BASF AG Innovation Pipeline and Digital Transformation

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A black and white photo of a vintage BASF reel-to-reel tape with Led Zeppelin tracklist.
Credit: pexels.com, A black and white photo of a vintage BASF reel-to-reel tape with Led Zeppelin tracklist.

BASF AG is a leader in innovation, with a robust pipeline of new products and technologies that are transforming industries worldwide. Their commitment to R&D is evident in their significant investments in research and development, which have led to breakthroughs in areas like crop protection and pharmaceuticals.

The company's focus on sustainability is also noteworthy, with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. BASF AG is working towards a more circular economy through the development of new materials and processes.

Their digital transformation efforts are also impressive, with a focus on using data and analytics to drive business decisions. This includes the use of digital twins to simulate and optimize production processes.

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Pipeline of Global Innovations

BASF Agricultural Solutions has a pipeline of innovations that supports major crops worldwide, focusing on improving outcomes in crops like wheat, canola, soybean, corn, cotton, rice, and fruits and vegetables, which account for more than 50% of the world's farmland.

Credit: youtube.com, Innovation Pipeline 2021 – Peter Eckes

We're talking about a massive scope here, with BASF innovating across seeds and traits, seed treatment, biological and chemical crop protection, as well as digital farming solutions.

BASF is bringing a much-needed solution for over-the-top control of weeds in soybean with an additional PPO herbicide and a corresponding herbicide tolerance gene.

This innovation will be available in seed varieties in the early 2030s, giving farmers more flexibility to use PPO herbicides beyond pre-emergence to control weeds.

An entirely new herbicide mode of action is currently in the late research phase at BASF, with the corresponding herbicide tolerance trait for soybean being developed by BASF and Corteva.

Farmers will have the option to access this innovative trait technology through leading soybean seeds from BASF and Corteva.

By 2050, farmers will have to feed an estimated 9.7 billion people, increasing productivity by 50% to meet this demand.

BASF is committed to innovations that strike the right balance between productivity and sustainability in agriculture, helping farmers to produce not only more, but better yield.

BASF is advancing several weed management solutions, matching new herbicide modes of action active ingredients with innovative traits and precision farming technologies in major crops such as soybean.

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Credit: youtube.com, Innovation Pipeline 2021 – Jürgen Huff

These solutions facilitate climate-smart and environmentally responsible farming practices, such as minimum tillage and efficient use of crop protection chemistries.

BASF is planning the introduction of new vegetable seed varieties and innovations to address the needs of partners along the food value chain, from growers through consumers around the world.

Herbicides

BASF is expanding its herbicide portfolio with new and innovative products to help growers manage weeds and protect their crops.

The company's new Luximo Active Herbicide is a game-changer for rice farmers, controlling a broad range of problematic weeds that have developed resistance to other modes of action.

This herbicide will be launched in Indonesia in 2024, with other countries in the Asian market following by mid-decade.

Kixor CS is another exciting development, offering farmers in Asia Pacific the flexibility to apply the herbicide beyond pre-emergence to early-post, providing long-lasting residual control of broadleaf weeds.

The innovative encapsulation of the herbicide increases crop safety while enabling this control, making it a valuable tool for growers.

Credit: youtube.com, BASF introduces Surtain Corn Herbicide

BASF is committed to providing growers with innovative weed control solutions to help with yields and quality, as well as resistance management.

The company has received regulatory approvals for several new herbicide active ingredients, including Luximo and Tirexor, which are specifically designed to control resistant weeds.

Luximo is primarily for grass weeds, while Tirexor controls key grass and broadleaf weeds.

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Fungicides

BASF's fungicide portfolio is a game-changer for farmers worldwide. BASF is pioneering the search for new active ingredients in the fight against fungal diseases.

Revysol, a novel fungicide, is at the forefront of this effort. With Revysol-based products, farmers can control major diseases in rice, such as sheath blight and dirty panicles.

Revysol-based products will be launched in the next two years under the product names Cevya, Mibelya, and Revyrize. These new formulations will be available to rice farmers in the region.

BASF also expects to launch Revysol Active in fruits and vegetables as well as rice starting in 2023. This will provide a high level of control of powdery mildew, scab, and many other diseases in tree fruits, grapes, and potatoes.

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Credit: youtube.com, BASF introduces Priaxor fungicide

Revysol-based products have been introduced globally in all major crops. Excellent products like Veltyma for corn and Revytek in soybean in the US and cereal products like Revystar and Revycare in Europe will be key for BASF’s new product portfolio in these crops.

BASF has also introduced a new technology in seed treatment based on Revysol and marketed under Relenya brand. This product will protect the seed and root zone of cereal crops from pathogenic fungi during the early development of the plant.

