2023 Overview of Globally Registered, Launched Pesticides and Analysis of High-value Product Varieties

It has become the common goal of multinational agrochemical companies to constantly provide global farmers with innovative agricultural solutions and promote the sustainable development of international agriculture through scientific and technological innovation, which are reflected in particular by the development of crop protection products.

Looking back at 2023, the market launch of new pesticide compounds is still decreasing. Multinationals have primarily focused on developing new formulations, formulas, and application scenarios for existing products to promote product innovation and upgrading. Regarding product categories, SDHI fungicides have developed rapidly and are still the priority of development by multinationals. In terms of insecticide products, in recent years, with the rapid rise of ryanodine receptor-based insecticidal chlorantraniliprole, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and ryanodine receptor-based insecticides are expected to dominate the insecticide industry. In the meantime, the market release of new products such as isocycloseram and dimpropyridaz brings new blood into the insecticide industry. On the other side, herbicides account for half of the pesticide market, which are, however, required to include varieties of new modes of action, new sites of action, and product mixtures. There is now an urgent need to launch more innovative solutions. 

SDHI fungicides are developing rapidly, and multinationals making one production layout after another 

In recent years, SDHI fungicides have developed rapidly, following the strobilurin fungicides and triazole fungicides, currently ranked among the top three in the fungicide market. It is predicted that the sales of SDHI fungicides will break through US$3 billion in 2025. At present, more than 20 SDHI fungicides are already launched to the global market, with total sales of $2.3 billion in 2021, including six products with a sales value of above $100 million, namely, fluxapyroxad, benzovindiflupyr, boscalid, bixafen, fluopyram, and sedaxane. Among them, the new launches include Syngenta’s pydiflumetofen and cyclobutrifluram, Sumitomo Chemical’s inpyrfluxam, Bayer CropScience’s isoflucypram and FMC’s fluindapyr. All the above show a significant potential, which will further drive the market growth of SDHI fungicides. 

The tremendous growth potential has driven the multinational’s in-depth development of SDHI products. In 2023, multinationals such as Syngenta, BASF, Corteva, Bayer, and ADAMA conducted further research and development of SDHI fungicides concerning the type of formulation, formula design and application technology to adapt to different application scenarios.

Pydiflumetofen (Trade name: Adepidyn, Miravis) is the 4th SDHI fungicide variety developed by Syngenta following isopyrazam, sedaxane, and benzovindiflupyr. Pydiflumetofen has been granted registration across more than 50 countries for use in more than 100 crops for control of more than 30 major diseases. In the future, its peak annual sales are expected to exceed $1 billion. The compound patent will expire in 2029. In 2023, Syngenta launched its pydiflumetofe mixture Miravis^®Star (pydiflumetofe + fludioxonil) and Miravis^® Pro (pydiflumetofen + prothioconazole) in Canada and Brazil for prevention and control of Sclerotinia control in canola and soybean target leaf spot respectively. In addition, California has approved Syngenta’s fungicide Miravis^® Prime (pydiflumetofe + fludioxonil) for use on almonds to control brown rot blossom blight, scab, rust and alternaria leaf spot. 

Cyclobutrifluram is Syngenta’s new generation SDHI fungicide launched after more than 10 years of effort, which is the company’s 5th SDHI fungicide/nematicide. In the coming years, Syngenta is prepared to launch the product in more than 60 countries for application to more than 100 crops. It is predicted that the peak annual sales of cyclobutrifluram are expected to reach $500 million. Its compound patent will expire in March 2033. In October 2023, Syngenta’s new fungicide/nematicide cyclobutrifluram (Tymirium^®) was granted registration in China for control of tomato root-knot nematodes, which will be later extended for use like control of wheat stem rot. 

Sedaxane is a broad-spectrum specialty seed treatment agent. Since its launch, Syngenta has developed a range of sedaxane mixtures to meet the needs of different scenario applications. In November 2023, Syngenta Canada Inc. announced the launch of Cruiser Maxx^® Vibrance^® Potato fungicide and insecticide seed treatment（fludioxonil + thiamethoxam + difenoconazole + sedaxane）to combat a broad spectrum of yield-inhibiting pests.

The first market launch of fluxapyroxad took place in the UK in 2012. It is now the largest SDHI fungicide variety, with global sales of nearly $500 million, second only to pyraclostrobin, having become BASF’s second largest fungicide variety and the 8th largest fungicide variety in the world, with an expected peak annual sales value of 600 million euros. The product has been granted registration and launched in major markets, being planned for sale in more than 70 countries for application to more than 100 crops. Its compound patent will expire in 2026. In 2023, BASF launched to German market its novel fungicide Diadem (mefentrifluconazole +fluxapyroxad) for use in sugar beet, not only to control diseases but also to manage resistance from various leaf diseases that threaten crops. Subsequently, BASF released its fungicide Sistiva (fluazoleamide) for seed treatment in wheat in Brazil, which can also be used in soybean, corn, cotton, and rice.

