BASF invests more than €50 million to expand its crop protection production capacity in South America

BASF today announced more than €50 million in investments to expand its crop protection production capacities in the Guaratinguetá chemical complex, about 170 kilometers from São Paulo, Brazil. As result, the company will increase local production and formulation capacities of its latest blockbuster products. Another positive consequence of the investments is the creation of 70 new jobs. Furthermore, a new plant for biological products is scheduled to be opened by August this year in Chile. These products will add further value to the portfolio of the company’s recently established business unit Functional Crop Care.

“This initiative will considerably enhance local production and build on the investments BASF has made in South America in recent years. It also reinforces our commitment to accelerate business growth in the region through innovation and new technologies,” stated Markus Heldt, President, BASF’s Crop Protection division, on a recent visit to Brazil. Heldt also stressed that after the investment is completed, the company will increase exports of products from Brazil to other BASF units globally. This expansion demonstrates the company’s strategic commitment to strengthening its agricultural solutions segment. “With these investments, we will further balance the production capacity of BASF across the world,” said Heldt.

Part of the investment is allocated to the expansion of the manufacturing plant for the fungicide Boscalid. Boscalid is an extremely important active ingredient used to fight diseases in crops such as canola, cereals, coffee, fruits and vegetables. The expansion is planned to be completed by the end of June 2013.

Additionally, the company will invest in a formulation plant for its latest fungicide innovation, Xemium®. Xemium is BASF’s next generation carboxamide, poised to further strengthen the company’s leading position in the fungicide market. The innovative product, which is in its final phase of registration in Brazil, will help growers to control soybean rust and diseases affecting more than 20 crops. The plant is expected to be ready by mid-2014.

The Guaratinguetá complex will also receive a new plant investment to formulate Heat®, BASF’s latest blockbuster herbicide which recently received registration in Brazil. The product is part of the Kixor® family of herbicides and highly effective against difficult to control broadleaf weeds, including those that have become resistant to other herbicides. The plant is expected to be ready in the second half of 2014.

With these latest investments, the BASF Crop Protection Unit reinforces its strong commitment to deliver innovation and strengthen its position in continuously growing agricultural markets as Latin America.