ABB and Heliospectra AB join forces in the Middle East and Africa
Technology Collaboration Explores Innovative and Sustainable Control Solutions to Increase Horticultural and Commercial Food Production
GOTHENBURG, Sweden / SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 7, 2018 - ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex), a pioneering technology leader in electrification, robotics and motion, industrial automation and renewables and Heliospectra AB (publ) (OTCQB: HLSPY, FIRSTNORTH: HELIO), a world leader in intelligent lighting technology for greenhouse and controlled plant growth environments, are joining forces to explore innovative solutions that will boost the productivity and the sustainability of greenhouse and controlled environment agriculture produce industry in the Middle East and Africa.
The collaboration propels exploration of new food production technologies and commercial infrastructure to address increasing demand for sustainably grown agricultural products. Creating value through integrating solutions across light control systems, refrigeration, renewables, robotics and Industry 4.0 digital technologies to increase flexibility, reduce costs while improving capital efficiency.
Heliospectra's advanced light control systems and fully adjustable spectra LED technology, which accelerate food harvest cycles and time to market, will provide the technical foundation for the new partners’ technology co-development. Additionally, the partners will create programs for educating growers in best practices for sustainable agriculture.
“ABB is a technology pioneer in electrification and automation. This collaboration is bringing two key technology experts in creating value for both the producers and consumers,” said Mostafa AlGuezeri, Managing Director, UAE and Oversight Countries.
“With this partnership, we will explore innovative and disruptive technologies that can optimize food production and reduce wastage. This is of immediate interest and need in the Middle East and Africa region and we are excited to be in this partnership that will possibly improve food security and water stress,” he added.
“Our relationship with ABB represents a powerful opportunity for Heliospectra to significantly expand our presence in the Middle East & Africa, a vibrant and important global market. This opportunity will enable us to provide fully integrated solutions, from facility planning and design to cultivation and installation specialists, ready to support commercial growers and businesses within the region,” said Ali Ahmadian, CEO Heliospectra.
"ABB has demonstrated the ability to apply considerable resources and expertise as a major market leader in sustainable agriculture and food production. We are pleased to work with a partner that shares our passion for innovation and quality. Together, we strive to help food growers create a smarter, sustainable and more productive future," he added.
“An additional billion people will live in the Middle East and Africa in the next 20 years. With the increasingly urbanized population, indoor and urban farming would become the most sustainable way forward. With our partner Heliospectra we aim to write the future of food production,” said Mohammed Farahneh, Food and Beverages Manufacturing Segment Manager, Middle East & Africa.
The partnership was signed between ABB Industries LLC and Heliospectra AB and is valid for the next two years with a goal to extend the partnership to new markets across the region over time.
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For more information please contact:
Heliospectra IR
Phone: +46 31 406710
Email: ir@heliospectra.com
Adress: Frans Perssons Väg 6, 41260 Gothenburg, Sweden
ABB Media Relations
Phone: +97156 9915381
Email: jyotsna.ravishankar@ae.abb.com
Adress: Concord Tower, Dubai Media City, United Arab Emirates
Redeye is Heliospectra Certified Advisor for Nasdaq First North - www.redeye.se
Heliospectra AB (publ) (OTCQB: HLS, FIRST NORTH: HELIO) is the global leader in intelligent lighting technology, light control systems and related services for greenhouse and controlled plant growth environments. With the vision to make commercial crop production more connected and resource-efficient, Heliospectra integrates customized LED spectral strategies with real-time response and artificial intelligence to create predictable and reliable business forecasts and harvest results. Founded in 2006, Heliospectra is committed to helping growers and commercial producers across six continents consistently increase yields and produce crops with quality appearance, superior nutritional or medicinal value and longer shelf life, harvest after harvest. Heliospectra is the recipient of multiple international awards and recognitions. For more information, please visit https://www.heliospectra.com.
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization with two clear value propositions: bringing electricity from any power plant to any plug and automating industries from natural resources to finished products. As title partner of Formula E, the fully electric international FIA motorsport class, ABB is pushing the boundaries of e-mobility to contribute to a sustainable future. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 135,000 employees. www.abb.com
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Such statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, such forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, technical advances in the industry as well as political and economic conditions present within the industry. We do not take any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or developments after a forward-looking statement was made.
This information is information that Heliospectra AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08:00 CET / 7 AM CDT on May 7.
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