30 Million Hectares at Stake as FMC and Bayer Launch Isoflex Active in EU and UK

FMC and Bayer have announced a pivotal collaboration to commercialize herbicide products containing Isoflex™ active (dichloro-thienyl-substituted oxazolone) across the European Union and the UK, aiming to combat herbicide-resistant grass weeds in cereals and other major crops.

Classified under Group 13 by the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC), Isoflex™ active represents a new mode of action—one of the few introduced in recent decades—delivering potent control against resistant grass species. The molecule is already registered in the UK as of 2024, with EU approval expected in 2025, pending regulatory clearance.

Under this strategic partnership, both companies will jointly launch Isoflex™-based solutions targeting winter cereals and oilseed rape. FMC plans to deploy its own formulations in corn, potatoes, and other crops, while Bayer will submit applications for combination products and co-market FMC-developed formulations for oilseed rape. Bayer will also elevate the Isoflex™ active brand in conjunction with its own.

With Europe’s winter cereal acreage spanning 30 million hectares, this launch delivers a vital rotation tool to growers grappling with weed resistance, particularly in the face of climate pressure and rising demands for food security.

FMC’s President emphasized that this alliance expands their reach in Europe and brings real value to growers who need new, effective tools. Bayer’s EVP for Crop Science echoed this, citing the urgent need for innovation in weed management as agricultural systems grow more strained.

Already commercialized in Argentina, Brazil, Australia, China, and India, Isoflex™ active has shown exceptional pre- and early post-emergence selectivity across crops like cereals, legumes, and oilseeds. The UK rollout is set for 2025, with EU-wide availability anticipated by 2027, based on final regulatory timelines.