BASF Agricultural Products Presents Current Pipeline Outlook

by BASF

Acceleration of research and development projects in 2006 Active portfolio management continues to sharpen focus on innovation

BASF is a leading innovator of crop protection solutions. USDA photo. The peak sales potential of its development pipeline increased to €800 million, BASF Agricultural Products announced on March 14, 2007. The company promoted one promising fungicide to its development from its discovery pipeline. BASF is currently working on developing seven new active ingredients and on one new herbicide tolerance project. Seven additional crop protection active ingredients with a peak sales potential of €1,000 million are currently being introduced to the market. In 2006, BASF launched the corn herbicide topramezone. "Our development pipeline is in good shape, with projects making fast progress toward market introduction," says Michael Heinz, President of BASF Agricultural Products. The clear focus in our research and development work is paying off. In the coming years we will be launching promising compounds with novel modes of action that were designed for our key strategic markets and segments,” he adds. BASF is a leading innovator of crop protection solutions. In 2006, the division increased its research and development expenditure by €31 million to €334 million to accelerate its promising development projects. “The results of our research efforts are encouraging, and we are looking forward to providing our customers with even more innovative solutions,” says Heinz. BASF continues to focus its research efforts on the promising fungicides and insecticides segments, while pursuing selected opportunities in herbicides. At the same time, the company has pressed ahead with its dedicated research for the promising plant health and seed treatment segments. In 2007, BASF is planning to launch two new technologies from its promising pipeline of development projects: orysastrobin and metaflumizone. Orysastrobin is an easy-to-use, broad-spectrum rice fungicide, which was developed for the Japanese market. The insecticide metaflumizone will be a strong addition to the company’s portfolio, especially for urban pest control and the fruit and vegetables segment. While maintaining its strong commitment to innovation, BASF Agricultural Products continues to strictly manage costs and assets. “We are an innovation-driven team,” says Heinz, “building on a lean and agile organization. That’s why we continue to prune our product portfolio and optimize costs and assets.” In 2006, BASF divested major parts of the generics business Micro Flo in North America and the global terbufos insecticide business. 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.

Editor's Note: 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.agro.basf.com.