Certis, Chemtura sign seed treatment agreement in UK

Crop protection Certis has broadened its product portfolio through an agreement with speciality chemicals company Chemtura to market and distribute its entire range of seed treatment products.

This agreement sees Certis strengthen its position within the arable sector, completing the chain from planting through to harvest.

Certis is well placed in the UK to build and develop relationships with the seed trade and distributors and to deliver a high level of service, explains the firm’s Robert Lidstone.

“We are the smaller player and we represent a good alternative.”

With an expanded range and the business set to grow, the firm is also preparing for new products to join the seed treatment family in the next few years, he says.

The products currently covered under the agreement are the two established seed treatments Anchor and Thiraflo, as well as newer offerings Rancona 15ME, Rancona I-Mix and Signal 300ES.

The Rancona products, both approved for wheat and barley, are based on ipconazole, a triazole fungicide developed specifically for the seed treatment market, with no foliar recommendations.

“They are used in very low doses and the formulations are very good, with low dust once applied to the seed,” says Mr Lidstone.

These attributes make the Rancona products simpler to use in the seed plant, using less packaging. The microemulsion formulation of Rancona I-Mix makes it easier to handle too, the company says.

Mr Lidstone has high hopes for the latest addition to the range, Signal, containing 300g/litre cypermethrin, which can be co-applied with a single-purpose dressing. The product carries a recommendation for wheat bulb fly and the firm is seeking to widen the label to include wireworm.

“Having a range of products on offer and to add to in the future from Chemtura and other companies makes us a very credible offer to processors,” says Mr Lidstone.

Hutchinson’s David Ellerton sees these additions to Certis’ product range as a positive development.

“Certis is an established, very professional firm with a lot of resource and a good range of products and we could see alternative seed dressings in the future.”