Temprecision^® Advance Foam is certified OK biobased with a 4-star rating from TÜV Austria

KENT, Ohio USA – 08 April 2025 – Temprecision International, a division of Smithers-Oasis and a worldwide leader in science-driven solutions for temperature-controlled shipping applications, has launched a plant-based foam called Temprecision^® Advance Foam. Its renewable biomass materials led to the achievement of OK biobased certification from TÜV Austria with a 4-star rating, the highest available for OK biobased certifications.

ThermaBrick^® Refrigerant Bricks powered by Temprecision^® Advance Foam will offer the same great benefits as the original ThermaBrick^® Refrigerant Bricks – precise temperature control, whether controlled frozen, controlled refrigerated, or controlled ambient, as well as dimensional and thermal stability that is customizable to the specific size of your payload.

Temprecision^® Advance Foam has a carbon footprint that is 56% lower than that of the petroleum-based Temprecision^® Foam, as tested and analyzed by independent, third-party agencies.

“Temprecision International is committed to long-term sustainability,” said David De Permentier, Vice President of Temprecision International. “As a global leader in temperature-controlled packaging and specialty foam, we believe in the responsibility to Do Good. Every Day. The significant reduction in the carbon footprint of Temprecision^® Advance Foam is a reflection of that commitment.”

Temprecision^® Advance Foam is launching in the United States, Europe, and Asia. It will be available for purchase later this year and launches into other markets will be announced throughout 2025.

To learn more about Temprecision^® Advance Foam, visit Temprecision.com/AdvanceFoam.

OASIS^® Renewal^™ Floral Foam is certified OK biobased with a 4-star rating from TÜV Austria

KENT, Ohio USA – 28 January 2025 – Smithers-Oasis, a worldwide leader in the floriculture and floral design industry, has launched a new plant-based floral foam – OASIS^® Renewal^™ Floral Foam. Its renewable biomass materials led to the achievement of OK biobased certification from TÜV Austria with a 4-star rating, the highest available for OK biobased certifications.

In addition, OASIS^® Renewal^™ Floral Foam is free of dyes and colorants. Its appearance is a grey/green color when dry, but once saturated it becomes a deep rich black color. Smithers-Oasis has long been a proponent of black floral foam, as it allows florists to achieve the same appearance of design coverage with 25% fewer stems – reducing their cost. That also results in less labor and costs for designing and a lighter weight of finished designs, which are then easier to transport.

“This product ticks all the boxes on our list and more. One of the attributes florists have had the greatest response to is the density of the foam. We like to say ‘One Foam Fits All’ because this product will work with any type of stem – from the most delicate or hollow to woody or thick, tropical stems. Florists don’t have to buy different flavors or densities of floral foam to have on hand. This one product works for everything and has a fantastic grip that will keep those stems in place.”

OASIS^® Renewal^™ Floral Foam is initially launching in the United States, Canada, Europe, UK, Australia, Republic of Korea, and Japan with a free sample program so floral designers can try the product for themselves. The product will be available for purchase later this year and launches in other markets will be announced throughout 2025.   To learn more about OASIS^® Renewal^™ Floral Foam, visit renewal.oasisfloral.com.

KENT, Ohio (November 18, 2024) — Controlled-environment hydroponic growers now have two new singulated precision substrates from Oasis Grower Solutions to help fuel their success in the challenging and competitive CEA market.

From climate change and rapidly evolving technologies to consumer demand for reliable, sustainable, year-round production, today’s CEA growers face challenges that demand new approaches. Propagation media pioneer Oasis Grower Solutions has once again responded to the industry’s need with real-world, grower-driven solutions: OASIS® AeroMax™ PlugTray and OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugTray, two new automation-ready engineered foam substrates optimized for crop and environmental demands.

Developed specifically for precision hydroponic farming, like their predecessors in the OASIS® AeroSubstrates family, new food-safe singulated OASIS® AeroMax™ PlugTray and OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugTray provide growers with input-responsive substrate options that target specific crops, water demands, seasonal or year-round climate conditions, and more.

OASIS® AeroMax™ PlugTray, ideal for hydroponic cultivation in mild to moderate climates, excels at supporting crops, climates and systems with lower water demand. In contrast, OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugTray targets water-demanding operational conditions; its higher water-holding capacity suits warmer climates, as well as crops and growing conditions with higher water demand — including finicky crops like spinach.

Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D., Oasis Grower Solutions Director of Global Grower Operations and Research, was lead scientist on the team that developed the core technology behind the new additions to OASIS® AeroSubstrates. He was also the driving force behind the Cradle-to-Grave Carbon Footprint Assessment that confirmed the engineered substrate technology’s remarkably low carbon footprint.

