WITH A raft of new products set to come in stream, Dow AgroSciences has committed to innovation and growth in the UK and Ireland, at the launch of its new HQ in Cambridge.

It aims to become the third largest crop protection company serving the UK and Ireland and Mrs Toni McEwan, Dow AgroSciences’ managing director for the UK and Ireland, said: “Our vision is to become a top tier player in the UK crop protection market, with our rich pipeline of new chemistry coming to the market.”

Mrs McEwan spelt out how global investment in innovation over the past decade had resulted in a flow of new products that would bring significant benefits to the UK farming industry.

“We have three brand new classes of chemistry set to enter the market over the next three years,” she said. “In addition, we are extending and enhancing our market leading range of grassland herbicides.”

Arylex Active (halauxifen-methyl) is the first broad-leaf weed herbicide to be introduced in over a decade. “In an age where old products are resuscitated through new mixtures and formulations, this is new chemistry with a new target site receptor and brand new products.

"Unveiled at Cereals last year and with a limited amount marketed in spring 2017 as Pixarro, all the feedback to date is very encouraging,” she said.

Isoclast Active (sulfoxaflor) is a new insecticide that controls sap sucking insects in a range of crops. "Again, this is a brand new class of chemistry being introduced at a time when so many insecticides are being withdrawn. The first products based on Isoclast are due for release within a year," added Mrs McEwan.

Also new will be Inatreq Active, which takes Dow into the cereal fungicide market for the first time. This targets the yield robbing disease septoria in winter wheat – “This ingredient is a huge deal for us, taking us to places in the market that we have never been before,” said Mrs McEwan.

There is also positive news for grassland farmers. New approvals are expected for a new sown ley herbicide providing a wide spectrum of weed control.

This will be a herbicide designed to meet the needs of paddocks and other areas where grass does not compete well. The weed control spectrum will match the challenge of such areas, including buttercups, daisies, plantains, docks and so on.

* Dow's new offices in Cambridge’s Capital Park are state is equipped to house 40 of the company’s 80 strong workforce, linked into their European and international counterparts.