BASF invests in biological insecticide production in Australia
- A$1 million to expand Somersby production facility
- Velifer® to be available to the Australian protected cropping industry
Melbourne, Australia – October 19, 2016 – BASF will invest around A$1 million to expand its production facility in Somersby, New South Wales. The investment will expand the existing plant at the site, which specialises in the production of biological crop protection products, to produce BASF’s Velifer® insecticide, starting from 2017.
Gavin Jackson, Head of Agriculture BASF Australia and New Zealand, said, “The investment shows BASF’s commitment to delivering the latest innovations in crop protection solutions to our customers in Australia.”
“With the innovation strength and critical mass of our global crop protection business, we aim to help the Australian agricultural industry grow and thrive. We offer the industry our broad portfolio, pipeline and strategic partnerships, along with our ability to move fast and understand growers’ needs,” added Jackson.
BASF will have around 25 new products in the pipeline for release over the next five years in Australia across its portfolio of crop, pest and turf solutions. “We are committed to Australia and excited to be further investing locally, in production and people, to deliver this new product to Australian growers. It demonstrates our confidence in the technical expertise and capacity of the team at Somersby to manufacture this product,” Jackson continued.
The expansion will commence in the fourth quarter of 2016, with production coming on line in 2017 when it will create up to six new positions in technical production.
Velifer is currently under evaluation with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Registration is expected to be complete around the end of 2017, after which time, the product will be available for sale in Australia.
Velifer is a biological insecticide which contains the spores of the naturally occurring soil borne fungus Beauveria bassiana. When used in an integrated pest management approach, Velifer can help prevent insects becoming resistant to pesticide treatment in high use situations such as protected cropping. Protected cropping refers to growing crops in greenhouses or covered by film.
Under the trade name Broadband®, Velifer was initially developed for sale in South Africa. BASF continues to develop the product for launch across a range of specialty crops in the US, EU, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. Production from the Somersby plant will support the global market for Velifer.
In 2015 the total global crop protection market amounted to around US$58 billion. Biologicals account for two percent of that, with an increasing share that BASF predicts will grow at 11 percent per annum.
Biological insecticides are, or are derived from, living organisms or natural extracts. Leveraging both biology and chemistry, BASF is able to provide a holistic solution, encompassing soil, seed and all life stages of plants until harvest, for growers who need more productivity out of every acre they work.
“When biological and chemical crop protection work together, hand in hand, we can achieve optimal insect control and maximise the results for our customers,” said Jackson.
From 2005 to 2015, sales of BASF’s Agricultural Solutions segment rose from €3.3 billion to €5.8 billion, which represents an increase of 75 percent. The company estimates that peak sales from crop protection products launched between 2015 and 2025 will total €3 billion.
About BASF’s Crop Protection division
With sales of more than €5.8 billion in 2015, BASF’s Crop Protection division provides innovative solutions for agriculture, turf and ornamental plants, pest control and public health. Our broad portfolio of active ingredients, seed treatments, biological controls, formulations and services optimizes efficient production of high quality food and protects against post-harvest loss, damage to buildings and the transmission of disease. By delivering new technologies and know-how, BASF Crop Protection supports the effort of growers and pest management professionals to make a better life for themselves and society. Further information can be found on at www.agro.basf.com or on our social media channels.
About BASF in Australia and New Zealand
BASF posted sales of about €428 million in Australia and New Zealand in 2015, serving key industries in the agriculture, coatings, construction, manufacturing and mining sectors. As of the end of 2015, the company had 442 employees and operated 11 production sites across the sub-region, manufacturing agricultural solutions, performance products and functional materials & solutions. BASF has been active in Australia for more than 90 years, and for about 60 years in New Zealand. Further information is available on the Internet at www.basf.com/au.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 112,000 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 five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of more than €70 billion in 2015. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information at www.basf.com.
