Arysta LifeScience recorded flat agrochemical sales in 2010, with revenues inching up by 0.9% to ¥102,830 million ($ million at the current rate). The increase was a more positive 6.5% at constant exchange rates (CER). Agrochemicals made up 91% of total sales of ¥113,000 million ($ million). Herbicides remained the dominant category, accounting for 38% of sales. Insecticides followed with a 21% share, fungicides with 19% and other products making up the remaining 22% share. North American sales ...

Arysta LifeScience recorded flat agrochemical sales in 2010, with revenues inching up by 0.9% to ¥102,830 million ($ million at the current rate). The increase was a more positive 6.5% at constant exchange rates (CER). Agrochemicals made up 91% of total sales of ¥113,000 million ($ million). Herbicides remained the dominant category, accounting for 38% of sales. Insecticides followed with a 21% share, fungicides with 19% and other products making up the remaining 22% share. North American sales ...

Mitsui Chemicals’ agrochemical business, Mitsui Chemicals Agro, recorded sales of ¥34,846 million ($441 million at the current rate) in the year to March 31st 2011, down 12.5% from ¥39,807 million ($504 million) in the previous year. Net sales were “stagnant” due to declining sales volumes for products such as herbicides, the company says. However, there was a gain in operating income. Mitsui Chemicals Agro’s Funaoka plant experienced “minor effects” of the earthquake in March, but is operating ...

Dow AgroSciences has entered into a non-exclusive sublicensing deal with the US Donald Danforth Plant Science Center for the use of gene expression technology in the development of genetically modified disease-resistant cassava. The technology was developed by the US Scripps Research Institute and licensed exclusively to Dow. The Danforth group is developing cassava with resistance to cassava mosaic virus and cassava brown streak disease. Dow began collaborating on the project group in early ...

Monsanto has entered into an agreement with US agrochemical company American Vanguard (Los Angeles, California) to market Amvac’s post-emergence maize herbicide, Impact (BASF’s topramezone), as part of the Roundup Ready Plus programme. Monsanto recommends the use of certain third-party products with its Roundup (glyphosate) brands to tackle glyphosate resistance in Roundup Ready crops. It already has deals with Sumitomo Chemical subsidiary Valent USA Corporation, Makhteshim-Agan Industries and ...

A financial claim and class action application against Makhteshim-Agan Industries’ (MAI) chemical manufacturing plant has been “brought to its attention”. The reported claim is for damages allegedly caused by smell and noise, and comes from residents of Moshav Nir Galim and an inhabitant of Ashdod. The claim and application has yet to be served to MAI’s subsidiary, Agan Chemical Manufacturers. ”In the event that the claim is approved as a class action, the claimants estimate that the amount to ...

UK-based generic agrochemical trading company, AgChemAccess, has taken Dutch generic company Realchemie (Eindhoven) to court over non-payment for the purchase of the herbicide, metazachlor. Realchemie maintains that one of the products supplied infringes a third-party patent and wanted AgChemAccess to take it back. The transaction took place in the third quarter of 2008. Realchemie approached AgChemAccess wanting to purchase BASF’s Butisan brand under a parallel trade transaction. Unable to ...

United Phosphorus (UPL) has acquired a controlling 51% stake in the Brazilian subsidiary of German crop protection company DVA Agro (Hamburg). DVA Agro Brazil (Campinas) produces, markets, sells and distributes crop protection and specialty products in Brazil. UPL’s acquisition will include an immediate cash outlay of around $150 million, which will be accomplished through a primary infusion of funds in DVA Agro Brazil and a secondary purchase of shares from existing shareholders. DVA Agro ...

The impending takeover of Makhteshim-Agan Industries (MAI) by the Chinese state-owned China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina) has led to a cut in its credit rating. Rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has cut the company’s rating from ilAA- to ilA+, with a “stable” rating. “The company is exposed due to a lack of clarity regarding the impact of the acquisition of control of the company on its business strategy and financial policy.” It also notes MAI’s falling profitability and ...

Makhteshim-Agan Industries (MAI) has opened a new pesticide formulation and packaging plant at Dahej in the western Indian state of Gujarat. The facility will cater to the company’s businesses in India as well as its Asia Pacific and Africa region. Construction of the facility was initiated in October last year by a joint Indian/Israeli team. “The plant will enhance our platform in India, which also includes an R&D centre, and strengthen our growing activity in this important market,” says MAI ...

Syngenta expects to grow faster than the global crop protection market as a result of its integrated business model and innovative product pipeline. The company revealed in February its strategy to fully integrate its crop protection and seed business by the end of 2012 (Agrow No 610, p 2). “Since we announced our new strategy in February, we have made major progress in its implementation,” says chief executive officer Mike Mack. Syngenta is on track to integrate all territories by the middle ...