Syngenta acquires biological crop protection technology

11th June, Syngenta announced that it has acquired Georgia-based Circle One Global, Inc., to add an innovative antitoxin crop protection technology to the companys portfolio. Circle One Global markets the product Afla-Guard(R), which is aimed at reducing aflatoxin, a toxin that can develop in crops such as corn and peanuts, particularly during heat and drought stress.

"The acquisition of this technology adds an important biological crop protection technology to the Syngenta portfolio, further complementing our modern crop protection portfolio," said Valdemar Fischer, president of Syngenta Crop Protection, North America. "Food security and quality are high on the agenda of the food chain and consumers. This new, sustainable technology can dramatically increase usable yield, protect growers investments in crop production, and may allow for the re-introduction of corn to parts of the southern U.S. where aflatoxin has prevented its cultivation for many years."

The Afla-Guard technology was originally developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service and licensed exclusively to Circle One Global in 2002. The product is currently registered for use on corn and peanuts in the U.S. Syngenta plans to apply for extension of the registration line to other crops and expand production to meet the anticipated demand. The Company also plans to seek registration of Afla-Guard in other countries.

Afla-Guard is the first registered microbial antifungal crop protection product for use on corn and peanuts that has been effective in reducing the levels of aflatoxin in these crops. Aflatoxin contamination costs U.S. corn and peanut farmers more than $200 million annually.

Afla-Guard contains a naturally-occurring, non-toxic fungus that reduces the development of the fungi that produce aflatoxin in grains, nuts and oil seeds through competition. Afla-Guard uses an inert agricultural granule carrier to deploy the spores of the non-toxic fungus. The spores grow and colonize the field, allowing for efficient growth of the crop. Use of Afla-Guard will provide a new and effective tool to complement cultural and management practices that can also help to reduce aflatoxin contamination.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.