BASF Research Station celebrates 40 years with new investments in infrastructure

BASF's Research Station in Santo Antônio de Posse (SP) received investments worth nearly €7.6 million in infrastructure, laboratories and equipment after completing 40 years of activities in 2020.

The unit, together with the Research Station located in Trindade (GO), is part of the global research and development network of the Agriculture Solutions Division. In Latin America, the company has more than 30 research stations and advanced fields.

With these investments, the Santo Antônio de Posse Station will expand the Seed Treatment Technology Center to develop chemical and biological solutions for treating seeds, inoculants, polymers and carrying out quality tests. In addition, the unit now has the Crop Analytics laboratory, focused on the development of technologies in seeds, with the performance of molecular tests to guarantee the quality and integrity of the genetic material.

There is nearly 18,000 square meters of construction that has taken place after the investment. Improvements include the renovation and expansion of several buildings, including the administrative building and the cafeteria.

The work conducted in Santo Antônio de Posse contributes to research carried out worldwide by the company, for the development of solutions for the protection of crops and seeds, to develop innovations that can be used by farmers.

Some molecules widely used by farmers were developed and tested in Santo Antônio de Posse. One of the most emblematic examples is that of the active ingredient Xemium^®, which is used to control fungal diseases in soybeans, cotton, corn, coffee, peanuts, among other crops. The fungicides of the Xemium^® family provide excellent control of the main plant diseases, protecting the productive potential of crops. And more is to come.

The company plans to launch more than 35 solutions in Brazil by 2030 (including biotechnologies in seeds and pesticides), in addition to the launch of soybean and cotton varieties, digital tools and fruit and vegetable seeds. In Latin America, the forecast is for more than 180 launches. These new technologies pass through the Santo Antônio de Posse Research Station before reaching markets in countries of the continent.

“Innovation has a long way to go to the farmer, with the investment of time and resources. More than ten years of research and up to €300 million are needed to obtain a new chemical molecule. Santo Antônio de Posse Station is part of BASF's effort to offer integrated solutions that help solve the challenges that farmers face every day around the world. It is the technologies that contribute to the legacy of agriculture in the production of food, fibers and energy,” said Marcelo Ismael, director of Innovation, R&D of the Agricultural Solutions Division at BASF for Latin America.

Annually, the company invests nearly €900 million in the research and development of new solutions for agriculture.