Feature of Post-Patent Pesticides: Navigating patent expiration and market transformation - Chlorantraniliprole as a case study in technological advancements by Chinese agrochemical companies

In recent years, China's pesticide industry has made significant progress in the R&D and production of off-patent pesticides, establishing a complete industrial chain and continuously consolidating its advantages. Despite the generally low prices in 2024, the industry still showed resilience, with some products such as chlorothalonil, abamectin, and emamectin benzoate even experiencing price increases and performing well in the market. In some varieties, China's pesticide industry has shifted from being a "follower" to a "leader." For example, with technological and cost advantages, China has brought chlorantraniliprole from the high-priced "pedestal" to the mainstream.

This special report, published in the latest 2025 China Pesticide Industry Watch magazine, selects several off-patent pesticides with industrial and technological advantages for in-depth analysis. It provides global buyers with insights into product trends and development directions in China's pesticide market to assist industry decision-making.

Featured Article to be released in succession:

• Chlorothalonil Price Surge – Global Market Dynamics Amid China’s Capacity Control

• Abamectin and emamectin benzoate demonstrate strong market performance in 2024, fueled by multiple factors for continued growth potential

• Navigating patent expiration and market transformation: Chlorantraniliprole as a case study in technological advancements by Chinese agrochemical companies

Chlorantraniliprole is a revolutionary product in the global insecticide market. Since its introduction in 2008, it has maintained a leading position due to its exceptional systemic properties and broad-spectrum insecticidal effectiveness. 

However, in August 2022, the expiration of its core patent in China caused significant changes in the market. Chinese agrochemical companies, capitalizing on their accumulated technical expertise and industrial chain advantages, swiftly evolved from ″followers″ to ″leaders.″ 

This article explores the trajectory of chlorantraniliprole in the Chinese market, moving from a patent-protected monopoly to market liberation, and examines how Chinese firms addressed technological barriers through independent innovation, ultimately reshaping the global chlorantraniliprole industry ecosystem. Furthermore, it discusses the implications of this case for the advancement of China’s agrochemical industry and provides insights into prospects.

Patent Protection and Market Monopoly Period  

Chlorantraniliprole is a novel anthranilic diamide insecticide discovered by DuPont in 2000. Since its introduction to the market in 2008, it has quickly become a star product due to its high insecticidal effectiveness. Its core technical innovation lies in its distinct chemical structure and mechanism of action, which effectively inhibit insect ryanodine receptors, providing rapid and long-lasting control of lepidopteran pests. This breakthrough fueled its swift ascent in the global pesticide market, especially in the pest management of key crops such as rice, corn, and vegetables.

DuPont increased its market share through strategic partnerships with companies such as Bayer and Syngenta. In 2017, FMC acquired DuPont’s chlorantraniliprole business, along with its associated intellectual property rights. FMC made significant investments in the research, development, and commercialization of the product, launching several brands in addition to Coragen. Public data shows that global sales of chlorantraniliprole rose from $1.402 billion in 2017 to $1.93 billion in 2022, reinforcing its status as the leading insecticide worldwide and highlighting its vital role in the global crop protection market.

Chlorantraniliprole is currently registered in numerous countries, including the U.S., Canada, Brazil, India, China, Türkiye, and Japan. It is mainly used on fruit crops such as grapes, pome fruits, and walnuts; vegetable crops like lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers; and field crops such as cotton, soybeans, and rice. Chlorantraniliprole entered the Chinese market around 2008 and was first registered by FMC in China in 2010. Its exceptional pest control effectiveness quickly made it popular in regions that grow rice, corn, and vegetables. According to third-party data, global sales of chlorantraniliprole in 2023 reached approximately 2,600 tons, with major markets including Brazil (36%), India (20%), the U.S. (12%), China (10%), and Argentina (4.6%).

Before August 13, 2022, chlorantraniliprole was protected by a patent for technical material compounds. During this period, DuPont and FMC held a dominant position in the market due to their patent advantages. For this breakthrough patented technology, FMC has issued several intellectual property statements regarding chlorantraniliprole. It is important to note that the expiration date of August 13, 2022, applied solely to the compound patent for chlorantraniliprole. Other manufacturers are still prohibited from producing chlorantraniliprole technical materials using FMC’s patented intermediates and synthesis processes without authorization, as this would constitute patent infringement. This strategy of comprehensive patent protection is common in the pesticide industry, where comprehensive patent coverage of compounds, intermediates, and processes maximizes market exclusivity.

