MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF has expanded its pipeline of solutions for agriculture significantly and by 2028, will launch innovations with projected peak sales of more than EUR6 billion, said the company.
The pipeline contains a wealth of chemical and biological crop protection products, seeds and traits, as well as digital solutions. This will further strengthen the company’s leading position in innovative and sustainable agriculture. BASF’s innovation pipeline demonstrates tangible progress based on continuous investment in research and development, the integration of acquired businesses and strong partnerships. In 2019, BASF will spend around €900 million on R&D for agricultural solutions.
"We provide farmers with a full toolbox of innovative technologies, solutions and know-how, helping them develop their businesses successfully while addressing the demands of the food value chain," said Markus Heldt, President of BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division. “We are actively steering our current and future portfolio towards more sustainable solutions. Sustainability is firmly embedded in our entire R&D decision process, from early research to product development. This enables us to develop highly-effective, innovative compounds that benefit farmers, society and the planet."
Feeding the world’s growing population, while facing challenges such as unpredictable weather, efficient control of diseases and pests, scarcity of natural resources and available farmland, makes the need for innovation even more essential. These global trends are influencing food security and the overall sustainability of food and agricultural systems. BASF’s state-of-the-art innovation pipeline offers farmers new technologies and solutions in all key crops and regions to rise to these challenges.
An example of BASF’s innovation strength is its research and development for soybean production. One of the most important and in-demand crops in agriculture and trade, soybeans make a vital contribution to global food and feed supply. BASF has developed innovative solutions for soybean farmers to gain high yield and quality including:
BASF’s new soybean seed with the LibertyLinkGT27TM trait platform allows farmers to apply Liberty® herbicide, glyphosate, and pending regulatory approval, a new mode of action herbicide for post-emergence weed control. This innovative soybean technology will be available to farmers under BASF’s Credenz brand and licensee brands. The launch is planned for 2020.
As a corresponding disease and pest management tool, the company offers ILeVO® nematicide/fungicide seed treatment. It is the only product on the U.S. market that provides effective protection against Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and nematodes in the seed zone, resulting in healthier plants and higher yield potential. A further registration is anticipated in Brazil by 2020.
To ensure that farmers worldwide continue to have access to effective weed management, BASF has developed Tirexor® herbicide. This new active ingredient has been specifically designed to control resistant weeds including key grass and broadleaf weeds. The company submitted a regulatory dossier for this new herbicide in Australia and North America in 2018. Pending regulatory approvals, BASF expects first market introductions of Tirexor-based products in Australia in 2020.
To further expand its insecticide portfolio and offer additional solutions to farmers, BASF has co-developed Broflanilide with Mitsui Chemicals Agro, Inc. This active ingredient is a powerful and versatile new mode of action insecticide to control chewing pests. Initial market launches are expected in 2020.
BASF offers a similarly diverse and promising innovation pipeline across the entire crop cycle for further important crops such as canola, wheat, rice, as well as fruit and vegetables. The recently acquired businesses have significantly enlarged the scope of the company’s innovation platform, enabling BASF to offer even more comprehensive crop solutions and provide farmers with a real choice in a consolidated industry.
MRC