From imidacloprid to sulfoxaflor, the global market prospects of neonicotinoid pesticides

As highly toxic pesticides are gradually phased out, neonicotinoid insecticides have become a crucial tool for controlling piercing-sucking pests and small lepidopteran and coleopteran pests due to their outstanding efficacy. Despite facing challenges of potential toxicity to non-target organisms and resistance issues, neonicotinoid insecticides play an indispensable role in global agriculture.

As the fourth generation of insecticides in the pesticide industry, neonicotinoids are further classified into five-membered rings, six-membered rings, and fourth-generation products such as chlorinated, thiolated, and furanyl derivatives based on their cyclic structures and substituents. This classification not only reflects the developmental progress of neonicotinoid pesticides but also demonstrates the innovation capability of the pesticide industry.

Since the 1990s, neonicotinoid insecticides have rapidly captured over 25% of the global insecticide market share and have been applied in the production of more than 140 crops in 120 countries, with outstanding performance in Asian, American, and European markets. In 2019, China's exports of imidacloprid and acetamiprid reached approximately 31,000 tons and 11,000 tons respectively, becoming billion-dollar technical grade active ingredients and showcasing the significant position of Chinese neonicotinoid pesticides in the global market.

Chinese companies such as Shandong Sino-Agri United Biotechnology, Hailir Pesticides and Chemicals Group, Sichuan Huihe, and Yongnong Biosciences have become major producers of neonicotinoid insecticides, offering products including thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, dinotefuran, and nitenpyram.

Sankey Diagram of Chinese Neonicotinoid Pesticide Products and Company Distribution (Click to enlarge)

Note: The data only shows the applied projects disclosed by the government

As a leading global producer of neonicotinoid insecticides products, Shandong Sino-Agri United Biotechnology has successfully resolved multiple key technical challenges through technological innovation, achieving full industry chain coverage from active ingredient production to intermediate synthesis and formulation processing. The company's neonicotinoid product line includes several active ingredients such as imidacloprid, acetamiprid, nitenpyram, and thiacloprid, as well as various formulation types like WG, SL, FS, WP, SP, and EC, comprehensively meeting the diversified market demands.

Shandong Sino-Agri United Biotechnology has also made significant achievements in intermediate production, with an annual output of 10,000 tons of CCMP, as well as the synthesis of key intermediates such as imidazolidin and ethyl N-cyanoethanimidate. Not only does this provide a solid foundation for active ingredient production, but by extending the product production chain, it further enhances the core competitiveness of the products.

On July 18-19, 2024, Mr. Xu Hui, President of Shandong United Pesticide Industry, will attend the 2024 China Pesticide Exporting Workshop (CPEW) organized by AgroPages in Hangzhou, China, sharing insights on the global market development and future potential of neonicotinoid pesticides. 

Theme of presentation:

From Imidacloprid to Sulfoxaflor: Global Market Development and Future Potential of the Fourth Generation of Neonicotinoid Pesticides

Speaker: 

Xu Hui, President, Shandong Sino-Agri United Biotechnology 

See Agenda