At BASF world headquarters in Germany, the company is reporting a promising pipeline of new crop protection products. In 2015 alone, BASF spent €514 million on research and development in the crop protection division.
    

In the fungicide area, BASF plans to launch a new blockbuster compound to global farmers starting in 2019.  Already at an advanced phase of development, the new fungicide has demonstrated outstanding biological performance and is expected to become a key tool for effective disease control. Extensive research on this proprietary compound shows a high potential for broad-spectrum activity against a wide range of pathogens in many crops, including specialty crops.
    

BASF’s insecticide portfolio is also expanding with two new compounds increasing the number of tools for insect control and resistance management by the end of the decade. The compounds show strong commercial potential and are the result of successful collaboration with other partners. The active ingredient broflanilide brings a new mode of action that has demonstrated excellent levels of control for chewing pests – the biggest insecticide market segment – for use in row and specialty crops as well as the professional pest management market.
    

The other novel active ingredient, Inscalis, is effective against piercing-sucking insects, providing long-lasting control of aphids, whiteflies, and certain leafhoppers, psyllids and scales for use in specialty crops and other crop species. Both products will be launched in several markets across the globe.
    

“We have been very successful in translating ideas and challenges into best-in-class products and services for growers across the globe,” said Markus Heldt, president of BASF’s Crop Protection division. “Innovation remains a crucial component of agriculture today. It is a dynamic market, with ever-changing needs and new challenges, and we are happy that we can contribute with new solutions and technologies,” Heldt added.
    

“For us, innovation goes beyond the discovery of new molecules and agrochemical compounds,” said Heldt. “We are investing in areas such as IT, formulation technologies, biological crop protection and new business models as well.” In 2015, Functional Crop Care, the business area in BASF that offers solutions for healthier plants and higher yields to supplement conventional crop protection, launched Limus nitrogen management. 
    

Limus is a patented product that helps crops maintain optimal nitrogen availability through the most critical growth stages of plant development, which leads to more consistent yields. Other solutions from the Functional Crop Care segment are in the market introduction phase. 
    

BASF’s track record in successfully commercializing new products has proven to be a key growth pillar for the Crop Protection unit. Recently, more than 40 per cent of the business sales were generated by products launched in the past five years. 
    

“BASF continues to invest significant resources in order to help our Canadian customers produce the highest quality fruits and vegetables,” says Scott Hodgins, brand manager, horticulture and specialty products. “  As an example, in the last five years alone, we have introduced four new active ingredients and eight new products to the Canadian horticulture market.  At the same time, we continue to support the development of additional crop protection solutions through cooperation with the minor use system.”
    

Worldwide, BASF Crop Protection will continue to invest approximately nine per cent of its sales in R&D.

Source: BASF news release