In 2023, ADAMA launched the new fungicide Almada (fluxapyroxade + mancozeb + prothioconazole) into the Brazilian market. It is a smart combination that gives the product higher quality and higher efficiency, providing farmers with a total solution for widespread control of soybean diseases. 

Fluopyram is an SDHI fungicide/nematicide developed by Bayer, sold in more than 80 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, and 25 European Union member states. Its compound patent expired in August 2023. In 2023, Bayer CropScience launched its high-quality pre-mixed fungicide, Luna^® Pro SC (prothioconazole + fluopyram) in the United States, which can control both foliar diseases and soil-borne diseases in potatoes. Bayer CropScience also launched the fungicide Delaro^® Complete (prothioconazole + trifloxystrobin + fluopyram) in Western Canada for legume crops such as chickpeas and lentils. 

In 2023, Corteva obtained registration in Brazil of the fungicide Vessarya (picoxystrobin + benzovindiflupyr) for control of soybean anthracnose, asian rust, powdery mildew, soybean gray spot and other common crop pathogens. Benzovindiflupyr is Syngenta’s largest SDHI fungicide variety, ranking second in this category of fungicides, with peak annual sales being expected to break through $500 million. Its compound patent expired in October 2023.

Chlorantraniliprole dominates insecticide market while new products such as dimpropyridaz contribute to industry advancement

With the stricter regulation of environmental compliance and the increased attention to ecological protection, significant changes have occurred in the structure or global sale of insecticide varieties. In recent years, the ryanodine receptor-based insecticide chlorantraniliprole is rising rapidly, which may drive pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and ryanodine receptor-based insecticides to dominate the insecticide industry.

At present, bisamide insecticides are the most eye-catching insecticide products on the market, following neonicotinoid insecticides, as well as the fastest-growing insecticide products in recent years. Among the bisamide insecticides, chlorantraniliprole, which ranks first in global insecticide sales, has been the most eye-catching product, with global sales to break through $2 billion in 2023, being also expected to exceed $2.5 billion in the years ahead. The future of chlorantraniliprole formulations lies in its differentiated development concentrated on innovation in formula design and formulation technology and also the new market opportunities in new market segments, new categorizations, and new application, such as pesticide-fertilizer integration and soil insect control.

In 2023, FMC launched the insecticide Premio Star (chlorantraniliprole + bifenthrin) in Brazil, for control of citrus psyllids (Diaphorina citri) and citrus moth (Ecdytolopha aurantiana) as well as control of major soybean and corn pests, such as caterpillars and stink bugs. Furthermore, FMC has launched in the United States the novel high-concentration insecticide, Coragen^® eVo (chlorantraniliprole), used in tobacco, cabbage/brassica crops, potato, tomato, lettuce, sweet corn, alfalfa, strawberry, and some other vegetables. 

Targeting the Indian market, in 2023 ADAMA launched its first generic chlorantraniliprole formulations, Cosayr SC and Lapidos GR, which effectively control a wide range of rice and sugarcane insect pests, with the improvement of crop yield and quality. The Indian company Dhanuka Agritech has launched the insecticide SEMACIA (chlorantraniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin) to prevent and control lepidopteran pests on many crops. 

As a new research hot spot in insecticides, the emergence of Isocycloseram has strongly promoted the application of 1,2-oxazolidine insecticides in crop protection. Since 2021, Syngenta has obtained registration of the SC formulation and DC formulation in Argentina, South Korea, Australia, and Vietnam. In 2023, in India, Syngenta launched two new insecticides based on PLINAZOLIN^® technology (Isocycloseram), which are respectively the Incipio and Simodis, for application to Indian rice, cotton and vegetables; In Brazil Syngenta launched two insecticides, which are VERDAVIS SC (Isocycloseram + lambda-cyhalothrin) and SPONTA (Isocycloseram) as well as the insecticide/acaricide Joiner (Isocycloseram). In Australia Syngenta launched its seed treating Equento (Isocycloseram). 

In 2023, BASF launched the Efficon™ insecticide(dimpropyridaz)  in the Australian market. It became another blockbuster product of the company for control of piercing-sucking mouthparts pest. The product was highly effective in controlling aphids, whiteflies, leafhoppers, scale insects, and thrips, very fit for fruit trees and vegetables, field crops, flowers, and ornamental plants. BASF is planning to promote the product further in Asia, Europe and South America in the future. Its peak sales are expected to exceed $100 million, and the compound patent will expire in April 2032. 

Besides the above-mentioned, multinationals have launched a series of neonicotinoid/pyrethroid insecticides and their mixtures. For the Latin American market, in 2023, Syngenta obtained registration of the insecticide Elestal Neo (acetamiprid + spiropidion) in Brazil for control of whiteflies at all stages of crop growth; In Brazil, ADAMA launched its insecticides Trivor (acetamiprid + pyriproxyfen) and Seizer (bifenthrin); FMC launched the preventive insecticide Mustang 20 EW (Z-cypermethrin) in Argentina and the insecticide Amethyst (Z-cypermethrin + bifenthrin) in Paraguay; Sumitomo Chemical launched the insecticides Decision (acetamiprid + cypermethrin) and Kaiso Max (imidacloprid + lambda-cyhalothrin) in Brazil; Albaugh launched the insecticide Afiado SC (acetamiprid + bifenthrin) in Brazil for the control of soybean stinkbugs. Moreover, BASF launched the seed treating Poncho^® Votivo^® Precise (clothianidin + bacillus firmus I-1582) in the United States; and UPL launched the novel insecticide Argyle (acetamiprid + bifenthrin) in India.

