BASF successfully enforces patent covering a specific form of saflufenacil
- The decision reinforces the strength and validity of BASF's intellectual property portfolio for Agricultural Solutions
- Protecting innovation supports continued investment in new solutions for Australian growers
Melbourne, Australia – 27, July 2026 – BASF has successfully enforced and defended its intellectual property rights covering a specific solid form of the active ingredient saflufenacil, underscoring the strength of its patent portfolio and ongoing commitment to developing innovative agricultural solutions for Australian growers.
The outcome reflects BASF’s commitment to protecting innovation and reinforces the importance of a fair and competitive marketplace that encourages continued investment in agricultural research and development.
In Australia, this specific solid form of saflufenacil is the active ingredient in BASF’s Sharpen® and Voraxor® herbicides, helping growers manage difficult weeds across multiple crop systems.
Developing new technologies requires significant long-term investment in research and development, as well as regulatory approvals. BASF has built, and continues to maintain, a strong patent portfolio around saflufenacil and related technologies. This includes patents covering specific crystalline forms of the active ingredient, which contribute to the performance, stability and quality of BASF’s crop protection solutions.
“At BASF, we are committed to supporting Australian growers with reliable, science-based solutions they can trust,” said Parvana Wali, Head of BASF Agricultural Solutions Australia & New Zealand. “Innovation is a core part of our business. Protecting our intellectual property supports the research and development needed to develop new crop protection technologies, helps drive continued innovation, and enables us to keep delivering value to Australian growers.”
BASF continues to monitor market activity and will take appropriate action, where necessary, to protect its intellectual property rights.
For more information about BASF crop protection products, visit BASF Crop Solutions.
About BASF Agricultural Solutions.
Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide sufficient and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. With €990 million in 2025, we invest in a strong R&D pipeline, and our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and stakeholders along the value chain. In 2025, our business generated sales of €9.6 billion. For more information, please visit http://www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.
About BASF in Australia and New Zealand
BASF serves key industries in the agriculture, coatings, manufacturing and mining sectors, and posted sales of about €318 million in Australia and New Zealand in 2025. As of the end of 2025, the company had 319 employees and operated 6 production sites across Agricultural Solutions, performance products and functional materials and solutions. BASF has been active in Australia for over 100 years, and over 60 years in New Zealand. Further information is available on www.basf.com/au.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 95,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments
Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €60 billion in 2025. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.
