UPL Opens US$1.5-Million Sustainable Greenhouses in Coahuila

UPL Corporation Ltd. has inaugurated three high-technology greenhouses in Mexico as part of its Global Natural Plant Protection (NPP) Research Center in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila. The three greenhouses represent an investment of over US$1.5 million, and bring total investment at the center to over US$5 million. The inauguration was attended by Jai Shroff, President and CEO, UPL, and state officials, who jointly emphasized the role of both Coahuila and Mexico in the UPL’s global applied science and sustainability strategy. 

The new infrastructure consists of three fully automated, tempered-glass greenhouses built by Richel France/Mexico. According to UPL, these are the first greenhouses of their kind in the country. The installations will be used to conduct advanced trials of biostimulants and other natural plant protection solutions under controlled conditions, allowing the company to scientifically validate product performance and adapt results for use in other markets, including China, Brazil, and parts of Africa. Launched in 2023, the Ramos Arizpe facility now employs a multidisciplinary team of more than 20 researchers, operating in conjunction with other UPL research centers in France and the United States.

In 2026, the center is expected to add a specialized laboratory to study the mode of action of biostimulants at the level of gene expression. UPL says this expansion will make it the first global company in Mexico with next-generation glass greenhouse infrastructure dedicated exclusively to agricultural research. 

“The work being done here will generate innovation with a direct impact for farmers around the world,” said Shroff during the inauguration. Himanshu Panwar, CEO, UPL Latin America, adds that collaboration between science, industry, and farmers serves as a crucial foundation for advancing sustainable agriculture in Latin America.

Alongside investments in research infrastructure, UPL has also been strengthening its field-level presence in Mexico through partnerships aimed at sustainable pest management. The company recently announced a collaboration with Provivi to commercialize pheromone-based technologies for controlling the fall armyworm in corn, one of the crop’s most significant pest threats. UPL said the partnership complements the research conducted at the Ramos Arizpe greenhouses by linking scientific validation with practical and scalable solutions for producers.

The opening of the greenhouses comes two months after UPL participated in the third edition of the Sustainable Mexico Council, held under the theme “Reinventing sustainability.” The forum brought together stakeholders from across the agri-food sector to discuss environmental, social, and governance challenges. Attendees included the Ministry of Environment of Coahuila, represented by Susana Estens; the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT); the National Agricultural Council; the Ministry of Rural Development of Coahuila; and international researchers. During the event, UPL presented its 2024 Sustainability Report, outlining progress and commitments related to environmental performance, social responsibility, and governance.