HPPD-inhibiting herbicides lead resistance management, and more innovative solutions are being created to manage increased resistance

According to the international herbicide-resistance database, as of February 5, 2024, there are currently 530 unique cases (species x site of action) of herbicide-resistant weeds globally, with 272 species (155 dicots and 117 monocots). Weeds have evolved resistance to 21 of the 31 known herbicide sites of action and to 168 different herbicides. Herbicide-resistant weeds have been reported in 100 crops in 72 countries. This shows that the management of resistant weeds has become the most challenging job in the herbicide industry, which has seriously affected the effect of control of herbicides and the yield increase of crops. Therefore, it has become urgent to develop novel herbicide varieties with new modes of action, and new site of action as well as formulation of mixtures of related products.

In recent years, agrochemical companies, especially multinationals, have been developing solutions to weed resistance management. Among them, the HPPD-inhibitor herbicide has become a hot product in a variety of research and development, attributable to its slow development of resistance and low risk of resistance. In 2023, the HPPD-inhibitor herbicide sales are expected to reach $2.215 billion. So far, HPPD-inhibiting herbicides available on the market involve various chemical structure-based compounds such as triketones, pyrazolones and isoxazolone, and mostly the triketone and pyrazolone compounds. 

Bicyclopyrone is Syngenta’s 3rd triketone herbicide successfully launched to market, following sulcotrione and mesotrione. It is an HPPD inhibitor, which is the fastest-growing product among HPPD herbicides in recent years. In 2015, bicyclopyrone was launched in the market, and is now granted registration and sold in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, and Australia, for weeding in corn fields. In July 2023, Syngenta’s novel corn herbicide Storen™ (bicyclopyrone + mesotrione + s-meolachlor + pyroxasulfon) was granted registration in the United States. Its lasting effect is three weeks longer than other corn herbicides. Later, Syngenta launched the herbicide Talinor (bicyclopyrone + bromoxynil) in Canada for the prevention of resistant weeds in spring wheat, durum wheat and barley. 

Tolpyralate is an HPPD-inhibiting herbicide developed by ISK, which was launched in the market in 2017, with a satisfactory effect of controling various grassy weeds and broad-leaved weeds in corn fields, being safe, efficient, and environment friendly. In 2023, Corteva’s OnDeck™ herbicide (tolpyralate + bromoxynil octanoate) was granted registration in Canada for application to the post-emergence weed control for wheat and barley growing in west Canada’s brownland. 

In the first half of 2023, Corteva announced the launch of three herbicides in the United States, including the herbicides Enversa™ (acetochlor), Tolvera™ herbicide (tolpyralate + bromoxynil) and Kyro™ (acetochlor + topramezone + clopyralid). Among the above, Tolvera™ is an excellent tool for cereal growers to control resistant weeds. Kyro™ is a post-germination corn solution, which is the first premixed product available on the market combining acetochlor, topramezone and clopyralid, is helpful to control glyphosate-resistant and ALS-resistant weeds. 

As weed resistance continues to escalate, prime companies have constantly developed and launched new solutions. In 2023, BASF announced a plan to launch a novel corn herbicide in the United States with solid encapsulation technology, which is the new herbicide Surtain^® (saflufenacil + pyroxasulfone), providing good effect of early control of Debregeasia orientalis and Amaranthus palmeri. In addition, BASF has launched the herbicide Brontirex (trifludimoxazin + saflufenacil) for the Paraguayan market, which is used to control annual ryegrass as well as to inhibit the resistance from grassy weeds in cereal, corn, and soybean crop fields. 

Albaugh launched its premix Caballero™ (clopyralid + flumetsulam) in the United States, for application to herbicide-tolerant field corn and silo corn, including Roundup Ready^® or LibertyLink^®-resistant corn; Nufarm launched the herbicide SureGuard Xtra (flumioxazin + pyroxasulfone) in the United States, which encompassed two modes of action for resistance management; Ourofino Agrociência launched Inédito (glufosinate + (isoxaflutole), which is a high-performance herbicide for control of glyphosate-tolerant worst weed for use in soybean, corn and cotton fields before planting; Nortox launched the 3-in-1 herbicide Arkeiro Nortox WDG (chlorimuron-ethyl + flumioxazin + imazethapyr), which has the features of systemicity, contact toxicity and the function of residual effect, which is also effective in controling glyphosate-resistant weeds. 

This article will be published in AgroPages' upcoming 'Annual Review 2023' magazine.

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