FMC acquires two fungicides from Bayer CropScience

FMC announced that it has acquired Rovral® iprodione and Sportak® prochloraz fungicides from Bayer CropScience. The transaction includes the use of these two fungicide families and their product trademarks for agricultural use outside of Europe.

"We are pleased to add these established fungicides to FMC's broad portfolio of herbicides and insecticides," said Milton Steele, president, FMC Agricultural Products Group.  "These are highly effective, resistance management technologies that are used worldwide, primarily in the tree, fruit and vegetable markets, as well as in a wide range of crops, including cereals, canola, and soybeans.  They are brands well recognized by leading agricultural customers around the world.  FMC will continue to develop and extend these great additions to our product portfolio."

Bayer CropScience is currently restructuring its Crop Protection business -- by rejuvenating its portfolio and increasing its focus on key brand families. "This divestment is in line with our global strategy to optimize our portfolio and to build a solid foundation for profitable growth," explained Sandra Peterson, Chief Executive Officer of Bayer CropScience. "And it is an excellent opportunity for us to extend our relationship with FMC, an important player in the agricultural industry."

According to Pierre Brondeau, FMC president, chief executive officer, and chairman, "This transaction is another major step in FMC's Vision 2015 growth strategy. We continue to execute our long-term plan to grow FMC organically and through targeted acquisitions that supplement our technology portfolio and strengthen our positions in critical businesses, markets and regions."  Brondeau added, "This is an exciting acquisition for FMC, and we've been pleased to work with a well respected leader in this field, Bayer CropScience."

Rovral® and Sportak® are registered in more than 50 countries, and are used in a wide range of crops, including cereals, canola, soybean, rice, potatoes, fruits and vegetables. They offer excellent fungicidal performance in terms of disease control, are well suited to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, and are useful tools in anti-resistance programs.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.