Nanopesticide Launched – Yuelian’s 20-year contribution of technology to agricultural innovation

On November 26, 2024, Shanghai Yuelian Biotech Co., Ltd (hereinafter referred to as ″Yuelian″) celebrated the 20th anniversary of the company.

Mr. Lin Qiwen, Board Chairman of Yuelian, gave a review of Yuelian’s development history, saying that ″In the last 20 years, with a steadfast faith and unremitting effort of all staffs of the company, backed up by the trust and support of partners, we could make our way to the success today. Going ahead, Yuelian will carry on its business philosophy of ″practicability and reliability″ to focus on patented and sub-new compounds, in combination with the brand-new nanotechnology; we will bring you brand-new crop protection solutions which are safe and efficient; and we will be working together to move forward for another 20 years.″

Agricultural pesticide development and technological innovation

Wu Xuemin, a professor at China Agricultural University, shared the development of agricultural pesticides at the celebration. He said that efficiency and environment-friendliness have been always the orientation of development of pesticide formulations, whilst nanopesticide is an emerging technology, with significant synergistic mechanism, which reduces particles of azacyclotin from 3 microns to 300 nanometers, having greatly improved the efficacy. This case illustrates the potentials of application of nanotechnology to pesticide formulations. However, the current market is filled with all kinds of nanopesticides which include nano emulsion, nano suspension, nano capsule, nanosphere, nano particle, nano gel and nano microemulsion. For these various nanopesticides, the judgment standard is different. Therefore, user’s correct recognition of ″nanopesticide″ becomes a key issue.

Definition and synergistic mechanism of nanopesticides

Mr. Chen Fuliang, a former researcher at the Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, an expert in research and development of nanopesticides, elaborated on the definition, characteristics and synergistic mechanism of nanopesticides. He pointed out that there is not yet a unified standard governing the particle size of nanopesticides. It is not clear whether the particle sizes of 1-1000nm can be regarded as nanopesticides. However, research reveals that a lot of pesticides would exhibit significant and unique changes in the physical and chemical property when particle size falls below 100 nanometers, finally leading to an increase of efficacy by more than 50% while product performance remaining stable. Mr. Chen emphasized that many nanopesticides are actually not newly-created formulations, but are nanosized based on the existing formulations. 

Furthermore, Mr. Chen spoke about the advantages and innovative features of Yuelian’s nanopesticides. He said that the synergistic mechanism of nanopesticides lies on the increased dispersion and stability, enhanced target absorption and the improved biological activity. Yuelian’s nano-microemulsion products have five major value points: High standard of nanoparticles (below 100 nanometers), high dispersion, advanced R&D, good stability and higher efficacy. Mr.Chen gave a straightforward example – Yuelian’s nano-microemulsion can easily pass through a 100nm filter, which is a rather advanced technology. 

Brand launch and marketing strategy

In today’s complex economic environment, the agricultural market is facing a severe test. The imbalance between supply and demand, along with the low prices of crops, has resulted in the increased fierce competition. To tackle this difficult situation, Wei Dongsheng, Yuelian’s Marketing General Manager, put forward a key question: How to stand out in the market full of stock products?

The answer given by Yuelian is: By implementation of a ″quick, powerful and precise″ strategy.

Quick: To seize opportunity and gather momentum

Wei Dongsheng, Yuelian’s Marketing General Manager, stressed that ″quick″ means that Yuelian is achieving rapid breakthrough, ahead of competitors, via the following approaches: 1) Seize the patented product dividend period 2) In-depth cooperation with internationally renowned enterprises through self-built GLP laboratory; 3) Establishment of the Yuelian Mijia(NM) brand to seize the market opportunity.

In the next 3 years, Yuelian is prepared to release to market a total of 75 new formulation products, which 21 of these new products involving 5 patented compounds and 3 off-patent compounds. This forward-looking product layout provides partners with chances of quick seizure of market.

Powerful: To continue investment to become stronger

″Powerful″ is best reflected in Yuelian’s continued investment in R&D and marketing. The company has established its R&D II Division, aiming at improvement of front-end technical service. In the next three years, an R&D expenditure of over RMB75 million yuan is envisaged. In the meantime, Yuelian will employ larger number of marketing personnel to increase the company’s market coverage in targeted regions. 

