BASF expands innovative agricultural products to Asian growth markets

* Novel insecticide scheduled for early launch in India and China
* Focus on high-value fruit and vegetable segment
* Several new products in development for Indian and Chinese markets


BASF’s Agricultural Products division is stepping up its efforts to bring new and innovative solutions to the Asian growth markets India and China. Over the past few years, the company has brought numerous products to these countries containing proprietary BASF technology. This year, India and China will be among the first countries to get access to BASF’s latest pipeline insecticide, metaflumizone.

While Japan is still BASF’s strategic market in the region, BASF has a dedicated strategy for the exciting markets India and China. After successful market introductions in Japan and Korea earlier in 2006, BASF in December received registration for its blockbuster fungicide boscalid in China under the name Kai Tse®. This product is tailored for use in the fruit and vegetables segment. Additionally, new products with the fungicide F 500® are scheduled for launch in India in the coming months, both in solo products and in combination with other active ingredients. Growers in China are already excited about Cabrio Top® (F 500® and metiram). In addition to superior disease control, products with this innovative technology can bring higher yields.

“As the Chinese and Indian economies grow, there is a rising demand for high-quality fresh produce,” says Michael Heinz, President of BASF’s Agricultural Products. “BASF is expanding in this fast-growing segment with solutions that help domestic growers offer superior produce in terms of quality and safety,” Heinz adds. “We are excited about bringing our newest insecticide, metaflumizone, to these countries. Recent progress made in the protection of intellectual property is also encouraging.”

In 2004, BASF launched an innovation offensive in India, the world’s tenth-largest crop protection market. “More discerning consumers and an improved regulatory framework prompted us to bring more of our state-of-the-art products to our customers in India,” says Nevin McDougall, head of BASF’s Agricultural Products division in Asia. “BASF now sells many of its most important insecticides and fungicides in India, putting the company in a pole position to profit from expected yearly market growth of 4%,” he added. BASF is currently developing five new products for the Indian market, which it plans to launch in the next five years.

With yearly sales of around $1.7 billion in 2005, China is the world’s fifth-largest crop protection market. Analysts put yearly growth at between 3%-5%. Of the other top-ranked markets, only India shows similar growth.

“Of course, the high-value segment in China today is still small compared to other countries. But it is growing faster than the overall crop protection market,” says Heinz. “We target this segment of the market with our innovative products, and here solutions for fruit and vegetables are key.” BASF’s strategy has paid off. Sales in China have more than doubled in the past two years. BASF has ambitious plans for the Chinese market through 2012. In addition to the introduction of numerous BASF innovations, label extensions and new active ingredients will help raise the standard of agriculture in the country.

To bring the right crop protection products to China, BASF has formed working relationships with several top-tier agricultural research organizations such as Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU), the Institute of Plant Protection of Beijing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the Institute of Plant Protection of Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences. In December, BASF set up a scholarship program with NAU to extend the partnership. Earlier this year, BASF launched two projects with this university in the area of resistance monitoring and mode of action studies of fungicides. This is the first project of its kind that BASF is working on with a Chinese agricultural university at the research level.

We are impressed by the hard work and new ideas coming from these bright young talents,” says Peter Eckes, head of research and formulation development at BASF’s Agricultural Products division. We also look forward to working with these partners to bring our pipeline of innovative new active ingredients to growers in China.”

With sales of €3,079 million in 2006, BASF’s Agricultural Products division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Agricultural Products division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF’s high-value products and intelligent system solutions help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to meet the challenges of the future and open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. BASF has over 95,000 employees and posted sales of €52.6 billion (approximately $66.1 billion) in 2006. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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Elise Kissling

BASF

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