Highly Standard Formulation Company to Support Sustainable Agrochemicals from Thailand to Global

P. Chemitech (Red Dog) company was founded in 1970 and is one of the leading Agro-Chemical company in Thailand, under the trademark Red Dog, representing a very strong brand for 53 years.

The manufacturer is located in Bangpu Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan province, with an area of more than 16,000 sqm. In 2004, they became the first glyphosate 62% manufacturer in Thailand and in 2007, established the first 2,4-D Amine plant in Thailand. Agriculture is a fundamental occupation for the population. It has the potential to produce enough food to feed the world's population in the future, and Red Dog will be part of this important drive. Dr. Alisa, the head of P. Chemitech and Ms. Varisara (Jelly), the third generation of the family, recently had an interview with AgroPages. They are determined to build a high standard to high quality products.

Dr. Alisa, the head of P. Chemitech and Ms. Varisara (Jelly), the third generation of the family

Please briefly introduce RED DOG’s history, milestone events in 53 years, Thailand/ASEAN presence and core competitiveness.

Red Dog’s history has contributed to the development of agriculture while running its business with sincerity and ethics. It has earned the confidence of farmers and business partners for more than 53 years.

1970    P. Chemitech Company Limited founded by Mr. Ek Lertdetdecha.

1974    First manufacturer and GR plant in Nonthaburi province.

1986    Became the sole distributor of 2,4-D Sodium Salt from Poland until now.

1989    Established formulation plant under the name Thai Herbicide Company Limited at Bangpoo Industrial Estate, Samutprakarn province.

1997   Established Standard Laboratory for agrochemical, established EC and SL formulation plant.

2002     Established the Research and Development Center in Nakhonpathom province.

2004    Became the first Glyphosate formulator, and the only one with glyphosate 62% IPA in Thailand.

2007    Became the first 2,4-D Amine formulator in Thailand.

2014    Business expanded to Cambodia market.

2015    Business expanded to Myanmar market.

2018    Established Alvy Crop Solution Company Limited mainly focus on environmental-friendly products.

2022    Changed the manufacturer name from Thai Herbicide Company Limited to THC Agroscience Company Limited.

Initially, agrochemicals were sold using the dog logo on the red background because it conveyed honesty and sincerity. It has been accepted well by farmers because of the product’s quality and brand recognition. It is popularly and consistently called ‘Red Dog’ by farmers. The products we sold in the early days were herbicides, although they were generic herbicides. We selected raw materials from quality sources that resonated with farmers. Currently, we sell products under the Red Dog brand to many neighboring countries. Quality and service have always been our primary strength and priority, and customers have recognized this for years.

What are your company’s main product lines? How many products can you offer to the market? How many registrations do you have, and what is your next-generation product?

Red Dog has become a leading formulator, manufacturer, distributor, and importer-exporter of more than 100 registered off-patent and patented product on coming crop protection products (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and plant growth regulators) as well as chelated micronutrients, foliar fertilizers, and bio-stimulant.

We have a manufacturer named THC Agroscience Co., Ltd. (formerly Thai Herbicide Co., Ltd.) that most suppliers know well. The THC plant is the first and only glyphosate production base registered to produce glyphosate 62% IPA in Thailand for domestic and export distribution. It has a formulation plant for EC, G, SC, and SL formulation and the development of OD formulation. In addition, we have more than 20 products registered in neighboring countries. Our factory is ISO 9001 certified, and ISO 14001 certificated, and our laboratory is ISO/IEC 17025 certified.

Of course, we know that some items are becoming obsolete or should be banned because of the impact on the environment or human safety and have to leave the market. We are currently seeking new products and new technologies such as Ag-Technology, Precision-Ag, and innovations for essential formulation to support plant cultivation, food and feed production in the future, and also that are environmentally friendly.

How do you see the rapid change in the agricultural market of Thailand/ASEAN? What new requirements are proposed for enterprise development? Do you believe any factor will influence the development?

