From Gaylord to gChem: Exploring the Agricultural Chemical Transformation Behind the Brand Rebranding, Leading the New Era of Agricultural Solvents with Innovation

Editor's Note: In today’s fast - evolving agricultural technology landscape, agricultural solvents are undergoing a profound transformation. This interview features Mick Sadoudi, Director of Business Development for Agriculture, North America at gChem (formerly Gaylord Chemical Company). He offers in - depth insights into various aspects of gChem’s operations, from the strategic thinking behind the company’s rebranding to the unique advantages of its core solvent product line, as well as its manufacturing innovation journey and future - oriented plans in R & D, product development, and market expansion. Through his sharing, we gain a comprehensive understanding of how gChem leverages its rich technical expertise, continuous innovation, and unwavering commitment to sustainability to stand out in the global agricultural solvent market and prepares itself to tackle upcoming agricultural challenges. This interview serves as a valuable industry insight report for those interested in agricultural technology innovation and sustainable development.

Mick Sadoudi

Director of Business Development for Agriculture in North America at gChem

Gaylord Chemical Company recently rebranded as gChem. What strategic considerations were behind it? How does this new brand reflect the company's development direction and core values? Please briefly introduce gChem's development history, global presence, and core competitiveness.

gChem reflects the evolution of our company as we grow to meet the increasingly complex needs of the markets we serve.  Our new identity is a fresh, modern take on a brand with deep roots. The new brand supports our ambition to lead in innovation, attract top-tier talent, and build a future-forward organization that’s agile, focused, and inspired by science. 

For over 60 years, we’ve led in DMS and DMSO chemistry—and this rebrand reflects both our legacy and our future. With safety, sustainability, and performance as our core values, we’re doubling down on scientific innovation and responsible chemistry for agriculture and beyond.

gChem pioneered the commercialization of DMSO in the early 1960s and has since become a global leader in DMS and DMSO chemistry. We operate in over 65 countries, supporting customers directly and through key channel partnerships. 

Please outline gChem's main solvent product series. What unique features do these products have and what their primary application areas? 

AgXalt™ X-100 is the first in a line of safe, sustainable, and high-performance solvents built specifically for agricultural applications. The AgXalt™ platform will continue to expand as we tailor our chemistry to meet the evolving challenges in ag formulation. 

AgXalt™ X-100 offers an exceptional balance of efficacy and safety for people and planet. With an unusually wide solubility envelope and favorable toxicity profile, it enables the formulation of complex agricultural products without compromising worker safety or environmental impact. It’s compatible with a wide range of co-solvents, supports diverse formulation types, and—importantly—is backed by exclusive residue safety data that enables unrestricted pre-harvest use in the U.S. AgXalt™ X-100 is the only DMSO that offers this built-in support which enables a truly global and unrestricted formulation capability.

As a veteran producer in the Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) and Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS), what important innovations and evolutions has your company experienced in the manufacturing processes of these key chemicals since 1962?

Over the past six decades, gChem has continually pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in DMS and DMSO chemistry. From developing proprietary high-purity production methods to launching the world’s first and only on-purpose nitrogen tetroxide facility to complete our DMSO backward integration (2023), the company has built a foundation of manufacturing excellence. gChem’s DMS and DMSO production facility operates under ISO 9001:2015 and our pharmaceutical grade, Procipient® (Dimethyl Sulfoxide USP, PhEur), is manufactured according to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) following ICH Q7 guidelines. Our commitment to ICH Q7-compliant quality systems ensures the highest possible standards are met at our site, and our recent innovations have further solidified our position as the leading, reliable source of DMSO globally.

Could you introduce the product characteristics and development background of AgXalt™ X-100? What specific market needs and challenges does it address?

AgXalt™ X-100 was developed to address a critical and growing challenge in agriculture: the shrinking pool of effective, regulatory compliant solvents. With mounting regulatory pressure, many traditional solvents face restrictions due to toxicity or environmental persistence. AgXalt™ X-100 fills that gap by offering high performance, excellent safety, and unmatched regulatory flexibility—making it a powerful tool for modern ag formulators.

Against the backdrop of increasingly deep sustainable development concepts, how does gChem balance performance, compliance, cost, and environmental protection in solvent design?

Solvent design is a balancing act. Performance, compliance, and sustainability aren’t competing goals—they’re all essential A high-performance, low-cost solvent that is toxic and harmful to the environment is not a viable solution. Similarly, a sustainable but ineffective solvent is equally unhelpful.

At gChem, we’re fortunate to work with DMSO, a molecule with decades of proven safety data and strong environmental credentials. AgXalt™ X-100 builds on that legacy, providing a solution that is effective, affordable, and adheres to global regulatory standards. 

Through what channels does the company gather market feedback and transform it into innovation drivers?

gChem maintains close relationships with formulators, channel partners, and subject matter experts. That direct feedback loop—combined with internal R&D and strategic partnerships—helps us identify pain points early and respond with targeted innovations. Our hyper-focused product equips us with a deep, specialized understanding of how it can be part of the solution. 

Please briefly describe gChem's global R&D and production network layout. What were the biggest technical challenges faced during the development of new solvents? How did your team successfully overcome these difficulties?

gChem’s R&D is tightly integrated with production, allowing rapid iteration and scale-up of new ideas. Our manufacturing facility in the U.S. supports global supply chains, optimized through our network of logistics and channel partners. One of the most significant challenges in developing AgXalt™ X-100 was conducting the EPA-required residue trial to expand DMSO’s approved use in crop protection. This process demanded substantial investment in planning, coordination, and third-party collaboration. We met the challenge by leveraging strong partnerships with our customers and industry experts to deliver what was ultimately a successful field trial and PRIA petition, leading to AgXalt™ X-100.

As digital transformation reshapes the entire agrochemical industry, how does gChem leverage digital technology, big data, and artificial intelligence tools to empower solvent development? Can you share some successful cases and the customer value they created?

We’re actively exploring digital tools that can enhance both our internal R&D workflows and customer-facing capabilities. Whether it’s AI-assisted formulation prediction, real-time supply chain visibility, or smart product lifecycle tools, we see digitalization as a way to move faster, make better decisions, and reduce formulation time-to-market. One area of active exploration is integrating solubility and stability prediction tools directly into our customer support process.

Looking ahead to the next 3-5 years, which agricultural technologies and market trends do you believe will profoundly influence solvent technology development? In the face of these changes, what forward-looking plans does gChem have in terms of R&D, products, and market expansion?

Regulatory pressures will continue to refine the list of acceptable pesticides and inert ingredients globally, guiding formulators towards safer, more sustainable alternatives. At the same time, technologies like drone spraying, See & Spray, and the rise of biologicals will demand new formulation approaches. Solvents will need to support low-volume, high-precision applications while also maintaining compatibility with sensitive organisms and active ingredients.

Long term, gChem has plans to expand the AgXalt™ line with next-generation solvents to offer formulators the tools they need to address the toughest challenges ahead. 

This article will be published in the magazine of 2025 Formulation & Adjuvant Technology. Follow this magazine to read more articles/stories.

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