Mitsui & Co., Ltd. announces the creation of new company, Certis Belchim B.V.

Mitsui and Co., Ltd. announced completion of a definitive agreement under which a new company, formed from the merger of its European subsidiary Certis Europe with its recent acquisition Belchim Crop Protection, will be launched. The new company will be named Certis Belchim B.V.

All shareholders of the legacy companies will continue to participate as shareholders in Certis Belchim. Details of shareholding participation in the new company are Mitsui AgriScience International S.A. (67%); Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd. (15%); Nippon Soda (10%); Mitsui Chemicals Agro Inc. (6%); and Kumiai Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. (2%).  

Mark Waltham, currently CEO of both Certis Europe and Belchim Crop Protection, is appointed CEO of Certis Belchim B.V., which will retain offices and functions in Utrecht, Netherlands and Londerzeel, Belgium.

A new force in crop protection

Certis Belchim combines the strengths of two well-established businesses to create a new force in crop protection with strong foundations in Europe, dynamic and growing platforms in North America and expanding opportunities with partners in Africa, South America and Asia. Certis Belchim is built on a broad and innovative portfolio of products based on Japanese R&D; acquired and self-developed proprietary products; Mitsui AgriScience group products; strategic partner suppliers; and a broad and market-leading range of biological products.

Quote from Hitoshi Kudo, General Manager, Agriscience Division, Mitsui & Co., Ltd.:

“Certis Belchim combines the resources and expertise of its two legacy companies, Certis Europe and Belchim Crop Protection, to present a significant force in the crop protection market.

The creation of Certis Belchim is a major milestone in Mitsui & Co. AgriScience group’s strategy to extend its position in the Food and Agriculture space and we are pleased to realize this strategic alliance with Japanese innovative R&D shareholders. We are looking forward to the journey together with the Certis Belchim team and our valued partners,creating new value and meeting the needs of growers as they face challenges of sustainable crop production.”

Quote from Mark Waltham, CEO, Certis Belchim B.V.:

“Certis Belchim is built on the foundations of two creative and dynamic companies who have positioned themselves as providers of innovative crop protection solutions, supported by best-in-class technical and product knowledge and we will continue to build from these foundations in Europe and beyond. I am very excited to be leading such a capable team. We are united in our ambition to help our customers and suppliers develop innovative products and programs designed to protect crops around the world sustainably; this is the essence of “growing together.”