So far, Yuelian possesses 180 product registrations, covering most crops and targets of application, which meet the diversified demand from partners. In 2025, 23 product registrations are expected; in 2026-2027, 26 product registrations are expected each year. The expected grant of registrations is a demonstration of the company’s determination and resolution in business development in key fields. 

Precise: Precise positioning and differentiated marketing

In terms of the ″precise″ strategy, Yuelian could identify its unique advantages - Nano microemulsion technology. For example, the company’s nano-microemulsion particle size is controlled within the technical level of 10-100 nanometers.

Lastly, Wei Dongsheng said that Yuelian focuses on differentiated market and seeks a unique race, being committed to becoming a leader in this industry sector. Through precise market positioning, Yuelian is now reshaping the new prospect of agricultural innovation.

Product layout and future development

Zhang Zhenfeng, Chang Tao, Zhu Hongbin and Chen Zuobao respectively gave a presentation to the product layout and future development prospect of Yuelian’s insecticide, fungicide, plant growth regulator and herbicide product lines.

Zhang Zhenfeng talked about Yuelian’s insecticide product layout, saying that insecticides are expected to break through the homogenized market competition. The breakthrough is being achieved via the following four practices: Sufficient registrations, product clusters of key compounds, differentiated formulations based upon improved efficacy and targeted pest solutions.

Chang Tao shared the layout of Yuelian’s fungicide product line, suggesting that Yuelian will focus on three practices: Establishment of differentiated formulations, differentiated sub-new compound-based mixtures and development of proprietary compounds, thus creating a differentiated fungicide produce line; Yuelian will also cooperate with partners in brand development in various ways of promotion.

Zhu Hongbin gave an introduction to the product layout of Yuelian’s plant growth regulators, speaking about Yuelian’s successful launch of a number of high-efficiency plant growth regulators through technological innovation. He shared a specific case study, where Yuelian has successfully launched gibberellin 80% soluble granules via optimization of the formula of gibberellin, which enables significant improvement of efficacy.

Chen Zuobao briefed the product layout of Yuelian’s herbicide product line. In terms of burndown herbicides: On the basis of the high-end lightweight herbicides - Yuelian Meida, in recent years, Yuelian has cooperated with BASF in development of the product Jiejiu - a novel low-temperature burndown herbicide; in terms of selective herbicides: On the basis of the sealant herbicide Yinduyi for use in peanut field, Yuelian has deployed the wheat field-oriented sealant herbicide Maikefeng and the rice field-targeted sealant herbicide Daodefeng. Hand in hand with Yuelian, with these products at hand, customers will be able to break out of the fierce market competition and march forward to a commercial success. 

To sum up, Yuelian is prepared to make its product layout which covers four major product lines – insecticide, fungicide, plant growth regulator and herbicide; Yuelian will focus on launch of mixtures based upon patented compounds, first-time launch of conventional compound-based mixtures and high-efficiency differentiated formulations such as nano microemulsions. Through these practices, Yuelian provides continued support to conventional product users. Yuelian will also strengthen cooperation with its existing multinational companies and seek cooperation with new customers on a win-win basis to jointly serve farmers. Mr. Cao Lizhong, Sales and Technical Director of Yuelian, gave a detailed presentation to the way of implementation of Yuelian’s market strategy.

To support such a systematic and specific strategic planning, Yuelian must have a strong production and supply capacity in place, Mr. Chen Hengjian, General Manager of Yuelian, commented that Yuelian had established two modern pesticide production bases, located respectively in Jinshan and Fengxian of Shanghai, with a total production capacity of 20,000 tons; Yuelian attaches great importance to product quality and safety, being very strict in cross-contamination control; Yuelian conducts annually more than 1,000 times of product switchover-associated water testing, which ensures safe applications of products. In addition, via intelligent, digital and standardized production run, Yuelian has realized the whole course traceability, from production up to distribution and circulation, which ensures the strict control and monitor of product in all steps, from R&D up to marketing.

