BASF opens new Application Technology Center to improve testing of crop protection products
- New assessment will ensure improved applicability and handling of crop protection products
- Technical center for testing spray application technology under realistic farming conditions
Limburgerhof, Germany – September 21, 2016 – BASF has recently opened a new Application Technology Center at its Crop Protection division headquarters in Limburgerhof, Germany. The facility offers a large-scale commercial sprayer set-up, capable of conducting controlled tests of new crop protection products under realistic farming conditions. The new equipment strengthens BASF’s efforts to develop highly robust formulations and foster an easier, safer, and more efficient application of its products.
So far, formulation trials have been conducted on smaller scale. Since crop protection spraying becomes more and more complex, robust plant protection products and their testing according to farmers’ practice however gain importance. Multiple products are mixed in the spray tank and farmers often face time pressure and logistic challenges while spraying. That requires a fast filling process and improved product handling. Therefore, crop protection products must fulfill higher criteria for optimal usage and the best performance. For example, they must be stable when mixed with other products and safe to apply. BASF has opened the new Application Technology Center to strengthen these benefits and further increase the quality of its crop protection products.
“The new Application Technology Center is another step to further improve our formulations. Through the evaluation of the application process in a commercial large scale sprayer, we can optimize the application properties of products towards higher robustness. Farmers will be able to achieve better spraying results. This is important to us, as we want farmers to be able to produce food of higher quality, more efficiently and safely”, explained Lars Wittkowski, Vice President of Global Formulation Development & Analytics at BASF`s Crop Protection division.
The new center will be testing products sold on a global scale for a wide range of crops. The Center is now a permanent part of BASF’s research facilities. To conduct the tests, BASF is utilizing a commercial sprayer provided by John Deere. Both companies in collaboration will use the test results.
About BASF’s Crop Protection division
With sales of more than €5.8 billion in 2015, BASF’s Crop Protection division provides innovative solutions for agriculture, turf and ornamental plants, pest control and public health. Our broad portfolio of active ingredients, seed treatments, biological controls, formulations and services optimizes efficient production of high quality food and protects against post-harvest loss, damage to buildings and the transmission of disease. By delivering new technologies and know-how, BASF Crop Protection supports the effort of growers and pest management professionals to make a better life for themselves and society. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com or on our social media channels.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 112,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of more than €70 billion in 2015. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information at www.basf.com.
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