3rd Beyond-Agriculture Seminar continues to build knowledge and awareness

With two successful Beyond-Agriculture Seminars behind them, the co-organizers; CCPIT CHEM and Xenex Associates had no doubt about the expected success of the third event. In previous years the seminars had focused on valuing and understanding the market dynamic of these interesting incremental markets for agrochemicals that include: pest management, mosquito abatement, turf, ornamentals and consumer use. With the majority of chemicals used in consumer and pest management markets being insecticides, this year the focus demonstrated the broader opportunities across herbicides and fungicides as well.

Rod Parker made the opening presentation to address this. Rod outlined both the Top10 chemicals in each category but also the major weed complexes and pests. Of the 180 identified herbicides used in Beyond-Agriculture markets, the top 10 account for over 70% with Glyphosate the clear #1. For fungicides the pattern was very different with the top 10 only accounting for 50% of the chemicals used with strobilurin fungicide Azoxystrobin the most used. Finally Rod highlighted that out of the 330 identified insecticides permethrin was the most used with a number of the specialist insect “knock-down” molecules used in aerosol application featuring high in the top 10.

With this clear understanding the seminar then reviewed some of the specialist opportunities for these chemicals. Mr. Shen Guohui of the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Mr. Peter May of Xavca Pty in Australia reviewed markets for turf. Mr Guohui highlighting that weed control in turf grass was still an emerging science in China, by contrast Peter outlined how the developed nature of the Australian Turf market. Peter highlighted the increasing number of Chinese visitors playing their resort golf in Australia.

Mr. Wu Zhenyi, Secretary General of the Biocide Alliance reviewed some of the fungicide and bacteriacide uses in China, highlighting how important it was for those focusing on markets Beyond-Agriculture to understand the importance they play in supporting the health of the nation.  The morning session was closed by Ms. Meng Fengxia from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control who also focused on the importance of controlling insects in the quest to improve health. In addition, she highlighted the increasing segmentation in the public health market between the role of the state in controlling vectored diseases and the emerging and increasing role of the private company in the provision of pest management services. A trend expected to continue but with increasing speed.

The afternoon took Termite control as its lead theme, with Mr. Steve Broadbent, world renown and experienced termite expert from Ensystex Australia giving the stand out presentation of the day on the development of the global termite control market. Steve highlighted how man has transferred the different species around the globe and the continuing trend of termite markets away from the tropics into new territories such as Europe, Chile, South Africa and the Southern states of his native Australia. Professor Mo. Jianchu from the Zhejiang University Urban Entomology Research Centre followed outlining the current status and the many challenges facing the Chinese termite control market.        
 
The final presentations of the seminar featured Ms. Wang Yiyan, formerly of ICAMA and now an independent regulatory expert who reviewed the current regulatory status and approach, followed by Dr. Lorenzo Minetti from Asian company Fair Chem Industries who shared a practical example of a company identifying and developing new markets in Beyond-Agriculture.

Rob Fryatt of Xenex Associates, chair of the seminar in his summing up, highlighted the important place that China holds in Beyond-Agriculture markets worldwide and the value of exchanging information and knowledge to build a strong business in these markets. There are few international experts in these markets and he reminded the delegates how fortunate they were to listen to so many of these in just one day.