From imidacloprid to sulfoxaflor, the global market prospects of neonicotinoid pesticides

Date:06-13-2024

As highly toxic pesticides are gradually phased out, neonicotinoid insecticides have become a crucial tool for controlling piercing-sucking pests and small lepidopteran and coleopteran pests due to their outstanding efficacy. Despite facing challenges of potential toxicity to non-target organisms and resistance issues, neonicotinoid insecticides play an indispensable role in global agriculture.

As the fourth generation of insecticides in the pesticide industry, neonicotinoids are further classified into five-membered rings, six-membered rings, and fourth-generation products such as chlorinated, thiolated, and furanyl derivatives based on their cyclic structures and substituents. This classification not only reflects the developmental progress of neonicotinoid pesticides but also demonstrates the innovation capability of the pesticide industry.

Generation	Product	CAS	Develop Year	Developing Company
First Generation	Acetamiprid	135410-20-7	1996	NISSO
	Flupyradifurone	951659-40-8	2015	Bayer
	Cycloxaprid	1203791-41-6	2018	Shanghai Shengnong/ ECUST(China)
	Flupyrimin	1689566-03-7	2013	Meiji Seika
	Imidacloprid	138261-41-3	1991	Bayer
	Nitenpyram	150824-47-8	1995	Takeda(Now SUMITOMO)
	Paichongding	948994-16-9	2004	Jiangsu Kesheng Group/ ECUST(China)
	Thiacloprid	111988-49-9	2000	Bayer
	Guadipyr	1227849-60-6	2017	CAU(China)
Second Generation	Clothianidin	210880-92-5	2002	Bayer/   Takeda
	Imidaclothiz	105843-36-5	1997	Jiangshan
	Thiamethoxam	153719-23-4	1998	Novartis (Now   Syngenta)
Third Generation	Dinotefuran	165252-70-0	2002	Mitsui Chemicals Agro
Fourth Generation	Sulfoxaflor	946578-00-3	2015	Corteva

Since the 1990s, neonicotinoid insecticides have rapidly captured over 25% of the global insecticide market share and have been applied in the production of more than 140 crops in 120 countries, with outstanding performance in Asian, American, and European markets. In 2019, China's exports of imidacloprid and acetamiprid reached approximately 31,000 tons and 11,000 tons respectively, becoming billion-dollar technical grade active ingredients and showcasing the significant position of Chinese neonicotinoid pesticides in the global market.

Chinese companies such as Shandong Sino-Agri United Biotechnology, Hailir Pesticides and Chemicals Group, Sichuan Huihe, and Yongnong Biosciences have become major producers of neonicotinoid insecticides, offering products including thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, dinotefuran, and nitenpyram.

Sankey Diagram of Chinese Neonicotinoid Pesticide Products and Company Distribution (Click to enlarge)

Note: The data only shows the applied projects disclosed by the government

As a leading global producer of neonicotinoid insecticides products, Shandong Sino-Agri United Biotechnology has successfully resolved multiple key technical challenges through technological innovation, achieving full industry chain coverage from active ingredient production to intermediate synthesis and formulation processing. The company's neonicotinoid product line includes several active ingredients such as imidacloprid, acetamiprid, nitenpyram, and thiacloprid, as well as various formulation types like WG, SL, FS, WP, SP, and EC, comprehensively meeting the diversified market demands.

Shandong Sino-Agri United Biotechnology has also made significant achievements in intermediate production, with an annual output of 10,000 tons of CCMP, as well as the synthesis of key intermediates such as imidazolidin and ethyl N-cyanoethanimidate. Not only does this provide a solid foundation for active ingredient production, but by extending the product production chain, it further enhances the core competitiveness of the products.

On July 18-19, 2024, Mr. Xu Hui, President of Shandong United Pesticide Industry, will attend the 2024 China Pesticide Exporting Workshop (CPEW) organized by AgroPages in Hangzhou, China, sharing insights on the global market development and future potential of neonicotinoid pesticides. 

Theme of presentation:

From Imidacloprid to Sulfoxaflor: Global Market Development and Future Potential of the Fourth Generation of Neonicotinoid Pesticides

Speaker: 

Xu Hui, President, Shandong Sino-Agri United Biotechnology 

July, 18th-19th      Hangzhou, China

Seizing Opportunities in China's Agrochemical Industry Ascent and Agriculture Solution Upgrades for Collaborative Growth

See Agenda