Kao adding new product to agrochemical-spreader lineup

Kao Corp., which is the largest producer in Japan of spreaders for agrochemicals on the strength of its surfactant technologies, is preparing to have a new product put on the market in the spring of 2011 and aiming to lift its share of the domestic spreader market to 30%, from the current 20%.

Agrochemicals are mixed into spreaders, which are primarily composed of surfactants, to enhance their penetration ability and facilitate the spreading of spray solutions on plant surfaces.

Kao’s new Agrade was registered May 25 and will be launched through Maruwa Biochemical, initially targeting the cultivation of apples and then peaches and pears. Agrade consists of polynaphthyl methane sulfonic acid dialkyl dimethyl ammonium, a cationic surfactant, and polyoxyethylene fatty acid seter, a nonionic surfactant. Its cationic-surfactant component makes it bacteriostatic, and when combined with a bactericide it can stabilize the bactericidal effect. It is designed for use on a wide variety of crops including fruit trees, for which sticker-spreader products are generally used, vegetables, potatoes, beans, rice, wheat and coarse cereals.

Kao currently manufactures and sells five spreaders: Needs, Applauch BI and Squash, for use with a range of pesticides; and Supply and Surfactant WK, for herbicides.