News
Our policy: Agroisolab is always available in conferences and media. Therefore, we have decided in our NEWS only to publish important and relevant information in the current year.
November 2025
Oritain strengthens European laboratory network:
Agroisolab from Germany brings leading isotope expertise
With the integration of Agroisolab, the German market leader in traceability for agriculture and wood, Oritain is expanding its forensic capabilities in Europe and further strengthening its role as a global partner for origin and authenticity verification and greater transparency in supply chains.
JÜLICH, GERMANY – 6 November 2025– Oritain, a global leader in forensic origin verification, announces the integration of Agroisolab, one of Europe's leading laboratories for stable isotope analysis, into its global network. With this move, Oritain is expanding its scientific capabilities in Europe and further strengthening its presence in the field of origin and authenticity verification.
Agroisolab was founded in 2002 as a spin-off of the Jülich Research Centre and is considered a pioneer in the field of stable isotope analysis. For over two decades, the company has been supporting industry, trade and authorities in scientifically verifying the origin and authenticity of products – from food to wood and textiles to chemical raw materials. Agroisolab is one of the largest and most renowned isotope laboratories in Europe.
“In more than twenty years of research and analysis, we have helped to create transparency and trust in supply chains – from food safety to combating the illegal timber trade,”says Dr. Markus Boner, CEO and founder of Agroisolab. “By integrating into Oritain's global network, we are pooling scientific expertise, creating common standards and expanding our opportunities to support companies and government organisations worldwide in implementing sustainable procurement strategies.”
Integration into Oritain's global network
Since its founding in 2002, Agroisolab has been one of the leading laboratories for origin verification of food and agricultural raw materials in Europe. Today, Agroisolab plays a central role in supporting transparent supply chains, including compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which will require proof of deforestation-free origin for key commodities such as coffee, cocoa, timber and leather from January 2026.
“Agroisolab complements our network with outstanding scientific depth and decades of experience in origin verification,”says Alyn Franklin, CEO of Oritain. “Agroisolab’s expertise strengthens our ability to support businesses, governments and consumers, further supporting our vision to be the source of truth in global supply chains.”
A common goal: transparency in European supply chains
By joining Oritain, Agroisolab becomes part of a global laboratory network that also includes Imprint Analytics (Austria), Advanced Isotopic Analysis (France) and Isotrace (New Zealand). Together, they form the backbone of Oritain's forensic methodology – and set new standards for transparency, compliance and sustainable sourcing worldwide.
About Agroisolab
Agroisolab GmbH is a leading European laboratory for stable isotope analysis based in Jülich, Germany. Founded in 2002, the company offers scientific origin and authenticity testing services in the food, wood, chemicals and textiles sectors. Agroisolab is accredited to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 and works with industry, trade and authorities across Europe.
About Oritain
Oritain is a global leader in forensic origin verification. Our proprietary methodology verifies origin through multiple analytical techniques – including isotopes, trace elements, and non-traditional isotopes – combined with advanced statistical modelling and a comprehensive global reference database. Our verification programs are trusted by organizations worldwide across industries as diverse as fashion and cotton, coffee, horticulture, meat, dairy, and more. Oritain works with some of the world's leading brands to help them achieve regulatory compliance, reduce reputational risk, and meet market demand through verifying the provenance of their products.
In 2023, Agroisolab was acquired by Oritain. It joins Oritain’s global network and Technical Advisory Committee made up of AiA, Isotrace, Imprint and Agroisolab.
Oritain provides support across the globe through its laboratory network – Isotrace (New Zealand), AIA (France), Agroisolab (Germany) Imprint Analytics (Austria). To learn more, visit www.oritain.com https://www.oritain.com.
September 2025
In September 2025, we conducted a study (Markt) that was featured on television, which showed that retailers were selling potatoes grown using deep water cultivation methods in Egypt.
It was featured on television and radio as well as in various newspapers (Frankfurter Rundschau).
NDR Verbrauchermagazin "Markt" - schlechte Umweltbilanz bei günstigen Kartoffeln aus Ägypten
ARD Mediathek - Miese Umweltbilanz: Kartoffeln aus Ägypten
April 2025
Agroisolab analysed a large number of disposable wooden cutlery on behalf of the WWF. The results were surprising. The majority of the disposable cutlery showed typical stable isotopic signatures for an origin from Russia: In Baumärkten und Einmalbestecken: Russland schmuggelt illegales Holz nach Deutschland – und verdient damit Milliarden - FOCUS online
This underlines how isotopic methods can be used as a powerful tool to trace the declared origin of wood-based products – especially in light of increasing concerns around illegal logging and mislabelled timber.
February 2025
Trace Element Analysis in Tomato Products – Limits and Considerations
In recent discussions around the origin verification of tomato-based products, trace element analysis (TEA) has gained attention as a potential tool. While TEA can offer valuable insights in certain contexts, it is important to be aware of the method’s significant limitations when it comes to reliably verifying geographic origin – particularly in processed food products.
Trace element signatures are influenced by a wide range of factors beyond geographic origin, including:
- Degree of ripeness: riper tomatoes generally contain higher concentrations of certain elements.
- Cultivation practices: fertilisation, irrigation and other agricultural methods can change the trace element concentration.
- Even the tomato variety and size show different concentrations of trace elements.
- Climatic events: heavy rainfall or draught can alter the trace element profiles.
These influences make the reliable use of trace elements considerably more difficult and lead to an ad-hoc analysis, i.e. the database can only be used at a specific point in time.
Additionally, during processing – including washing, blanching, heating, concentration, or contact with metal containers – external sources can introduce or alter trace element levels. This can mask the original natural signature, making the interpretation more complex.
Due to these factors, TEA should be regarded as a supplementary tool rather than a standalone method for origin verification. In our experience stable isotope analysis provides a more robust and reliable approach, especially for processed products.
July 2024
Agroisolab has terminated the cooperation contract with Agroisolab UK
Agroisolab UK Ltd. was an independent sales organisation in UK for us allowed to use our protected brand name “Agroisolab”. As Agroisolab UK Ltd. did not have the capability to measure stable isotopes, all measurements were carried out by Agroisolab GmbH in our accredited laboratory in Jülich, Germany.
Any UK customer can now use our service directly.
March 2024
Our groundbreaking work on the development of a database on the origin of European wood has now been published: “A framework for tracing timber following the Ukraine invasion”
In this groundbreaking study, Agroisolab was able to prove its outstanding potential with the methods it has developed. So, th evaluation and statistics were carried out independently of Agroisolab proving that even regional differentiation of timber is possible
We are delighted that Agroisolab has now set the standard for determining the origin of timber.
January 2024
Agroisolab is certified as an energy-efficient company in accordance with DIN 16247-1, which characterizes our commitment to using energy resources as sparingly as possible, e.g. for more than 2 years, photovoltaics has been used as an additional energy supply for the laboratory.
