Arkema to commercialize Paladin soil fumigant

Arkema and United Phosphorus Inc. have agreed that, effective September 1, 2012, Arkema will assume all sales and marketing responsibilities for Paladin soil fumigant for the United States and Mexico.

Arkema, the world's largest producer of thiochemicals (fine chemicals with sulfur), has been granted registration rights by the relevant authorities for Paladin soil fumigant in the U.S. and Israel (2010), Morocco (2011), and Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan (2012). Developed by Arkema's research and development staff, Paladin soil fumigant is an innovative, pre-plant soil fumigant that is very effective against nematodes, parasites, weeds and soil-borne plant pathogens. In the U.S., Paladin soil fumigant is registered for use on tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucurbits, strawberries, blueberries, ornamentals and forestry nursery crops.

Paladin soil fumigant’s active ingredient is dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), a substance derived from sulfur and naturally present in the environment. Paladin soil fumigant has no ozone depletion potential, a low global warming potential (GWP), and is short-lived in the atmosphere.

Since 2004, extensive research studies and more than 250 field trials in 15 counties have been carried out to assess the efficacy of Paladin soil fumigant and its potential impact on the environment and human health, particularly as an alternative to methyl bromide, which has been historically used as a soil fumigant. Paladin soil fumigant can be used in a fumigation program to provide pest control comparable to what growers experienced with methyl bromide.