During the patent protection period, the high price of chlorantraniliprole hindered its widespread adoption in the Chinese market. However, its outstanding pest control effectiveness ensured its strong presence in the high-end market. Due to a technological monopoly and consistent quality, the product was priced at a premium, reaching RMB 3 million per ton when it first entered the Chinese market. During this period, the Chinese chlorantraniliprole market was primarily dominated by a few foreign companies, with limited opportunities for domestic firms to enter, resulting in a relatively stable market structure.

Simultaneously, patent protection spurred domestic companies to boost their R&D investments, setting the stage for future technological breakthroughs and market entry. During the patent protection period, several domestic firms began their preparations by conducting early efficacy trials and establishing supply chains for chlorantraniliprole technical materials and intermediates, thereby positioning themselves for competition in the market after the patent expires.

Market Changes After Patent Expired

On August 13, 2022, the compound patent for chlorantraniliprole in China (CN100391338C) expired, triggering profound changes in the market landscape. Chinese companies rapidly scaled up their production capacity, utilizing years of technological advancements and cost advantages. This sparked a transformation across the entire industrial chain, from the production of technical materials to the sale of end products. Manufacturers of technical materials competed to boost their capacity, while downstream formulation companies eagerly registered new products. End-market sales also adopted differentiated marketing strategies, injecting unprecedented vitality into the industry.

In early October 2022, Youdao Chemical became the first chlorantraniliprole manufacturer in China with complete certificates, fully independent intellectual property rights, and a complete industrial chain, marking a significant milestone in China’s technological independence in this sector. As market demand surged, the number of product registrations in China continued to rise each year, establishing chlorantraniliprole as a key player in crop protection.

According to data from the China Pesticide Information Network, as of February 24, 2025, a total of 510 chlorantraniliprole products have been registered in China. This includes 44 technical materials, 116 single formulations, and 350 combined formulations. The registered formulation types comprise aqueous suspension concentrate (SC), oil dispersion (OD), water-dispersible granule (WG), and aqueous capsule suspension-aqueous suspension concentrate (SC-CS). The growth in technical material registrations has been impressive, with 8 in 2022, 9 in 2023, and 24 in 2024. Key registrants of technical materials include Youdao Chemical, Lier Chemical, Flagchem, Nanjing Red Sun, Synwill Co., Ltd., and other leading agrochemical companies, highlighting the rapid ascent of Chinese companies in this field.

•             Capacity expansion and technological breakthroughs

As of February 2025, based on incomplete data from government environmental assessment websites and company announcements, China’s declared production capacity for chlorantraniliprole technical materials has surpassed 130,000 tons. Major participating companies include Youdao Chemical (11,000 tons/year), Hubei Yilihong Chemical (30,000 tons/year), Zhejiang Zhongshan Chemical (20,000 tons/year), Inner Mongolia Miraculous Crop Science (20,000 tons/year), Anhui Guangxin Agrochemical (7,000 tons/year), FMC (Shanghai) (6,000 tons/year), and Nanjing Red Sun (2,000 tons/year). This indicates the pesticide industry holds a generally optimistic outlook regarding the market potential for chlorantraniliprole.

Table 1: Major Participating Companies and Their Production Capacities

Data source: Public environmental assessment announcements from companies, subject to actual data

Currently, the industrial production of chlorantraniliprole primarily starts with pyrazole acid, which is coupled with an aromatic ring to form benzoxazine, followed by hydrolysis with methylamine. Key intermediates involved in this synthesis process include 2,3-dihydropyridine (2402-77-09), 3-methyl-2-nitrobenzoic acid (5437-38-7), methylamine (74-89-5), and diethyl maleate (141-05-9). A stable supply of these intermediates is essential for lowering production costs and improving market competitiveness.  

