Move represents a key step in the company’s goal of becoming a global platform for the propagation and commercialisation of plant material
Grupo Hijuelas has teamed up with a leading plant biotechnology expert to launch an R&D project in plant propagation and commercialisation, marking its official entry into the European market.
The Chilean company has formed a strategic alliance with Dr Laurent Jouve, PhD in Plant Biology from the University of Geneva and a specialist in plant biotechnology with over 30 years of experience in research and development. Throughout his career, he has worked at European universities and scientific centres, leading projects on in vitro propagation protocols and micropropagation of complex plant species. He currently directs the in vitro culture laboratory at Tarnagas in France, focused on techniques for the micropropagation of high-value plants.
Thus, Grupo Hijuelas will contribute its experience and know-how in large-scale propagation, demanding commercialisation, and the development of successful agricultural businesses to this partnership with Dr Jouve’s two companies, combining scientific rigour with industrial capacity and proven commercial vision.
“The operation in France will have a distinctive focus within the group’s international ecosystem,” said Juan Ignacio Goycoolea, CEO of Grupo Hijuelas. “It will be a centre primarily focused on the development and productive validation of scientific protocols for in vitro propagation, the incorporation of new species into the platform, and high-standard technical services for European genetic programmes.”
A European Hub of Scientific Innovation
Grupo Hijuelas’ French operation will be structured into two complementary units: a research centre focused on protocol development and scientific validation, and a specialised production unit with propagation infrastructure under controlled conditions.
This project will allow for the validation of protocols for strategic species for the European market, the development of new propagation methodologies for complex varieties, the delivery of premium services to genetic programmes, and the strengthening of the integration of strategic licenses in Europe operated by Grupo Hijuelas.
“France represents a key step in our vision to become a global platform for plant material. It’s not just about production, but about positioning ourselves at the forefront of scientific and technological development in the sector,” Goycoolea said. “This centre will allow us to validate new species, develop our own protocols, and strengthen our technological offering in Europe, always with a focus on quality and scientific rigor.”
Research as a strategic focus
The operation will be led by Remo Nasi, an Industrial Civil Engineer and EMEA Territorial Manager for Grupo Hijuelas, who has over a decade of experience working with Grupo Hijuelas, having worked in different production units within the system, including the laboratory and nursery, at both the operational and corporate levels.
Nasi commented: “The project in France has a clear focus on research and development. Our goal is to accelerate the development of protocols for complex varieties and new species, strengthening our technological capabilities as a group. In addition to research, we are evaluating a progressive expansion of production capacity, incorporating specialized infrastructure that will allow us to deliver premium plants to the European market.”
Consistency and Global Positioning
The expansion into France complements the biotechnology initiatives that Grupo Hijuelas has developed in recent years in various markets, consolidating scientific innovation as an applied tool for agricultural development.
With this operation, the company officially establishes its territorial presence in Europe and deepens its position as a technological player within the industry, integrating research, protocol validation, services for genetic programs, and production potential under the standards demanded by producers and consumer trends, which are particularly demanding in Europe.
“Scientific innovation is the gateway to new markets. France will be a strategic platform for opening new commercial opportunities in Europe and consolidating our technological value proposition,” Goycoolea said.