Pavecto, a novel fungicide co-developed with Sumitomo Chemical, will offer an effective solution to control major diseases, including Septoria leaf blotch in wheat.

Insecticides

BASF is dedicated to developing innovative insecticides that simplify farmers' operations and address the toughest pest threats and production needs.

The company has accelerated the development of a new insecticide for rice hopper control, which is expected to be available to farmers in Asia Pacific by mid-decade. This insecticide offers long residual control and a favorable regulatory profile.

Credit: youtube.com, BASF Launch 3 New Products l Mibelya Fungicide l Valexio Insecticide l Meritor Biostimulant

BASF is also set to launch its latest insecticide active ingredient Axalion Active, a new class of chemistry with a new mode of action, designed to safeguard harvest from a broad spectrum of damaging piercing and sucking pests.

Axalion controls pests that have developed resistance to existing chemistries and works harmoniously with beneficials and pollinators. Launches will start in 2023 in Asia Pacific, with additional registrations following in Europe and Latin America.

The company has started the global registration initiative for Axalion, a new active ingredient with a novel mode of action, in 2020. With its unique mode of action, Axalion will help farmers safeguard their yield without negatively impacting soil and water organisms or birds.

BASF has received the first registrations for the new active ingredient Inscalis in various countries, including Australia, Canada, China, and the United States. Inscalis offers farmers an essential tool to protect a wide range of crops from critical piercing and sucking insect pests.

The company anticipates further registrations in South and Latin America for Inscalis. BASF continues to work closely with growers using these insecticide products to prevent aggressive piercing-sucking pests from damaging yields and transmitting viruses.

BASF has also received regulatory approvals for Broflanilide in several countries, including Australia, Canada, China, and the U.S. Broflanilide is a powerful and versatile insecticide to control chewing pests.

Seed Solutions

Credit: youtube.com, Seeds & Traits by BASF is Built on Big Steps Forward

BASF is introducing innovative seed solutions to help farmers make the most of limited arable land. The Provisia rice system and Clearfield production system for direct seeded rice are game-changers for growers in India, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

These technologies will debut in the second half of the decade, allowing farmers to continuously improve their yields without the need for wet paddy cultivation. Provisia will also enter the Chinese rice market by 2025.

BASF has partnered with Seedworks Philippines to introduce its non-GM trait for Provisia herbicide-tolerance into the Philippines' hybrid rice market. This collaboration is part of a larger effort to launch Clearfield and Provisia herbicide tolerant traits in rice across five countries in Asia.

This is a big deal for farmers in these regions, as it will give them more flexibility and control over their crops. By partnering with local seed companies, BASF is helping to bring these innovative technologies to farmers who need them most.

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Credit: youtube.com, InVigor in a Minute - Seed Treatment Options | BASF

BASF is also working on new vegetable seed varieties that will provide growers with higher yields, better disease resistances, and improved fruit quality. These innovations will help farmers address the challenges of sustainability and consumer preferences.

Some examples of these innovations include spinach varieties with the best downy mildew resistance package in the industry, and a unique portfolio of hybrid artichoke varieties.

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Digital Solutions

BASF's digital solutions are making a significant impact in the agricultural industry. The SMART SPRAYING SOLUTION by Bosch BASF Smart Farming is commercially available in Europe for corn, sunflower, sugar beet, and soybean.

This innovative technology supports a more efficient use of herbicides, which is a game-changer for farmers. The solution is accessible to farmers through a partnership with German-based agricultural machinery manufacturer Dammann, initially in Germany and Hungary.

BASF is advancing additional partnerships and field trials in the Americas and Europe, with the aim of continued commercial launches within the 2023/24 season. This expansion will likely bring the benefits of SMART SPRAYING SOLUTION to more farmers around the world.

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Sustainability

Credit: youtube.com, Sustainable Agriculture at BASF

At BASF AG, sustainability is a top priority. The company has set ambitious targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.

BASF is committed to reducing its energy consumption and has implemented various measures to achieve this goal. One such measure is the use of renewable energy sources, which now account for over 30% of the company's energy mix.

The company is also making progress in reducing its water consumption, with a 20% reduction already achieved since 2010. This is a significant step towards minimizing its environmental impact.

Reducing Food Waste in Fruits and Vegetables

BASF is tackling food waste and loss by improving fruit and vegetable quality and flavor through seed breeding and innovations in chemistry and digital solutions.

By breeding new seed varieties, growers can benefit from higher yields, better disease resistances, and improved fruit quality, all while being mindful of sustainability.

Spinach varieties with the best downy mildew resistance package in the industry are just one example of the innovations in vegetable seeds that BASF is working on.

