2025 is a landmark year for AgriCoat NatureSeal, marking the 30th anniversary since the company joined the Mantrose Group in 1995.
Mantrose is a global player in food protection, supplying specialty, functional coatings for a wide sector of the food industry and, as one of the world's main producers of shellac, was already engaged in fruit coatings for post-harvest protection of fruit. The acquisition of AgriCoat broadened the company's offer to include edible, plant-based coatings to maintain postharvest quality and shelf life.
Over the past three decades, AgriCoat NatureSeal has been at the heart of the rapidly growing trend of healthy snacking, addressing the obesity epidemic, and meeting the increasing consumer demand for fresh, on-the-go produce. NatureSeal was born from cutting-edge research in collaboration with the USDA, pioneering the first solutions to prevent discoloration and deterioration in fresh-cut fruits and vegetables.
"Our business includes chlorine-free washes for decontaminating fresh produce and NatureSeal solutions tailored for different types of fresh-cut produce," explains Simon Matthews, Director at AgriCoat NatureSeal. "Beyond fresh-cut fruits, we have been working on solutions in fruit purees and smashes, smoothies, and frozen produce. With the growing demand for frozen food due to its convenience, there's an opportunity to develop new frozen fruit products or fruit-based meals for busy consumers globally. Tapping into health-conscious or quick-prep markets with a focus on quality frozen produce."
The company's shelf-life-extending blends and washes are produced in their BRC-accredited facility in the UK.
Marino Castillo and Simon Matthews
"Today, our commitment to enhancing the freshness, convenience, and sustainability of produce has made us a trusted partner for retailers, food service providers, and growers worldwide. Last year we further strengthened our logistics in Europe with additional warehousing and the recruitment of our new European Sales Manager, Marino Castillo, who operates from the south of Spain. Meanwhile, NatureSeal has continued to expand in Asia and the UK team works closely with our colleagues based in Hong Kong.
"At the heart of our strategy is our philosophy of 'open innovation,' which was inspired by our original partnership with the USDA that led to the development of the first long-shelf-life solution for cut apples. This commitment to collaboration has fuelled our ongoing success and keeps us open to new ideas and opportunities. As we look to the future, we continue to innovate and lead the charge in providing fresh solutions for a healthier, more convenient world. We are actively seeking new partners and collaborators to help us push the boundaries of what's possible, ensuring we continue to lead the way in creating sustainable, innovative solutions for the global food industry."
Fruit Logistica has always been an important meeting place for AgriCoat NatureSeal, they will be exhibiting in Hall 5.2, B-62.
