Nufarm Americas, Inc. announces that it has been granted federal EPA registration for its own unique source of imidacloprid technical material. End-use formulations are not yet approved, but the company expects federal registrations for end-use products will be granted within a few months. At that time, Nufarm will launch its own branded product to the agricultural and turf and ornamental markets via traditional distribution partners.
“Imidacloprid represents a very significant opportunity here in the States,” says Greg Crawford, president of the company’s Americas Group. “We fully expect to be regarded as an important player in the market and this product is a high priority within our global portfolio. The U.S. market is of particular strategic importance as it represents nearly one quarter of the global market for this active ingredient.”
This popular broad-spectrum insecticide is used in a large number of crops with non-crop uses in turf and ornamentals, seed treatment, pest control and animal health. Imidacloprid is sold in more than 100 countries around the world and has been a major insecticide solution in the U.S. markets since the early 1990s. The relevant U.S. patent expired in January of this year and Nufarm’s commitment to imidacloprid reflects the company’s objective to further diversify its product portfolio from a traditionally strong herbicide base.
“We have taken a unique approach among recent entrants by investing in our own manufacturing facility and by applying for our own stand-alone registrations so that Nufarm can maximize its ability to formulate products and react to anticipated changes in the market,” Crawford adds. “Approval of the technical source by the EPA is a very welcome and positive development. This confirms our hope that we will be able to bring some high quality and value-based finished products to the market before the end of this year.
“We will initially focus on launching Nufarm imidacloprid products in core markets where we already have an established presence once end-use product labels are federally approved," he says. "Although these initial launches will be well-known formulations and manufacturing concentrates, we are developing novel and innovative formulations and pre-mixes that will build a global, foundational position around this insecticide.”
Nufarm will market its imidacloprid products in the agricultural industry under the brand name, Nuprid, after obtaining EPA approval. Products in the turf and ornamental industry will be marketed under the brand name, Mallet.