New biologicals in 2024: A year of breakthroughs

The biological agri-inputs sector witnessed significant innovations throughout 2024. New biologicals have reinvigorated sustainable agriculture through novel active ingredients, formulations, and production processes. 

Based on AgroPages' 2024 reports, this article will show unique technologies and high-demand products that were registered or launched in 2024.

Some newly registered or launched products are unique locally or even globally:

UPL's seed treatment based on three strains, providing both nematicide and biostimulant efficacy

UPL's NIMAXXA has been registered and launched in Brazil and is the country's first biostimulant bionematicide. The product, as a result of a partnership between UPL and Novonesis, contains Bacillus paralicheniformis, isolate CH2970, Bacillus paralicheniformis, isolate CH0273, and Bacillus subtilis, isolate CH4000. According to UPL, these strains work in a complementary manner; once applied, they quickly colonize the roots, effectively controlling nematode eggs and juveniles; the product also provides biostimulant activity that promotes root growth and helps plants maintain resilience throughout the growing season. Nimaxxa offers practical advantages, including a two-year shelf life without refrigeration and six-month viability on treated seeds. Its compatibility with chemical inputs makes it versatile for various seed treatment combinations.

UPL has also launched Nimaxxa in the United States, the country's only nematicide seed treatment with three strains for season-long nematode control for soybean and corn. The product effectively controls major destructive nematodes, including soybean cyst nematode, root-knot nematode, and reniform nematode. 

EU’s first pollen polysaccharide provided by BASF

BASF has introduced the EU's first pollen polysaccharide product, which Newsun Crop Science developed. This biostimulant, derived from rapeseed pollen through green extraction technology, contains water-soluble sugars, such as polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, and monosaccharides, enriched with amino acids, minerals, and other ingredients. It promotes root development, enhances nutrient uptake and growth, and improves crop stress resistance and quality. This natural solution demonstrates high biological activity and is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. 

Pollen polysaccharide is protected by 13 invention patents, with applications filed and granted across major markets, including China, Brazil, the United States, and the EU. The patent protection encompasses novel molecular structures, functional applications, and formulation development. BASF and Newsun Crop Science will strengthen their strategic partnership and expand their joint presence in the European market.

China’s unique Kasugamycin-Paenibacillus polymyxa co-formulant, launched by Kernel

Wuhan Kernel Bio-tech has launched Qiji in East China, introducing the country's only pesticide co-formulated with kasugamycin and Paenibacillus polymyxa. Kernel uses a selected Streptomyces kasugaensis strain that will undergo an advanced process to produce fermentation broth with fewer impurities, followed by multi-stage ion exchange for further purification. The fermentation broth results in kasugamycin of exceptional purity. The company's patented Paenibacillus polymyxa KN-03 strain features a robust spore coat, demonstrating high tolerance to antibiotics and other compounds while enhancing crop resilience.

This dual-action formulation combines kasugamycin's systemic properties with KN-03's diverse modes of action and persistent protection. Together, they deliver consistent pathogen control. According to Kernel, the product application demonstrates rapid colonization and targeted efficacy, with the product protecting foliage and fruit while treating infection sites and promoting wound healing. The formulation has proven particularly effective in the sustainable control of various bacterial diseases, such as canker, soft rot, and angular leaf spot.

World’s first Trichoderma harzianum OD developed by MoonBiotech 

MoonBiotech’s Weiquanjin has been registered in China. The product is the world's first Trichoderma harzianum dispersible oil suspension (OD) pesticide. The product's active ingredient is the company's patented strain, Trichoderma harzianum TH7. In developing this formulation, MoonBiotech has overcome significant technical challenges, including oil medium selection, grinding process optimization, oil-water compatibility, and maintaining fungal dispersibility despite emulsifier presence.

According to the company, the product demonstrates excellent efficacy in controlling foliar pathogens while offering numerous advantages: a good safety profile, long-lasting protection, and strong compatibility with chemical pesticides. Its use can effectively reduce both pesticide resistance development and residue concerns. It shows promising potential for application on vegetables, flowers, and many other high-value crops.

