BASF's Initium is first active ingredient in new class of chemistry

Date:12-09-2008

* - Worldwide registration campaign is already in progress
* - Premium preventive activity against oomycete diseases for specialty crops

BASF Crop Protection has unveiled a new active ingredient called Initium. This proprietary substance is the first of a new chemical class that will soon broaden BASF's product line for specialty crops. Field trials have shown Initium to be a highly selective and effective fungicide to prevent late blight and downy mildew, aside from having an excellent overall regulatory profile.

"We are very excited about Initium. It is the latest fungicide from our innovative pipeline developed for the fast-growing specialty crop business. It joins a whole range of BASF active ingredients in this segment, such as boscalid, F 500 , dimethomorph, and metrafenone", says Peter Eckes, head of research and development at BASF's Crop Protection division.

Initium was submitted for EU registration in September 2008.

The worldwide registration initiative will continue through the end of 2009 in Latin America, Asia and North America.

Initium is scheduled to make its marketing debut in Latin America in 2010 as the active ingredient in several branded BASF products. Products powered by Initium are expected to enter selected European markets in time for the 2011 field season.

Initium products will support farmers world-wide, covering a broad spectrum of countries, crops and segments. Through coordinated setting of maximum residue limits and important tolerance for all uses, Initium will particularly appeal to growers of export crops, facilitating and encouraging the trade of produce.

About the Crop Protection division
With sales of EUR3,137 million in 2007, BASF's Crop Protection division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF's Crop Protection division is to be the world's leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population.