BASF develops new device for safer use of agrochemicals

Multinational company BASF has developed a device with the goal of avoiding human contact with agrochemicals during spraying. The apparatus can be coupled with the jerry can and does not need an operator to open and dump the product.

"The apparatus is directly placed on the mouth of the machine and hoses are used to spray the chemicals. This causes the contaminated water to fall directly into the machine tank,” Hernán Ghiglione, Development and Research manager of the German company, explained.

Besides the reduction of exposition of the operator to the chemical product, the other benefit of the technology is that the jerry can with triple washing, which is recommended, can be reused or recycled.

According to Ghiglione, the device has already been developed and tested in Europe. It would be available in South America in the coming months. “Producers are very excited about this innovation. The idea is to bring the technology to Argentina as fast as possible, because it meets the new law in the country on the management of agrochemical packages,” he said.

Speaking on the new rules, the director of BASF sees the norms as positive. “Since the company has already recommended the use of jerry cans for safe management to producers, now it has become an obligation. There will be a framework for the use of agrochemicals. This will allow the same criteria to be used all over the country to avoid putting the lives of the operators and the community at risk,” he added.