Currently, Thailand and ASEAN countries face the problem of changing weather conditions from El Nino and La Niña. However, crop production does not meet expectations and has affected the decision to produce crops in the future. They also face problems caused by food demand and the problem of transporting food supply chains during the COVID-19 crisis, which has an economic impact. In the past, the agricultural sector was still considered less sensitive to various situations and still managed well to a certain extent.

In my opinion, such impacts will occur in a short period because food production is currently inadequate for the people’s consumption in many parts of the world and Thailand still aims to be The Kitchen of the world, therefore, definitely not affecting our company's development plan.

Pesticide always serves farmers. Please say more about your product R&D system, production capability and application technology? Could you highlight the innovative formulation technology and special features?

Nowadays, the sale of pesticide products requires accurate knowledge, valuable and safe use advice, and product development per global trends. We have invested in R&D for more than 20 years. We have an R&D station and experienced teams working with expert people from the government sector. Initially, we were screening products before they were registered in the country. Later, they were tested to find new products and solutions for farmers by developing new formulations to meet market demands, comply with legal guidelines and consider toxicity and environmental residual impacts. For example, we develop SC or OD, or even EC formulations that are safer and friendlier to the environment. By replacing xylene with green solvent, or even SL formulations, we are constantly improving to ensure the maximum benefits to the farmer. Another formulation we are skilled and strong in is GR. We are improving and enhancing the performance, and it is being developed to make it compatible with drones.

We have developed an advisory service for farmers by working and seeking the cooperation of many leaders from the agricultural sector, such as the Agriculture Safety Association. We intend to develop innovation and support the extension of technology with academic agencies, such as the Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, to improve the well-being of farmers and the agricultural sector in Thailand, including in the ASEAN.

Could you explain your country’s or ASEAN’s regulations and policies covering agrochemicals and formulations? Are there any new policy that is beneficial or not beneficial to developing local production and sales?

Currently, Thailand still uses the old law to regulate pesticide registration and authorization. This is not blocked for new products, but only information and documents is required for consideration by the Department of Agriculture. The presence of new substances or new formulations should be submitted to the committee and authorized before registration. Both chemical-pesticide and bio-pesticide registration are required, but the conditions of consideration will vary to some extent. Thailand’s legal outlook takes into the environmental impact and residue effects. However, the business sector must adapt to comply with the law.

What are your expectations for the future development of RED DOG? Is there any requirement from your prospective partners?

At Red dog we never stop evolving. Nowadays, in addition to the development of R&D, we also have ways to invest in developing agricultural technologies such as agricultural tools or find technology in conjunction with drones. We use agricultural factors to increase farmers’ productivity, finding new partners in new innovations for the crop production sector to build on long-term and sustainable success. To increase competitiveness, we plan to create new businesses to support the entire value chain of the agricultural sector, such as Ag-Tech, Biopesticide, and Biostimulant, create a logistic network, Food Processing, etc., to meet the trend in the agricultural sector that has been adopted.

We see that agriculture is a fundamental occupation for the population in many countries of the region, not just Thailand. It has the potential to produce enough food to feed the world's population in the future, and Red Dog will be part of this necessary drive.

Finally, we welcome you all to Thailand. We can provide agrochemicals and more to serve industry, serve distribution needs, and serve research and deployment with a professional team and high standards from upstream to downstream. My vision is to provide agrochemicals to benefit farmers around the world, to create Thailand as the Kitchen of the World, and to bring sustainable agrochemicals from Thailand to the world.

Contact Person

Miss Natchaya Chumsawas
R&D Department Director
Email: contact@reddog.co.th

Mr. Thepchai Thepchuasuk

Managing Director

Email: contact.sm@reddog.co.th

This article will be published in AgroPages '2023 Formulation & Adjuvant Technology ' magazine to be published this May.

If you'd like to share your company's story and products/solutions. Please contact Grace Yuan via: grace@agropages.com