7 new active ingredients to be launched in Japan over the next five years

Against the background of strong global demand for its newly launched active ingredients, Bayer CropScience has recently raised its sales forecast for products based on new molecules launched since the year 2000. With 26 new active ingredients scheduled for launch between 2000 and 2011, Bayer CropScience aims at realizing a global peak sales potential of € 2 billion with these compounds.

Portfolio rejuvenation to secure innovation leadership position

In Japan, the company plans to launch seven new active ingredients over the coming five years. The planned introductions include the new insecticidal compound spiromesifen for the control of whiteflies and spider mites, which is planned to be launched in Japan under the trade name of Danigetter in 2006 / 2007 and the new fungicide fluopicolide, scheduled for launch in 2007.

“Over the next years, we plan to significantly rejuvenate our crop protection portfolio through the accelerated launch of new molecules and new formulations tailor-made for the Japanese market”, says John Gray, newly appointed President of Bayer CropScience K.K., the company’s Japanese subsidiary.

Gray, a native New Zealander who took over at the helm of Bayer CropScience K.K. on October 1, 2005 after having served as Head of Marketing and Portfolio Management for Bayer CropScience in the US, looks ahead with confidence: While he expects the overall Japanese crop protection market to continue to decline over the next few years as a result of a decrease in planted acreage and rising imports of commodities, Gray believes that Bayer CropScience will be growing its business. In particular, he sees good prospects to increase market share in the two largest market segments, rice and vegetables, as well as in fruits and upland crops. As the market leader in the Environmental Science market in Japan, Bayer CropScience plans to increase its market share in this segment too, based on the launch of new innovative products on the coming years.

“Innovation to bring added-value to customers and consumers is key to success in competitive business environments. Our experienced and highly qualified people and strong relationships with business partners are indispensable assets for us”, outlines John Gray his approach to further developing Bayer CropScience in Japan. Bayer CropScience K.K. will maintain a well-balanced approach to the market to maximize the market adaptation and return on our existing portfolio and R&D investments. Says Gray: “We will increase professional efforts to make our products the preferred choice in the market and retain our leadership position as a value added supplier to Japanese agriculture.”

Investment in Hofu production plant

To further broaden its production base in Japan, Bayer CropScience is investing some EUR 2 million in a formulation facility in its Hofu plant in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The new facility is planned to go on stream at the end of October. The unit will formulate insecticides and fungicides, among them Flint, a strobilurin-based fungicide and Kirappu, a new insecticide launched in Japan earlier this year, which is based on Ethiprole.

Bayer CropScience, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of about EUR 6 billion, is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and plant biotechnology. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of about 19,000 and is represented in more than 120 countries.