Growing together with channel partners

Though Yuelian performs very well in respect of product development, registration and market service, it is important to have the full trust and support from upstream and downstream partners of cooperation. In this 20th anniversary celebration, Ms. Lin Yuling, Assistant to Board Chairman of Yuelian, third-party business leader, arranged a special roundtable, where she invited the gracious presence of Ms. Wu Zhaohui (President of FMC China, Business Director of FMC North Asia), Mr. Liu De (Deputy General Manager of Syngenta China Investment and General Manager of Product Line and Marketing Department of Syngenta China Investment), Mr. Shao Jiefeng (Country Sales Director of BASF China Agricultural Solutions), Mr. Cui Yongtao (Deputy General Manager of Tianhe, Director of Pesticide Business Unit). At the roundtable, guests had an in-depth and insightful discussion on ″how to grow together with channel partners in current market environment″ sharing unique views on the coordinated development of the agricultural industry chain from different perspectives.

Channel value: Vitality of ″capillaries″

Firstly, Ms. Wu Zhaohui stressed on the importance of channels. She likened channels to the capillaries of human body, emphasizing that in China’s vast and diverse market, each channel has a meaning. In face of the intensified fierce market competition, Wu Zhaohui believes that provision of good service is a key solution. She revealed that FMC’s invitation of 4,000 retailers to join hands, provision of training platform and joint development is a representation of the channel value.

Cooperation philosophy: Long-term win-win cooperation prevails over interests

Mr. Liu De shared a unique insight into the channel cooperation. He stressed that cooperation should not be a short-term exchange of interests, but a ″long-term″ process. ″Growing together is not only about sharing happiness, but also about getting through hardships together,″ which is the essence of true partnership. Liu De believes that to understand channel and to serve farmers are the basis of corporate development. Only by understanding the needs of hundreds of millions of farmers through channels, can the value of products be truly realized. 

Customer first: Making innovation according to needs

Mr. Shao Jiefeng shared a corporate service philosophy. He quoted BASF’s global slogan - For the Love of Farming, the Biggest Job on Earth, which is an emphasis on enterprises’ high respect for agriculture. Shao Jiefeng stressed that cooperation between manufacturers and dealers must rely on investigations at the frontline, there to listen to the real needs of growers. The simple yet profound saying of ″listening to the needs of local farmers″ is a reflection of the needs of farmers, which is the source of innovation of enterprises.

Channel evolution: From product sale to integrated service

From a broader perspective, Mr. Cui Yongtao analyzed the channel evolution. He pointed out that with the constant industry advancement, channels are shifting from single product sale to a comprehensive service. Distributors should possess three major capabilities: Strong distribution capability, excellent service capability and the product organization capability. It is very necessary that in the context of the socialized agricultural service, channels are gradually changing from product demanding to technical demanding, then switched to the whole farming-oriented planting and harvesting management service.

Shared values: Linking innovation with trust 

During the roundtable discussion, the guests spoke highly of the corporate culture of Yuelian. All guests unanimously regard that Yuelian’s quality-driven, pragmatic and low-profile business mode makes it a distinctive company in the agrochemical industry. Yuelian’s professionalism and innovation ability have been highly recognized by prime companies, whether it being BASF, Syngenta, FMC or Tianhe.

In face of the complex market environment, the common voices of channel partners are: Only by adhering to customer centricity and continuous innovation, with an open and learning attitude, can enterprises survive the fierce market competition. Through the roundtable discussion, Yuelian demonstrated its responsibility for the development of the industry ecosystem. 

While future is already coming, only by working together can enterprises nurture the future of agriculture

The celebration is both a retrospective of the last 20 years and a vision for the future. Driven by technological innovation, rooted deep down in customer needs, Yuelian has demonstrated its ambition to become a century-standing enterprise via green transformation and international market layout.

In his closing speech, Board Chairman Lin Qiwen said, ″The achievement in the last 20 years is a phased achievement, but never an ending. Going head, Yuelian will continue its focused efforts on customer service, technological innovation and green development; and will strive to make new progress, in a low-profile and pragmatic manner.″