BASF agrees to buy AgBiTech.

BASF has agreed to acquire the AgBiTech group, which specializes in biological insect control. The transaction involves the complete purchase of the business, currently owned by the Paine Schwartz Partners fund and other shareholders. The closing is expected in the first half of 2026, following regulatory approvals. The companies did not disclose the financial details of the transaction.

With the transaction, BASF acquires all of AgBiTech's assets. The package includes portfolio, intellectual property, factories, research centers, and teams. The multinational states that the purchase expands its capacity to offer differentiated solutions for insect management. The focus is on Brazil, a rapidly expanding market for biological products.

Founded in 2000, AgBiTech is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. The company has developed technologies based on nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs), natural viruses used in pest control. The group operates in Brazil, the United States, and Australia. It serves producers of soybeans, corn, cotton, and specialty crops.

According to BASF, AgBiTech's technology complements its portfolio of biosolutions. The strategy seeks to integrate biological and chemical products into integrated pest management programs. The company highlights the pressure from chewing insects, especially caterpillars of the order Lepidoptera, as a recurring challenge in Brazilian crops.