Lightfast polyurethane; YPF adds biofuels; Mars, BH improve cacao, chocolate; 20 new food waste start-ups; fossil-free ocean freight: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the week of October 24th

#10 Topcon and Kansas State establish a precision agriculture research campus

In Kansas, Topcon Agriculture and Kansas State University announced a comprehensive partnership and the new Topcon Agriculture Research Campus that will create a precision agriculture classroom space with state-of-the-art equipment to train faculty, students and customers to incorporate technology into farming and agricultural practices.

Building on a master research agreement signed previously, Topcon is also donating technology infrastructure improvements and equipment for the university’s Agronomy North Farm and will streamline access to future upgrades. Co-location with the university helps Topcon Agriculture recruit students and graduates as future workers for the company in the U.S. or abroad.

“Topcon Agriculture and K-State have been working together for two years on various projects, and both entities sought a deeper, multifaceted partnership that would differentiate the typical vendor and university relationship,” said Fabio Isaia, CEO of Topcon Agriculture. “This strategic partnership will boost our R&D technology advancement to accelerate the commercialization of farmer-driven innovation.”