BASF leads Brazil's sustainable agriculture patent applications

The agrochemical multinational BASF has led patents in sustainable agriculture in Brazil for the last ten years, including genetically modified organisms (GMO), less toxic agrochemicals, and digital tools.

The study was sent to AgroPages by the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), which conducted the survey in partnership with the WIPO Green Coordination for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), in which Argentina, Brazil, and Chile have participated since 2019.

The survey analyzed patent applications made between 2011 and 2021 and found that BASF held 272 applications in the period, the highest number among all evaluated applicants.

Based on an international classification of patent applications, the study analyzed applications for technologies related to the different stages involved in the production chain of sustainable agriculture.

Carolina Lanza, manager of Intellectual Property at BASF in South America

According to Carolina Lanza, manager of Intellectual Property at BASF in South America, the study was conducted using its methodology, dividing the innovations into eight distinct categories.

Among these are genetically modified plants, including those that contribute to productivity and resistance to diseases and pests.

There were also patents on sustainable crop protection products, such as those with the lowest environmental impact .

Finally, there are projects in agriculture 4.0, through the application of digital tools that allow greater precision.

″Innovation protected by patents is one of the main pillars that allow the company to bring new technologies to the market. We are very happy because this is a spontaneous and independent study, which takes into account the different aspects and perspectives of sustainable agriculture,″ Lanza said.

This result reinforced the view that ″BASF has constantly been investing in the development of increasingly sustainable solutions in Brazil, seeking to contribute to the longevity of agriculture,″ she pointed out.

BASF highlighted the fact that it has ″a strong track record of recognition about the patents of its products″, frequently appearing in the Patent Asset Index, an international index of patent portfolios, especially within the technology segment of chemical products.

In addition, its entire product portfolio is constantly evaluated based on clearly defined sustainability criteria, using the Sustainable Solution Steering method (Accelerators products), the company said.

Ademar De Geroni Júnior, Vice President of Regional Marketing for the Agricultural Solution Division in Latin America at BASF

Ademar De Geroni Júnior, Vice President of Regional Marketing for the Agricultural Solution Division in Latin America at BASF, said, ″Brazil is one of our main markets for the Agricultural Solutions Division at BASF. The INPI survey proves our constant search to bring innovation to the production of food, fiber, and renewable energy.″

″In Brazil, we have already worked hard with a portfolio of products and services that help the farmer become more competitive and produce more sustainably,″ De Geroni Júnior said in conclusion.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)