Brazil’s first approval of fully inactivated Burkholderia

Bioceres Crop Solutions has secured Brazilian registration for three new biological insecticides/nematicides derived from inactivated cells of their proprietary Burkholderia. The company highlights that their advanced biopesticides, which use metabolites of inactivated microbes, offer advantages over live microbial preparations, including enhanced efficacy, precision, shelf-life, and greater consistency. Furthermore, these non-living bacterial formulations deliver higher potency at costs comparable to conventional chemical products.

Brazil, pioneering the use of biocontrol products in row crops, is projected to become the world's largest biocontrol market by 2030. Currently, bioinsecticides and bionematicides represent about 11% of Brazil's total insecticide and nematicide market, valued at US$5.5 billion, with an impressive average annual growth rate of 44% over the past five years. This regulatory approval enables Bioceres to commercialize their Burkholderia-derived products in Brazil and establishes a foundation for future related product launches in the market.

Microbes take center stage: Novel technologies elevate product efficacy

In the AgroPages 2024 reports on newly registered and launched biologicals, microbial solutions continue to dominate, with cutting-edge technologies to increase product efficacy emerging as a key innovation driver.

Bioiberica's biostimulant Terra-Sorb SymBiotic, containing Bacillus velezensis PH023, features their proprietary Priming Tech. This patented fermentation technology allows for the selection and conditioning of beneficial microbes, ensuring their great adaptability to field conditions. Terra-Sorb SymBiotic, as the first probiotic biostimulant utilizing this technology, strengthens the symbiosis between biostimulant and biofertilizer.

Similarly, Rovensa Next's Brazilian launch of three Bacillus subtilis-based fungicides, Row-Vispo, Ospo Vi55, and Mirarum, is combined with Bioevology technology. This technology leverages Rovensa Next's unique co-formulants to optimize the fermentation process and secondary metabolite production, enabling these biopesticides to achieve faster efficacy.

Regional market watch: Nitrogen fixation takes center stage in Brazil

Brazil is the country with the most newly registered and launched bio-products reported in 2024. The country's dynamic market has shown particular strength in solutions for biological nitrogen fixation.

These include many products based on nitrogen-fixing bacteria. For example, Corteva's Utrisha N stands out with its innovative Methylobacterium symbioticum SB23. It enters plants through leaf stomata, achieving complete colonization within seven days of application and active throughout the crop's cycle. Syngenta’s Rizoliq UHC Innovation, an advanced liquid Bradyrhizobium formulation, is designed for soybeans, allowing a 90-day pre-inoculation treatment period. Novonesis’ LeguMax Plus features a high-concentration inoculant of 5 billion CFU/mL Bradyrhizobium japonicum, allowing for reduced dosage and improved logistics of applying the biological inputs. ICL's contributions are ActiBioX Brady (Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 and SEMIA 5080), and ActiBioX Azos (Azospirillum brasilense AbV5 and AbV6). 

As the world's largest soybean producer, Brazil offers significant market potential for above Bradyrhizobium-based soybean inoculants. Meanwhile, Corteva's Utrisha N (for corn) and ICL's ActiBioX Azos (for corn, wheat, and rice) serve distinct crop segments, providing differentiated solutions in the biologicals market.

Beyond nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Revella, a Brazilian company, has introduced Sylos W-Se, a nanoselenium-based product that enhances nitrogen fixation. This product stimulates flavonoid and sugar synthesis, promoting nodule formation and providing essential substrates for nitrogen-fixing bacteria. It also enhances ureide production and transport, ultimately improving nitrogen fixation efficiency for crops.

The biologicals sector demonstrated remarkable innovation in 2024, with companies leveraging unique technologies and products to expand their global presence. These advances in formulation development, process technologies, and market expansion position the industry for continued growth. As technologies advance and market demands increase, biologicals are expected to play an increasingly crucial role in global food security and environmental protection.

Novonesis, MoonBiotech, Rovensa Next and other industry leaders will attend the 6th Biopesticides, Biostimulants and Biofertilizers Summit (BioEx 2025). Join us to explore groundbreaking innovations in biologicals, gain market insights, and forge strategic partnerships to expand your presence in this growing sector. Register for BioEx 2025 today!