Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Bunge, Cargill, COFCO International, Louis Dreyfus Co. and Glencore Agriculture, founding members of an industry-wide initiative to modernize global trade operations, have announced a new name for the project: Covantis. They also launched a new website, www.covantis.io, which explains the initiative's vision to connect the agriculture industry via an independent and trusted digital platform to enable post-trade efficiency for all participants.

Covantis will also be the name of the digital platform that is now in development and expected to launch in 2020, subject to regulatory approvals.

The Covantis initiative also announced that Stefano Rettore will lead the project as an independent advisor during the development phase – including overseeing the search for a chief executive officer – until governance is in place and a CEO is appointed. The future entity, executive appointments and the platform itself remain subject to regulatory approvals.

Rettore has more than two decades of global experience in the agribusiness industry. He served as president of ADM's origination business and, prior to that, as the company's chief risk officer. Before joining ADM, he held a series of leadership positions at agricultural co-op CHS Inc.

"I am delighted to help lead the Covantis initiative as we build toward the launch of a ground-breaking new technology platform," Rettore said. "Covantis offers a path to improve agricultural trade, unlocking significant value for all players across the supply chain. By working collaboratively with the industry, we have an opportunity to build a more effective, more efficient digital future for global trade."