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Credit: youtube.com, The Science of Making Fruits and Veggies Last Longer | Jenny Du | TED

BASF is also developing unique hybrid artichoke varieties and tomatoes adapted to rising global temperatures to help growers produce more resilient crops.

Indoor growing techniques are another area where BASF is making a difference, providing optimal combinations of fruit and vegetable varieties with growing programs optimized for its partners.

These innovations can help ensure that more fruits and vegetables make it from the farm to the table, reducing food waste and loss along the way.

Icar-Crri Partner for Carbon Emission Reduction

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Rice Research Institute (ICAR-CRRI) is partnering with BASF to advance climate-smart rice farming in India.

ICAR-CRRI has released two herbicide-tolerant rice varieties, CR Dhan 807 and CR Dhan 812, which are also climate resilient. These varieties will be used in the trial to support the adoption of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) practices.

The trial will be conducted in Odisha and Jharkhand, and will evaluate the impact of AWD on greenhouse gas emissions and rice yields.

Credit: youtube.com, Tackling Zero webinar - Nature based approaches to emissions removals

A key challenge with AWD is that it can encourage weed growth due to increased soil aeration, but herbicide-tolerant rice seeds can help farmers manage this issue efficiently.

The trial aims to identify the conditions under which a carbon farming program can incentivize AWD adoption, and support BASF's global goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation by 30%.

By reducing the cost of cultivation and allowing farmers to grow rice with limited water, this initiative presents immense opportunities to augment farmers' income.

Public Health

At BASF, public health is a top priority, and their innovative solutions are making a real difference in the fight against malaria. Malaria still affects over 300 million people every year.

Their InterceptorG2 mosquito nets are a game-changer, employing a unique combination of two active ingredients and a proprietary textile coating process. This next-generation net is the only one to control mosquitoes resistant to traditional insecticides.

Credit: youtube.com, Interceptor® G2 – What is resistance and why is it a problem?

In partnership with MedAccess and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, BASF facilitated the supply of 35 million InterceptorG2 mosquito nets to countries where insecticide resistance is a major issue. The project, known as the New Nets Project, was a huge success, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Increased access to effective mosquito nets is a tangible contribution to the UN Sustainable Development goals, and it's saving lives.

Company

BASF AG is a multinational chemical company with a rich history dating back to 1865.

Founded by Friedrich Engelhorn in Mannheim, Germany, the company has grown to become one of the world's largest chemical producers.

BASF's headquarters is located in Ludwigshafen, Germany, where the company's main production facilities are also based.

SE Overview

BASF SE is a global chemical company that operates through six segments.

The company was founded in 1865 and is headquartered in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany.

BASF SE has a large workforce, with over 110,000 employees.

Close-up of stainless steel pipes and valves in a chemical industry setting.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of stainless steel pipes and valves in a chemical industry setting.

The company engages in a wide range of activities, including engineering and commodity trading.

BASF SE operates through six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care, and Agricultural Solutions.

The Chemicals segment provides petrochemicals and intermediates, while the Materials segment offers advanced materials and their precursors.

The Industrial Solutions segment develops and markets ingredients and additives for industrial applications.

The Surface Technologies segment provides catalysts, battery materials, and automotive OEM and refinish coatings.

The Nutrition & Care segment offers ingredients for consumer applications in areas such as nutrition, home, and personal care.

The Agricultural Solutions segment provides seeds and traits, and seed treatment products, as well as digital solutions.

BASF Prepares for IPO

BASF is preparing its agricultural chemicals business for an initial public offering (IPO) in the next few years.

The company is restructuring as part of measures announced by new CEO Markus Kamieth, who plans to overhaul the business.

BASF's Agricultural Solutions division is being prepared for a listing, which could also signal a willingness to sell parts of the coatings business or bring in a partner.

Credit: youtube.com, Consumer Sector Update: June 23, 2010

The company's agricultural unit comprises seeds & traits, crop protection, digital farming, public health, urban & rural pest control, turf & ornamentals and animal nutrition divisions.

Last year, sales at BASF's Agricultural Solutions unit totalled €10bn (U$11bn).

BASF is focusing on selected crops in different regions, including wheat, canola, sunflower in North America and Europe; soyabeans, corn, cotton in the Americas; rice in Asia; and fruit and vegetables globally.

BASF's new CEO Markus Kamieth is continuing his predecessor's push to reduce the company's reliance on subdued European markets.

The company is building a €10bn (U$11bn) chemical complex in southern China to tap into faster growth in Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is BASF struggling?

BASF is struggling due to high energy costs and weak demand, particularly in China. Tariffs on exports also pose a significant challenge for the company.

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