“Our purpose at Oasis Grower Solutions is to develop innovative solutions that solve problems for growers, from propagation and cultivation to sustainability,” Dr. Rapaka says. “With OASIS® AeroSubstrates, we brought precision growing into the root zone and made these next-generation substrates functional elements in the cultivation process. With new OASIS® AeroMax™ PlugTray and OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugTray, both automated and manual growers of all sizes can now experience the benefits of these precision hydroponic substrates and grow more profitably and more sustainably.”

 With labor-saving OASIS® AeroSubstrates, hydroponic growers enjoy optimal root zone water-to-air ratios, uniform germination, rapid root penetration, and unrestricted seedling growth. The ready-on-demand, preloaded plug trays prevent root tangling during propagation, eliminate root breakage and damage during transplant, and encourage superior post-transplant performance.

 Dr. Rapaka adds, “Like our new OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray for vegetative floriculture propagation, these next-generation OASIS® AeroSubstrates for precision hydroponics also offer unprecedented cleanliness for hydroponic farmers. Food safe and free of pests and pathogens, they deliver a physically cleaner cultivation experience, from seeding through cultivation and harvest.”

 OASIS® AeroMax™ PlugTray and OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugTray engineered precision hydroponic substrates are available from national and international distributors in pre-dibbled and preloaded 72, 105, and 128 count single- and multi-seed plug trays. For more information, contact Oasis Grower Solutions at +1 (855) 585-4769 or visit the website at: www.oasisgrowersolutions.com.

 WALTERBORO, S.C. – October 17, 2024 – FloraLife, a division of Smithers-Oasis Company, and worldwide leader in providing solutions throughout the flower journey from farm to vase, has introduced a new film for its FloraLife® Flower Food plastic packets, which significantly reduces the use of virgin plastic.

In collaboration with packaging partners in the United States, FloraLife has developed an enhanced film made up of 51.3% recycled materials, combining post-consumer recycled (PCR) and post-industrial recycled (PIR) content. This innovation results in a 12% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and a 20% reduction in fossil fuel consumption for the film. Furthermore, the performance and quality of the film has not been impacted.

“What this means is that 51.3% of our films have had a previous life,” explained Mark Allen, Director of Global Wholesale Channel and Sustainability. “Of that, 32% comes from PCR, indicating that this packaging has been used by consumers before being recycled back into our supply chain. Additionally, 19.3% of the film is sourced from PIR, derived from waste generated during the film manufacturing process.”

The new film will be used in all packets produced in the United States. Other FloraLife packets found in the North America typically travel with the flowers from Colombia. The Colombian packets utilize a different material that contains roughly 10% less plastic than their U.S. counterparts. FloraLife continues to explore improved sustainable options for the future.

“We’re thrilled about this innovation,” stated Jim Daly, Vice President of FloraLife, Grower Solutions, and Corporate Research. “This represents a significant advancement in our commitment to sustainable packaging.”

The improved sustainable flower food packaging supports FloraLife’s 2025 Sustainability Plan, the brand’s sustainability initiative that is a long-term plan targeted for 2025 that implements the reduce, re-use, recycle and respect principles in five commitment areas: climate change, water stewardship, product portfolio, sustainable packaging and stakeholder awareness.

KENT, Ohio (October 2, 2024) – Oasis Grower Solutions, a division of Smithers-Oasis, today announced that Erin Yafuso, Ph.D., has joined the expanding Oasis Grower Solutions team in a newly created position of Plant Scientist, effective October 1, 2024.

Smithers-Oasis Director of Global Grower Operations & Research Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D., made the announcement as he welcomed Dr. Yafuso to the Oasis Grower Solutions team. In her role as Plant Scientist with the division, Dr. Yafuso will have global responsibilities and report directly to Dr. Rapaka.

“I’m extremely pleased to have Dr. Yafuso as part of our team,” Dr. Rapaka said. “This new position will play an important role as we continue to advance the science and development of innovative new substrates and expand into emerging areas of vital importance for sustainable controlled environment agriculture with grower-driven, real-world solutions. After an intensive search to fill the position, it was clear that Dr. Yafuso is a terrific match both for the scientific challenges ahead and for our team.”

Dr. Yafuso’s work with Oasis Grower Solutions will involve all aspects of propagation, production and post-harvest quality of floriculture and hydroponic food crops grown under controlled environmental conditions. Special emphasis will be given to specialty substrates for propagation, soilless cultivation and hydroponic production, as well as the development of sustainable and biobased solutions to improve growth and quality of controlled environmental agricultural crops. In addition to conducting plant science experiments, Dr. Yafuso will collaborate closely with other team members to successfully develop and launch new products.

Dr. Yafuso received her Ph.D. in Horticultural Sciences from the University of Florida, Gainesville after receiving her M.S. in Molecular Bioscience and Bioengineering and her B.S. in Plant and Environmental Biotechnology, both from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Prior to joining Oasis Grower Solutions, Dr. Yafuso most recently held a three-year postdoctoral research horticulturist position with the USDA ARS in Toledo, Ohio, where her work focused on nutrient optimization of strawberry mother plant and subsequent daughter crowns in controlled environments for propagation.

