the expertise and technicity of its teams in order to conduct practical tests on the field and measure their concrete implications on the ground.

The collaboration between these institutions will also include connections with the leading universities of Spain in the fields of Agriculture, Circular Economy and Agro-biosciences, and will encompass mainly the following areas : training teams for Europe and Africa in Agro-biosciences, providing access and transfer of solutions for farmers and ranchers, and research and development programs in fields such as the study of agricultural ecosystems for the minimization of the environmental impact related to agriculture, biorefinery based on biomaterials, the biological capital of soils or seaweed farming.

Mohamed VI Polytechnic University is committed to training the future leadership of the continent and brings together the best researchers in áreas such as sustainable development, mining and agricultural science. Hicham El Habti, UM6P Secretary General said, “Our University is dedicated to research and innovation for Africa, we aim to position ourselves among world-renowned universities in these fields. Our objective is to consolidate Morocco’s frontline position in R&D, in a unique partnership-based approach and boosting skills training, relevant for the future of Africa. We develop research and education initiatives to make our University a hub for knowledge transfer and sharing, with a particular focus on agriculture and food security challenges, and we see this strategic partnership as a key catalyst into achieving this ambition.”

In the words of Sergio Atares, director of strategic development of the Térvalis Group, “Our country is advancing thanks to the researchers who carry out their activity in the different chairs that we have in Zaragoza and Valencia, and that we will now have at Mohamed VI Polytechnic University. These chairs, as well as the research we do in CSIC centers, allow us to move from idea to market, from mind to innovation, with developments that help the well-being of society. In Spain and in Morocco there is very good research, they are characterized by developing projects based on the guarantee of excellence of a whole team of professionals who seek solutions to the current problems of society, promoting the development of our countries, and allowing better quality life for everyone”.

Térvalis Group has chairs in different Spanish universities, specifically in the cities of Zaragoza and Valencia. The Group considers universities "the perfect partner to transfer knowledge and research to real life. "Along with UM6P and with the support of OCP Group, this partnership will promote unique knownledge sharing and transfer without borders at the service of sustainable agriculture.

Fertinagro Biotech, A Reference in R&D

In the last 10 years, Fertinagro Biotech, subsidiary of the Térvalis Group, has developed more than 30 certified R&D projects, thanks to which the research team has acquired the necessary knowledge to develop up to 37 priority patents. Currently, Fertinagro Biotech participates in 15 R&D projects in collaboration with research centers, universities and other companies from different sectors.

Térvalis signed with the CSIC a general protocol for collaboration with research groups towards sustainability in agriculture. Currently, Térvalis has 2 chairs of Bioeconomics and Society with the University of Zaragoza (Térvalis Chair) and Agricultural Biotechnology with the Polytechnic University of Valencia (Fertinagro Biotech Chair).

Fertinagro Biotech uses high efficiency products, designed thanks to its long trajectory in R&D, and, with them, develops the Integral Fertilization Programs (IFPs) with greater efficiency in fertilization with significant reduction of fertilizer units. An increase in the agronomic yield and the biofortification of the crop against environmental or phytopathological adversities is achieved, resulting in a greater profitability for the farmer and a guarantee of sustainability of his soil.

About Fertinagro Biotech

Fertinagro is a major Spanish fertilizer company dedicated to the productionand commercialization of plant nutrition solutions (NPK, enriched NPK,biostimulants etc.) and is a leading player in terms of product development capabilities, biotech application and number of patents registered. It has a production capacity of 2 million tons throughout its 22 ownedmanufacturing plants and logistics centers located in Spain and France. Fertinagro has also an international footprint through its subsidiaries and salesin over 60 countries worldwide.

About Térvalis Group

Térvalis Group is a business group that began its journey in Teruel (Spain) in 1986. The vocation of entrepreneurship has allowed it to grow in a continuous and sustainable way. Its driving force is based on its human team, with about 1,500 employees; research and innovation whose commitment translates into an investment of three million euros per year, turning this pillar of the group's activity into a competitive advantage that applies to all transformation processes; top quality raw materials; a competitive technological and industrial production that respects the natural environment and stable and sufficient sources of financing and commercial that have allowed the company to position itself in international markets with powerful alliances.

Likewise, the production and commercialization of plant nutrients división, that groups together the subsidiaries present in Spain, France, Italy, Mexico, Algeria, Argentina, Ukraine and Portugal, continue to increase its production volume to be present in all countries of the world, in the next years. They already occupy the first positions in R&D at European level, with 44 patents at present.

Térvalis is firmly committed with R+D+i, this has allowed to be part of the Board of Trustees of the Aula Dei Foundation, the Technological Platform of Plant Biotechnology (BIOVEGEN) and the Center for Research on Energy Resources and Consumption (CIRCE), as well as to collaborate with the main research centers and teachers across the country.

About Mohammed VI Polytechnic University

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is a hub of education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship, aspiring to become a solid bridge of knowledge between Morocco, Africa and the world. Located in the “Mohammed VI Green City” in Benguerir, near Marrakech, UM6P applies a “learning by doing” approach and develops sound partnerships with world-wide class universities, to promote leadership and training in focused research areas. By contributing to the training of a new generation of researchers, entrepreneurs and leaders, UM6P is committed to positioning Morocco and Africa at the forefront of technology and human Sciences. For more info: www.um6p.ma

About OCP Group

OCP plays an important role in feeding a growing global population, by providing essential elements for soil fertility and plants growth. With a century of experience and revenues reaching $ 5.95 billion in 2018, OCP Group is a world leader in phosphate-based plant and soil nutrition solutions. OCP provides a wide range of customized fertilizer products to enhance soil, increase agricultural yields, and help feeding the planet in a sustainable and affordable way. Thanks to its large-scale integrated industrial development strategy, OCP is present on the entire phosphate value chain and operates on all of its business lines.

Headquartered in Morocco and present on 5 continents, OCP works in a close partnership with more than 160 customers over the world. Committed to best serve the development of Africa, OCP places innovation at the heart of its strategy, in particular to implement sustainable and prosperous agriculture on the continent.

For more information, please visit OCP Group’s official site at: www.ocpgroup.ma