BASF acquires proprietary technology for L-glufosinate ammonium from AgriMetis
- Glu-L will deliver an improved, highly concentrated weed control solution reducing the needed amount of the product by up to 50 percent
- Provides a new production process with broad patent protection
- Acquisition further strengthens BASF’s competitive position in the crop protection industry by delivering a new tool to fight weed resistance
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, September 14, 2020 – BASF Agricultural Solutions acquired the proprietary Glu-L™ technology for L-glufosinate ammonium from AgriMetis, ™ an industry leader in biotechnological innovations for crop protection. With this technology, BASF will provide farmers with a more efficient solution and improved formulation to protect against troublesome weeds.
“The Glu-L technology builds on BASF’s continued commitment to innovative solutions that help farmers solve their most pressing challenges,” said Paul Rea, Senior Vice President, BASF Agricultural Solutions North America. “We know weed resistance continues to threaten farming operations, and this needed technology will help address this concern. It will also contribute to sustainable farming practices by reducing the amount of product needed to control weeds.”
With continued growth in the crop protection and seeds market, coupled with an expanding global population, it is increasingly important to conserve natural resources and meet consumer demand for transparency and food safety. Glu-L helps meet this demand. Today’s glufosinate products consist of the active L-glufosinate ammonium and the inactive D-glufosinate ammonium. The Glu-L technology converts the latter into active L-glufosinate ammonium. This makes the new product significantly more efficient.
While weed control with Glu-L is equivalent to currently available commercial glufosinate products, farmers applying the new technology can reduce the amount of crop protection they need to apply by up to 50 percent. This reduction will help create efficiencies for both farmers and the channel and make the distribution and application of the product even more sustainable than today’s solutions.
In addition, the comprehensive patent protection for this new technology puts BASF in a strong competitive position for the coming years. Glu-L has been submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will launch in the next few years upon agency approval. It will also be launched in other relevant regions.
BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division is continuously investing in its portfolio and researching new solutions that benefit farmers, the environment and society.
About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division
With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. Working with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others, it is our role to help make this possible. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline and broad portfolio, including seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work – for farmers, society and the planet. In 2019, our division generated sales of €7.8 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.
About BASF
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 18,800 employees in North America and had sales of $18.4 billion in 2019. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 117,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2019. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.
Media Relations contact
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Odessa Hines
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Email: Odessa.Hines@basf.com
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