Sumitomo Chemical, Bayer to Collaborate on New Fungicidal Mixtures

Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd and Bayer AG have reached an agreement on the development of fungicidal mixture products aimed at controlling soybean diseases in Brazil.

These products will utilise Sumitomo Chemical’s novel fungicide in combination with established Bayer fungicides to create a potent new means of combating major plant diseases.

The novel fungicide which Sumitomo Chemical is developing for global use is broadly effective against fungal pathogens and exhibits high activity against major soybean diseases such as Asian soybean rust. During the companies’ collaboration, Sumitomo Chemical will continue the global development of its fungicide, while Bayer will focus on the development of mixture products designed to manage fungal diseases prevalent in Brazilian soybean crops. Sumitomo Chemical will also develop its own mixture products utilising the fungicide.

Commercialization of the companies’ respective products will begin following their registration and due regulatory approval from relevant authorities. Both companies anticipate they will submit their product registration applications at the end of 2017.

“Our novel compound will bring effective solutions to control major diseases and help our customers improve their productivity and profitability globally. The mixture products to be developed by each company in Brazil will broaden the choices for soybean disease control and contribute to stable production with their excellent performance,’’ said Ray Nishimoto, Sumitomo Chemical‘s representative director, senior managing executive officer, and president of health & crop sciences sector.

“With this strategic partnership, we contribute to the sustainable development of farming in Brazil. Growers have consistently told us that bacterial, viral and fungal diseases, as well as devastating nematodes, are the biggest problems they face. As the world’s largest supplier of fungicides, we offer a wide range of tailored solutions that help Brazilian growers produce more sustainably,” added Liam Condon, member of the board of management of Bayer AG and president of the crop science division.