Smithers-Oasis Malaysia believes in starting the day off right! Production and packing team members start their morning with a workout routine to set a positive tone for the day ahead. This practice is more than just physical fitness or movement; it’s developing a culture that prioritizes the health and safety of the team while building connections that continue into the workday. Getting the team’s minds and bodies moving promotes focus and productivity to form a welcoming work environment.

But the morning wouldn’t be complete without the post-workout breakfast to build a workplace community that cares about collective health and well-being. Regularly eating breakfast helps to support the physical benefits of the warm-up while ensuring the team is nourished for the day. Sitting down to eat together also gives the group the opportunity to form bonds with their colleagues. By following this routine, employees are encouraged to keep healthy habits and make good choices for their personal success.

Approaching health and safety holistically builds a solid foundation to give the Smithers-Oasis Malaysia Team a workplace and lifestyle they can be proud of.

OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Sheets are inert, allowing them to arrive fully food safe while staying clean throughout the growing process. To reduce the risk of pathogens, the ultrafine cell structures improve capillarity to rehydrate cuttings faster, reducing the need for misting, thus leaving the plants in conditions less prone to pests.

When used properly, the substrate even prevents overwatering through its unique cellular structure and multi-tray draining system. The structure of the substrate maintains a consistent air-to-water ratio that aids in quicker, more uniform rooting compared to some traditional substrates. Transitioning to organic substrates, such as peat or coco, is simple due to the ultrafine cell structure that allows for superior capillary action. Altogether, this reduces the required bench time per plant while maintaining consistent results.

OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Sheets are the ideal substrate for vegetative propagation for a variety of crops, from industrial hemp clones to floriculture and culinary herb cuttings. Reliable outcomes, easy usage, and prevention of complications make this a miracle product for growers everywhere.

Smithers-Oasis North America and the Society of American Florists (SAF) joined hands to bring flowers and smiles to the streets of Kent, Ohio. A group of the company’s employees came together to demonstrate a simple act of kindness: giving flowers to passersby on the campus of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, USA. Each participant handed out two bouquets to an unsuspecting stranger with the invitation to keep one and share the other. What followed were surprised faces and joy from the whole group. 

While the primary focus of “Petal It Forward” is to promote emotional well-being, the event also shined a light on the beauty and positive effect of the floral industry as a whole. Something as simple as a bouquet of flowers can make a profound impact on individuals and communities alike. Through building connections and spreading kindness, we can make the world a better place, one flower at a time.

While the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry rapidly grows, as does the need for environmentally friendly and effective substrates to support hydroponic farmers’ needs. Enter OASIS® AeroMax™ Engineered Foam Substrate: a reliable, stable substrate with a balanced air-to-water ratio, designed specifically for growers. Not only is the innovative material free of pests and pathogens, but an independent study shows it’s a great choice for the environment as well!

The carbon footprint assessment, conducted by U.K.-based Carbon Footprint Ltd., examined every stage of the product lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal with the tables below providing more insight on each step. By using a holistic approach, the results reflected a thorough understanding of the product’s environmental impact.

Compared to Pressed Peat (a commonly used substrate), OASIS® AeroMax™ Engineered Foam Substrate emits 40 times less CO2 equivalent emissions per plug. Even against Gravity Filled Loose Plugs, OASIS® AeroMax™ Engineered Foam Substrate boasts a carbon footprint that is 12.5 times lower in comparison.

Beyond environmental benefits, OASIS® AeroMax™ Engineered Foam Substrate’s ultra-low density produces uniform germination and unhindered seedling growth to make healthy plants. With proper use, the substrate can’t be overwatered and maintains maximized airflow using an open matrix form. Perfect for precision hydroponics, this innovative substrate provides a straightforward method to make a positive impact on the environment. With OASIS® AeroMax™, there isn’t a tradeoff between reliability and sustainability.

Thousands visit every year to see the boutiques, restaurants, and local businesses’ balconies and facades adorned with lavish fresh cut floral arrangements. Themes are given by the organizing committees and then followed by floral designers, landscapers, and architects. Through the festival, the Smithers-Oasis Mexico team is given the opportunity to support local florists and business owners by providing a wide array of products, customized items, and other supplies for a cost basis.

The Smithers-Oasis Mexico team sponsored Telcel, Sanborns, and Tierra Garat, who created floral sculptures of monarch butterflies, owls, and a jungle scene. Many of Smithers-Oasis’s branded products were used to produce the spectacular festival décor; OASIS® Floral Foam formed the complex shapes, Design Master® sprays boosted the vibrant colors, and FloraLife® Postharvest Products extended the lives of the arrangements. Enhanced by many of Smithers-Oasis Mexico’s creative design solutions, the artists bring businesses to life by transforming their exteriors into magical, immersive experiences for guests.