AgBiTech, UPL partner for new biosolutions

UPL, a global leader in sustainable agriculture solutions, and AgBiTech, a world leader in ag biologicals innovation to create healthy food systems, have entered a strategic partnership to bring a range of sustainable biosolutions to crops in California, Arizona and Hawaii.

Through the collaboration, UPL will distribute AgBiTech’s biosolutions through its Natural Plant Protection (NPP) business unit, starting with two bioinsecticides this year.

AgBiTech is providing the technology and distribution rights in the Western United States for two OMRI-certified bioinsecticides: Heligen and Fawligen.

• Heligen is a novel and highly selective IRAC Group 31 biological insecticide that offers growers a cost-efficient option for controlling corn earworm, cotton bollworm, tomato fruitworm and tobacco budworm larvae, particularly those that are resistant to traditional insecticides.
• Fawligen is a biological insecticide that is specifically designed to control fall armyworm. Also a member of IRAC Group 31, Fawligen tank mixes well to control populations resistant to traditional insecticides.

UPL is the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of biosolutions. Last year, UPL launched Natural Plant Protection (NPP), a new global business unit that features UPL’s comprehensive portfolio of biologically derived inputs. Through UPL’s global R&D expertise and collaboration with innovative agriculture companies, NPP can increase the depth and delivery speed of natural solutions that help solve agronomic challenges that growers face.

“At the core of UPL’s OpenAg approach is our vision that true innovation is inspired by collaboration, and that working together creates the most impactful results for agriculture,” says Jim Petta, UPL Natural Plant Protection Head, North America. “Our partnership with AgBiTech exemplifies our promise to be that catalyst for innovation to help solve problems for growers — and society — today and in the future.”

Adds Marcos Castro, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for AgBiTech, “This agreement solidifies our commitment to bringing safe and effective integrated pest management solutions to growers in North America. We are looking forward to delivering our unique biosolutions to the Western US and we believe in the biological focus UPL is bringing to market.”

AgBiTech started its journey two decades ago in Australia and today is a world leader in the biologicals sector, with 8.5 million acres of row crops treated with its products in 2021.