Skip to main content

Feature article - The agchem CDMO opportunity: Maximising India’s share

Amit Gandhi and Amita Parekh, managing directors and partners at BCG, look at the opportunities for Indian CDMOS in the global agrochemical industry

If one were to imagine the ‘ideal’ industry for India’s chemical exports, it would most likely be globally relevant, with customers who outsource a significant percentage of the critical synthesis steps, and have a strong need for innovation and IP protection. agrochemical CDMO  industry ticks all these boxes.

EC proposes 50% cut in chemical pesticides

The European Commission (EC) is proposing a Regulation that will impose legally binding targets to reduce the use of chemical pesticides by 50% from the average level consumed in 2015-17 by 2030. This is part of the Farm to Fork Strategy objective of delivering “a fair, healthy and environmentally respectful food system”.

Evonik in Brazilian alliance

Evonik has entered into a technological cooperation agreement with the AgTech Garage innovation centre in the Piracicaba Technology Park in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This came shortly after the company opened its new ‘Agro Hub’ at Americana in the same start AgTech Garage is described as an innovation hub that seeks to connect start-ups, producers, investors, academics, scientists and others in the development of sustainable agribusiness.

RAC: No change to glyphosate classification

The EU’s Risk Assessment Committee has assessed glyphosate’s hazardous properties against criteria in the Classification, Labelling & Packaging Regulation and concluded that its classification should not be changed. This is consistent with the proposal of the four member states currently assessing the substance and RAC’s own 2017 opinion.

Sumitomo plans two exits

Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical has decided to sell its 15.9% stake in Australian agrochemical company Nufarm. It has separately announced its decision to close down its dyestuff facilities at its Osaka Works and exit the dyestuffs business by the end of March 2023.

The company originally took a 20% stake in Nufarm in 2010 and also acquired four subsidiaries of Nufarm in South America in 2020. The two also formed a comprehensive business alliance, which will continue after the dissolution of the capital relationship.

Saltigo in pheromone deal

Saltigo has signed a contract for another production campaign of the insect pheromone Pheron E7-E/Z9-12Ac with Provivi, which provides crop protection systems via pheromone technology. The two companies worked together to complete the technical transfer, optimisation and scale-up to tonne volumes at Saltigo’s site in Leverkusen.

Dow to add alkoxylation capacity

Dow has announced plans to expand its alkoxylation capacity in the US and Europe in 2024 and 2025. The investments are backed by supply agreements with customers and are being made to meet 10-15%/year growth in end markets including home and personal care, industrial and institutional cleaning, pharmaceuticals and crop protection.

Subscribe to Agrichemicals