Lonza , INCOTEC sign a strategic collaboration agreement

INCOTEC and Lonza, market leaders in molluscicides and seed-coating technology, respectively, recently announced that they have entered a collaboration to develop, register and market metaldehyde-coated rice seeds for the control of the golden-apple snail pest on rice. Upon registration Malaysia is expected to be the first country in South East Asia where the product will be launched.

In order to assure income and guarantee productivity, rice producers need to protect their crops from pathogens and pests such as the golden-apple snail. To control this invasive species, growers use a number of products including off-label products. The collaboration between Lonza and INCOTEC offers a more efficient and target-specific solution, with a more positive environmental profile and of significant quality. This solution will help farmers protect their crops from this pest, which can cause considerable economic damage.

The goal of the SnailWise project is to provide rice farmers in South East Asia with an innovative tool that will allow them to control the golden-apple snail by combining INCOTEC’s leading seed-coating technology with Lonza’s leading market positions and lengthy experience in controlling slugs and snails.

In the context of the project, INCOTEC has developed a unique and patented technology for coating rice seed. Growers will get full protection from this specially designed seed coating treatment. The coating allows controlled release of the active ingredient, which is not affected by the required pre-sowing soaking process, and meets the requirements of modern pest management. SnailWise coated seed, can, in fact be applied locally and with limited human resources. The efficacy and specificity of metaldehyde is well demonstrated, and it has not been affected by the appearance of resistance genes in snail and slugs populations. This crop-protection technology will allow farmers to grow healthy crops while suppressing pest populations below the economic injury level and generally reducing the amount of active ingredient needed to control the pest without selecting for resistance genes.

Dr. Max Lauwiner, Vice President and Head of Lonza’s Agro Ingredients business said: “We are pleased that our leadership in the molluscicide business has been recognized by an innovative and leading company such as INCOTEC. We look forward to working together with INCOTEC to develop this new application method to control one of the most important and damaging invasive species, thereby helping to mitigate the loss of food sources and improve the farmer’s life.”

JanWillem Breukink, CEO and President INCOTEC Group B.V. said: “The golden-apple snail causes enormous damages to the rice production in many countries in South East Asia: yield losses of more than 20% are sometimes reported. We are very happy and proud that our unique technology in combination with the Lonza technology will give growers a tool for achieving higher rice-yield levels and to improve their income substantially. ”