Oxiteno, Ashland announce partnership in agrochemical business

Oxiteno and Ashland, leaders in the specialty chemical segment, announced their entrance into a cooperative relationship involving the companies’ operations in the agrochemicals segment, covering emerging markets in South America and Asia.
 

With complementary portfolios consisting of both specialty surfactants and polymers, Oxiteno and Ashland will provide their clients with an enhanced product offering that will help them face the challenges posed by agribusiness.
 

“Ensuring effective delivery of active ingredients to improve performance in the field is a top priority for the agriculture industry, and we are excited to partner with Oxiteno to offer a unified portfolio of leading polymers and surfactants to help address these challenges,” said James Mish, group vice president, Consumer Specialties, Ashland.
 

In addition to an enhanced portfolio offering, Oxiteno and Ashland have begun the process of sharing of complementary knowledge and expertise, especially in the area of research & development, to allow the companies to accelerate their capacity for innovation even more based on the development of joint projects. This will reinforce activities involving collaboration and co-creation.
 

“Innovation is a critical strategic driver in the agro segment, since the scenario points to major challenges involving the integrated management of crop pests. This is due to climactic conditions and difficulties in handling crops, and will require large producers to offer more versatile portfolios. The relationship with Ashland further reinforces our capacity to develop solutions that ensure greater agricultural productivity and less impact to the environment,” comments Andrea Campos Soares, chief commercial officer, Oxiteno.
 

The synergies go beyond just technical innovation as the selling of the enhanced product portfolio will help each company to strengthen their market intelligence and discover additional ways to aggregate value and differentiation for their clients.
 

“The two companies will also improve the quality of their product delivery service. They will increase their capacity to provide fast and safe delivery, as well as the capability for the distribution of their products in these emerging markets,” comments Alvim Jorge, global business head for the Agro segment, Oxiteno.
 

The enhanced portfolio offering and initial technology discussions are expected to take place in the second quarter of 2016.