Youdao Chemical has become the first Chinese company to possess fully independent intellectual property rights and a complete industrial chain for chlorantraniliprole through technological innovation and capacity expansion. The company implemented a fully continuous flow process and equipment developed independently by Himile Group, which reduced the project construction period from 18 months to just 7 months, significantly enhancing construction efficiency. This fully automated system ensures stable operations, achieving a product active ingredient content of ≥98% with consistent quality. Currently, Youdao Chemical’s production capacity for the chlorantraniliprole technical material has reached 11,000 tons, making it the most significant global producer with the most comprehensive industrial chain. Moreover, its reliable supply of the key intermediate 2-nitro-3-methylbenzoic acid further lowers production costs and boosts the market competitiveness of products. In March 2024, Youdao Chemical’s chlorantraniliprole technical material received registration approvals in Australia and the EU, establishing a solid foundation for its expansion into international markets.

Nanjing Red Sun has successfully established a complete industrial chain for chlorantraniliprole through years of research and development, achieving a significant breakthrough in the production of the key intermediate 2,3-dichloropyridine. This advancement has given Red Sun a unique global competitive advantage. Currently, the company boasts an annual production capacity of 9,000 tons of 2,3-dichloropyridine, with projected revenues exceeding RMB 6.5 billion and profits surpassing RMB 1.5 billion by 2027. After a decade of research, Red Sun’s technical team has developed a fully independent synthesis process that offers several advantages, including a complete industrial chain, cost efficiency, and environmental sustainability. This process not only enhances production efficiency but also allows for the full-cycle recycling of by-products, aligning with sustainable development principles. With its comprehensive industrial chain and technological advantages, Red Sun has secured a strong competitive edge in the chlorantraniliprole market, laying a solid foundation for its long-term global growth.

Zhejiang Zhongshan Chemical began investing in chlorantraniliprole-related projects in 2022 and has since developed a complete network of upstream and downstream industrial resources. Since 2024, the company has introduced a variety of chlorantraniliprole formulation products for different applications, expanding into both domestic and international markets. This comprehensive industrial chain strategy has become increasingly prevalent in the post-patent market competition for chlorantraniliprole, serving as a key method for companies to gain a competitive advantage.

•             Declining prices and intensified market competition

When chlorantraniliprole was first introduced to the Chinese market in 2008, its technical material price reached as high as RMB 3 million per ton. However, following the expiration of the core patent and due to intensified market competition, prices have seen a significant decline. By the end of 2024, the cost of chlorantraniliprole technical material had fallen from RMB 310,000 per ton at the beginning of the year to RMB 200,000 per ton, a decrease of RMB 110,000 per ton, or a cumulative annual decline of 35.48%. This sharp drop in price was primarily driven by the patent expired, the influx of new companies into the market, rapid capacity expansion, and a surge in product registrations, all of which contributed to intensified competition.

As of late February 2025, the price of chlorantraniliprole technical material rose to RMB 210,000 per ton due to a tight supply resulting from shortages of intermediates and low operating rates. Meanwhile, competition in the formulation market continues to be intense.

Figure 1. Chlorantraniliprole Price Trends (Data source: Sino-Agri Leading)

Global Supply Landscape

China has emerged as a leading exporter of chlorantraniliprole technical on the global stage. As shown in Figure 2, from 2021 to 2024, China’s exports of technical materials consistently made up a substantial share of global exports, with a notable increase following 2022. By 2024, China accounted for 58% of global technical material exports. The U.S. also plays a key role in the technical material export market, with major international companies such as FMC and Albaugh developing the product domestically.

Figure 2. Global Chlorantraniliprole Technical Exports from 2021 to 2024

In India, the import volume of chlorantraniliprole technical materials has been declining year by year since it exceeded 1,100 tons in 2021 (as shown in Figure 3). Following the expiration of the patent in 2022, Indian companies began launching locally produced generic chlorantraniliprole, which has facilitated import substitution. By 2023, India had virtually halted its imports of technical materials, indicating the establishment of local production capabilities. Currently, in addition to FMC, several companies such as Syngenta, Corteva, Adama, NATCO, BAL, Dharmaj Crop Guard, and GSP Crop Science are actively developing the Indian market for chlorantraniliprole. However, India continues to import intermediates like K acid (3-bromo-1-(3-chloro-2-pyridyl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylic acid), with major importers including GSP Crop Science Private Limited, Best Crop Science Private Limited, and Willowood Industries Private Limited.

