b'CONTRA-SEASON PRODUCTIONBringing Five-Star Service to Every Client ExperienceNICOLS SAHLI CEO, CIS Agronsahli@cischile.clcischile.clCIS AgroWHEN YOU ENTRUSTyour genetics to another company,Second, luxury hotel guests are paying top dollar, and expect you should be treated like a guest at a five-star hotel. That mightmore than just a comfortable bedthey want personalized sound unusual, but before I was CEO of CIS Agro, I was the co- attention. This requires attention to detail, getting to know them founder of The Singular Hotels, the most awarded luxury hoteland anticipating their needs. We remember which pillows they line in Chile. Ultimately, I strive to bring the same level of serviceprefer, any dietary restrictions they have, and note anything that excellence to counter-season clients at CIS Agro that we bring tocan make them feel valued, pampered and cared for.each hotel guest.At CIS Agro, this high level of service includes open commu-Let me explain. nication and ensuring we have full understanding of the genetics First, the ceiling for the success of any business is set by theyou are producing so we can do all that is required to exceed quality of its staff. When we were establishing Singular Hotels,your expectations. We are also familiar with the processes of we recognized how important it was to hand pick the bestmoving your seeds across borders and smooth this process for employees, train them well, and thenmaybe most importantlyour clients. empower each one and trust them to do their jobs. With theseAnd of course, attentive service in a hotel includes meeting elite team members, we can provide premium service to exceedguests privacy needs. When a hotel guest comes in on a private customers needs. When you encounter a well-trained, empow- jet with a fake name, we fully respect and protect their anonym-ered staff member at any business, it increases your confidenceity. Similarly, we protect the confidentiality of our clients at CIS and smooths the process.Agro. We know you are trusting us with your most precious This is reflected in our employees at CIS Agro. Each is highlyasset, and we guard them with care.trained in their area, takes great pride in their work, and is net- Both luxury hotels and counter-season service rely on a foun-worked into the team to ensure every piece of the process meshesdation of trust, attention to detail, and exceptional staff. We aim well with another. You can trust that both you and your seeds areto ensure that our clients experience with us mirrors the highest in good hands for every part of the counter-season process.standards of hospitality.SEED COATINGSPioneering Change: Microplastic-free Products for Sustainable AgricultureGLEN ZHANG Senior Director, Global R&D, Agriculture, Michelmanglenzhang@michelman.commichelman.com IN RECENT YEARS , the agricultural sector has faced increas- coating polymers designed for crops like corn, soybeans, and ing regulatory pressures, particularly in Europe, where micro- sunflowers.plastics are under scrutiny. The European Chemicals AgencyStaying ahead of evolving regulations is essential. While North (ECHA) has introduced restrictions through the REACH regula- America hasnt fully aligned with European standards, aware-tion, prompting companies to innovate. At Michelman, we viewness is growing about how reducing plastic residues can improve this as an opportunity to lead in sustainable agricultural solu- soil structure and enhance long-term productivity. I believe MPF tions. technologies will play a key role in creating more resilient farming Sustainable innovation has always been one of my passions.systems.With more than 30 years of experience in bioscience materials,One of the most rewarding aspects of this work has been col-Ive seen how regulatory shifts can spark meaningful change. Ourlaborating with Michelmans talented team of experts in sustain-recent focus on microplastic-free (MPF) seed coatings reflectsable materials, agricultural formulations, and seed coatings. Their this. The challenge was to match the performance of traditionaldedication has been vital to our success in developing MPF wax synthetic coatings while staying cost competitive. By leveragingemulsions and seed coating polymers from scratch.bio-based materials from renewable plant sources, we developedOur investment in a new seed lab further underscores our wax emulsions and binders with enhanced flow, abrasion resist- commitment to innovation. This facility allows us to continually ance, and reduced dust-offessential for high-performancerefine and enhance our solutions, keeping us at the forefront of seed coatings. sustainable seed coating technology.The results have been encouraging. Our bio-based film coat- For me, our work is deeply personal. Were not just develop-ings now deliver performance that rivals or surpasses conven- ing productswere contributing to a healthier, more sustainable tional synthetic options. Our product portfolio includes tailoredagricultural future. Leading Michelmans R&D efforts has been an MPF and biodegradable wax emulsions, binders, and seedhonor, and Im proud of the progress weve made.INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2025SEEDWORLD.COM /49'