Syngenta to increase fungicide Amistar production

Date:12-05-2011

15 years after the introduction of its fungicide Amistar, Syngenta has announced plans to dramatically increase global manufacturing.

Azoxystrobin, the active ingredient in Amistar, currently leads the global fungicide market across 120 crops in 80 countries but according to Syngenta’s Global Chief Operating Officer John Atkin more investment has been needed to ensure future international food demands are met.

"We’ve announced a capacity expansion program for Amistar, anticipating further growth in our unique fungicide solutions,” John said.

"The outlook for the development of our own portfolio is strong and in terms of azoxystrobin we intend to further leverage our highly efficient global production capabilities.”

Syngenta marketing manager for potatoes Richard Packard says that the increased manufacturing efficiencies coupled with the company’s ongoing investment in the active ingredient will make Amistar even more accessible to farmers.

"We want growers to be confident that the fungicide they are using is the most advanced product on the market,” he said.

"In the coming years we will be investing more than ever in ensuring that Amistar continues to be the best fungicide available.”

"A bonus for growers is that with Syngenta increasing its manufacturing capabilities it has been able to reposition the product to make it more affordable, delivering a greater return on investment to farmers.”

Leading chemistry in more crops than ever

Richard says that along with Syngenta continuing to support and invest in Amistar’s active ingredient through registrations, label extensions and technical support it is also developing applications in both new and existing crops.

"In Australia we currently have 12 label extensions across 15 crops in the registration process for Amistar 250SC – further proof of just how valuable a product Amistar has been since it was introduced to the marketplace 15 years ago,” he says.

"We see a new range of opportunities in different crop segments; that is what is justifying the investment and faith in it as a long-term feature in the Syngenta portfolio.”

As with any fungicide, the management of resistance is also critical in ensuring its ongoing performance in the field.

Syngenta is continuing to champion application stewardship in this area, with structured disease control programs, as well as the introduction of product innovation such as the development of Amistar Top in potatoes and tomatoes.

"With the introduction of these sorts of variants we are avoiding putting significant pressure on a single mode of action in these major use crops,” he says.