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October 2016
‘Our crop protection business has been very successful in the
past years and a great contributor to BASF’s earnings,’ said
Dr Harald Schwager, member of the Board of Executive Directors
of BASF SE. The company continuously strives to complement
its traditional crop protection offerings to provide producers with
new technologies.
Developing solutions derived from the combination of chemical
and biological expertise is another important focus of BASF’s
growth strategy. The company is one of the few that can provide,
for example, a seed treatment product with a mixture of both bio-
logical and chemical compounds. The investment in biological
solutions, which consist of naturally occurring organisms or plant
extracts, will yield a number of benefits for producers including
the availability of further modes of action that can lead to improv-
ed resistance management. The recent opening of a new R&D
center for biologicals and seed solutions at the division’s head-
quarters in Limburgerhof will further accelerate the development
of new products in these areas.
For the remainder of 2016, BASF expects the agricultural market
to remain volatile and the business environment to be challenging.
Based on current developments, the financial goal for the Crop
Protection division in 2016 is to strive for the same profitability level
it reached in 2015.
‘Our sales force will be close to our customers. We will intensify
our sales efforts, supported by the launch of new products and
formulations,’ said Schwager. ‘Changes lead to new opportunities
for business growth and differentiation. We can look back with
pride on BASF’s 100-year legacy of accomplishments in bringing
breakthrough solutions for producers to the market. Even more
important is to look forward and to be part of an industry-leading
team that helps shape and improve the future of modern agricul-
ture,’ concluded Schwager.
1: Markus Heldt, president: BASF’s Crop Protection division, during the
press conference.
2: The recent opening of a new R&D center for biologicals and seed
solutions at the division’s headquarters in Limburgerhof will further
accelerate the development of new products in these areas.
3: According to BASF, it is the company’s job to support farming, the
biggest job on earth.
4: Media questions were addressed by the speakers at the conclusion
of the press conference. From left: Vincent Gros (senior vice president:
BASF Crop Protection Europe), Dr Harald Schwager, Lena Adam
(head of Global Sustainability and Product Stewardship: BASF Crop
Protection) and Markus Heldt.
5: The press conference took place at the BASF headquarters in
Ludwigshafen, Germany.
6: Media delegates also had the opportunity to have a site visit to
the new R&D center for biologicals and seed solutions at the Crop
Protection division’s headquarters in Limburgerhof.
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