Figure 3: Exports of Chlorantraniliprole Technical Materials from India from 2021 to 2024

Resistance Issues and Technological Innovation

As chlorantraniliprole is used globally, the issue of pest resistance has become more pronounced. This challenge has prompted the industry to seek innovative solutions, such as new formulation types, the creation of combination products, and the exploration of new crop applications.

To tackle resistance challenges, the industry began exploring new formulation types, such as nano-formulations and granules. Nano-formulations can enhance the absorption efficiency and effectiveness of pesticides, while granules hold significant promise for underground pest management and drone applications. These innovations not only boost product efficacy but also help delay the development of resistance and extend the lifecycle of products. Currently, the registered formulation types of chlorantraniliprole have expanded beyond aqueous suspension concentrate (SC), granule (GR), water dispersible granule (WG), oil dispersion (OD), and flowable concentrate for seed treatment (FS) to include ultra-low volume concentrate (UL), micro-emulsion (ME), and aqueous capsule suspension-aqueous suspension concentrate (SC-CS).

As a low-toxicity, high-efficacy insecticide, chlorantraniliprole combination products have become a mainstream choice for registration in the market. Chlorantraniliprole can be combined with various classes of insecticides, including organophosphates, carbamates, and insect growth regulators. Common combination partners include lambda-cyhalothrin, chlorfenapyr, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, pymetrozine, indoxacarb, monosultap, lufenuron, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, methoxyfenozide, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, triflumezopyrim, spinosad, and diflubenzuron.

In terms of agricultural applications, chlorantraniliprole has made significant strides over the past two years. In December 2022, it was registered for the first time for use on spinach. In May 2023, it received its initial registration for use on pitaya, flowering Chinese cabbage, and sorghum. In July 2023, it was approved for the first time to combat fall webworms. August 2023 saw its first registration for carrots to control cutworms. Moving into March 2024, it was registered for the first time on zucchini to manage Diaphania indica, and in the same month, it also received its first approval for tea plants to address Ectropis obliqua. Most recently, in January 2025, it was authorized for the first time to control grassland grasshoppers. These ″first-time″ registrations primarily pertain to economically significant fruit and vegetable crops, suggesting that the next growth phase for chlorantraniliprole may concentrate on the economic crop market.

Prospects and Industry Insights

The development trajectory of chlorantraniliprole exemplifies the typical progression of a blockbuster insecticide as it transitions from patent-protected monopoly to market liberalization. This case demonstrates how originator companies established market barriers through robust patent strategies. Chinese companies rapidly captured market share by leveraging technological innovation and cost advantages following patent expiration.

The transition from patent protection to market liberalization has brought about significant changes within the industry:

•             Patent-protected monopoly period: The originator company FMC (formerly DuPont) established comprehensive protections through the core compound patent and auxiliary process patents, with technical material prices as high as RMB 3 million per ton and the market dominated by a few foreign companies.  

  
  

•             Technological preparation period: Domestic companies proactively positioned themselves ahead of patent expirations, with companies like Youdao Chemical and Red Sun making early technological breakthroughs and establishing complete industrial chains to prepare for competition once the patent expired.

  
  

•             Market liberalization period: After the core patent expired on August 13, 2022, Chinese companies quickly achieved technical material registrations and expanded their production capacities. This resulted in a dramatic price drop to RMB 200,000 per ton, with domestic technical materials capturing over half of the global market share.  

This transformation offers several insights: Technological innovation is the core of long-term competitiveness; market opportunities derived from patent expiration require early preparation; industrial chain integration is a key competitive strategy in the post-patent era; and formulation innovation and differentiated marketing are effective ways to address homogeneous competition.  

Despite ongoing challenges such as overcapacity, declining prices, and regulatory risks, the chlorantraniliprole industry continues to offer substantial potential. Innovative formulation technologies, a broader array of crop registrations, and the emergence of domestic companies in international markets are paving new pathways for this blockbuster insecticide. This trajectory from patent-protected monopoly to market liberalization not only reshapes China’s competitive position in the global agrochemical sector but also provides valuable experience for other pesticide varieties approaching patent expiration.  

The chlorantraniliprole case clearly delineates the market lifecycle of a blockbuster insecticide product and illustrates how Chinese agrochemical companies shift from a follower role to a leadership position in the post-patent era. It offers important references for innovative development within the agricultural chemical industry.

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