DuPont, AgraQuest sign biopesticide agreement

AgraQuest Inc. and DuPont announced the signing of an agreement for the development and distribution of a new biopesticide DPX RNP31 based on AgraQuest's patented microbial active ingredient, Bacillus pumilus QST 2808.

"DPX RNP31 is an innovative complementary solution for the design of protection programs for oilseed rape," said Jean-Pierre Princen, DuPont's General Manager for France & Benelux. "This agreement reflects DuPont's commitment to superior crop protection to produce better and more."

DPX RNP31, to be developed exclusively by DuPont, controls Sclerotinia and other diseases of oilseed rape. Tested for multiple years in research trials, DPX RNP31 will be commercialized by DuPont as a key component of their range of broad-acre crop fungicides.

"We are delighted to partner with a world leading innovation company like DuPont to bring our solutions to growers of important crops like oilseed rape," said Ashish Malik, Senior VP of Global Marketing at AgraQuest. "In particular DPX RNP31 helps address objectives to reduce the impact of pesticides on the environment as laid out in the EU's Sustainable Use Directive and France's Ecophyto 2018 action plan."

Bacillus pumilus QST 2808 has been submitted by AgraQuest for inclusion in EU's Annex One. Although this is the first European agreement regarding this active ingredient, products based on Bacillus pumilus QST 2808 are already commercially available in key agriculture-producing countries in the Americas, including USA, Mexico and Brazil.