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FMC Corporation and Bayer Collaborate on Isoflex™ Technology

FMC Corporation, a prominent player in the agricultural sciences sector, has recently forged a significant alliance with Bayer to introduce the Isoflex™ active herbicide technology across European markets. This groundbreaking herbicide is poised to offer a robust solution for farmers combatting resistant grass weeds in cereals and other crops. The collaboration marks an important milestone in addressing the growing challenges within European agriculture, specifically targeting weed resistance that has become a pressing issue for many growers.

Understanding Isoflex™ Active

Isoflex™ active is classified by the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) as a Group 13 herbicide. It has already gained registration in Great Britain as of 2024, with the European Union registration process expected to follow suit in 2025. This innovative formulation provides sustained control over a variety of key grass weeds, particularly those that have developed resistance to conventional herbicides. This capability represents a significant leap forward in effective weed management, which is critical for improving crop yields and ensuring agricultural sustainability.

Ronaldo Pereira, president of FMC, expressed enthusiasm for this partnership, stating, "This agreement will allow FMC to expand market access in the European Union and Great Britain, which has an estimated 30 million planted hectares of winter cereals. We believe that Isoflex™ active will serve as a vital new rotational tool for European growers looking to control resistant weeds, especially grass weeds."

Strategic Market Integration

Under the terms of the partnership, FMC and Bayer will collaborate to bring Isoflex™ active to market within the winter cereals and oilseed rape sectors in Europe. FMC intends to roll out its formulations powered by Isoflex™ active specifically tailored for crops including winter cereals, corn, oilseed rape, and potatoes. Concurrently, Bayer is set to submit applications for product registrations and market formulations that feature Isoflex™ active, specifically for winter cereals, while also promoting a formulation developed by FMC for oilseed rape.

Frank Terhorst, executive vice president of strategy and sustainability at Bayer's Crop Science Division, emphasized the importance of effective herbicides like Isoflex™ active in the light of climate change and pressures on global food systems. He noted that, "Farmers need effective tools to control weeds to contribute to food security. We are happy to make use of synergies with FMC to achieve this goal."

A Global Perspective

The strategic launch of Isoflex™ in Europe is set to build on FMC's successful global deployment of Isoflex™ active, which has already seen registrations and market acceptance in countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Pakistan, Uruguay, and India. Product launches in Great Britain are anticipated before the end of this year, followed by a potential rollout across the EU in 2027, contingent on regulatory approvals.

Importantly, products containing Isoflex™ active have shown effectiveness during pre-plant, pre-emergence, and early post-emergence phases across staple crops like canola, cereals, oilseed rape, and pulses. This versatility further underscores Isoflex™ active's promise as an essential tool for modern agriculture.

For more detailed insights on Isoflex™ active and its applications, interested parties can visit FMC’s dedicated webpage at freshfmc.com/isoflexactive.

Conclusion

The partnership between FMC Corporation and Bayer to bring Isoflex™ technology to European markets heralds a transformative phase in weed management for agricultural stakeholders. With a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, this collaboration not only aims to enhance farmer productivity but also strives to support global food security in increasingly challenging environmental conditions.