Agrochemical manufacturer Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe, best known for its biorational agricultural products and solutions, aims to strengthen its market presence in both Europe and the UK with a significant pipeline of new products according to Alberto Ancora, General Manager of Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe.

      He says “Beyond our conventional chemical portfolio, we have also made key acquisitions and investments in biorational agriculture over the years, anticipating the current green evolution in European agriculture.  Here we see significant potential in combining conventional chemistry with new biorational strategies as an ideal solution for sustainable farming.

   “Although Sumitomo may be a new name to many UK farmers and agronomists, we have a rich history in agriculture going back 350 years. The company was born out of an idea of converting harmful gases emitted by copper mining into fertilizers, solving an environmental problem and simultaneously providing a solution to farmers. That’s a very forward-looking and concrete example of our approach as a pioneer in sustainable agriculture.

 “Today, when you look at the role of a professional farmer, it remains one of the most fascinating and difficult jobs, requiring numerous skills, as well as passion and entrepreneurship. In order to be resilient and compete successfully in a global market, whilst overcoming unprecedented events such as COVID-19, climate change and the current war in Ukraine, farmers will need to focus on greater sustainability by integrating traditional chemistry with successful biorational solutions. Sumitomo are well positioned to help them make this important transition” confirms Mr Ancora.

   Simon Leak, Business Manager Crop Solutions for Sumitomo Chemical (UK) plc - UK and Ireland, endorses Mr Ancora’s vision for the future and believes that the company has already made successful in-roads into the UK agrochemical market.

     He adds “Sumitomo Chemical already market a number of important products in the UK, including Dipel®, the leading Bacillus thuringiensis - a biorational product with specific activity against lepidoptera, Sven® (Esfenvalerate) a leading pyrethroid and Soleil®, a combination bromuconazole and tebuconazole for rust and fusarium control in wheat.

      In Sumitomo Chemical’s immediate pipeline, we also have a number of new conventional active ingredients currently in the approval system including two exciting new fungicides targeting key diseases such as Septoria, net blotch, ramularia and rusts and we are hopeful of approvals in the near future.  Sumitomo Chemical (UK) are currently working with key organisations such as NIAB and ADAS on trials to further optimise the potential of these products and we hope to present our data on these new actives in the near future” he confirms.