Nufarm Americas and BASF Sign Agreement for Imazapyr

BASF and Nufarm Americas announced today that they have entered into a multi-year supply agreement for the herbicide Imazapyr for use in non-crop markets. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Under the agreement, BASF will expand the market availability for Imazapyr-based products, used for professional vegetation management, by drawing on the strength of the combined distribution channels of BASF and Nufarm Americas. Nufarm Americas will use the access to Imazapyr (imidazolinone), a new molecule for its portfolio, to grow its non-crop business.

“The supply agreement reached with BASF is an important step in the strategy of Nufarm, aimed at expediting the growth of our non-crop business,” said Greg Crawford, president of Nufarm Americas. “We believe Imazapyr will play an important role in our portfolio in the future. We are confident this molecule will help us reinforce both our product mix and position as a leading supplier of alternate brand products.”

Tim Stoehr, U.S. director of marketing and business development for Nufarm Americas tells Lawn & Landscape that the lengthy research-and-development process will likely keep Nufarm from brining any new Imazapyr-based products to market during 2006. New products will probably become available and be marketed in 2007 and beyond, he says.

“We are pleased to have concluded this supply agreement with Nufarm as part of our lifecycle management strategy for Imazapyr,” says Stephen Briggs, director of BASF Specialty Products Department. “BASF is the only company able to draw on three imidazolinone compounds in its portfolio, and we plan to continue to grow our business in this category.”

BASF says it will continue to actively market its Imazapyr-based product line, which includes Arsenal, Habitat, Sahara and Stalker herbicides. Phone calls to BASF for more information made just before the holidays were not immediately returned.