Sumitomo Chemical launches Excalia Max fungicide in Brazil

Sumitomo Chemical has received registration approval in Brazil, the world's largest soybean-producing country, for its EXCALIA MAX soybean fungicide, which contains the new active ingredient INDIFLIN*.

EXCALIA MAX is a fungicide that contains the new active ingredient INDIFLIN and has excellent efficacy against Asian soybean rust, the most serious soybean disease, and also target spot. Including Brazil, the South American market currently represents around 30% of global pesticide sales and is expected to continue to grow steadily as the largest market in the world. Sumitomo Chemical has been working to consolidate its global presence in the crop protection business by building its own operations in key markets.

As part of this initiative in South America, the company acquired four South American subsidiaries of Nufarm Limited, a leading Australian agricultural chemical company, in April 2020, to gain manufacturing and sales operations in the region, in addition to establishing a center in Brazil of research and development with its own testing ground, thus building integrated operations, from development to formulation and distribution. Taking full advantage of these capabilities, the company will begin selling EXCALIA MAX for the soybean harvest starting in 2022 and accelerate the market penetration of this new fungicide.

The new active ingredient INDIFLIN was registered in Brazil after being designated as a priority list product in a mechanism of the country's agrochemical registration system to prioritize evaluations of products effective in controlling pests and serious diseases. Sumitomo Chemical launched a fungicide containing INDIFLIN in Japan in 2020, followed by the US, Canada and Paraguay in 2021, while assessments by authorities are progressing in several countries and regions such as Argentina and the EU. The company will continue to expand its line of products containing INDIFLIN and cultivate them as drivers of success and growth for its crop protection business.

Sumitomo Chemical will continue its efforts to offer innovative solutions that meet the needs of agricultural producers and contribute to ensuring a stable supply of safe, quality food, which is increasingly in high demand around the world.

*INDIFLIN is the registered brand of inpirfluxam (ISO common name). INDIFLIN belongs to a class of fungicides known as succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHI), which inhibit the energy production process of pathogenic fungi.