Crisp on the shelf

Mold is a problem for farmers – a sustainable fungicide from the F&F BU is now helping them combat it.

Since 2020, the F&F business unit has discovered agriculture for itself. Together with a partner, they want to obtain approval for a fungicide in accordance with EU regulations for the first time. “Our partner contributes expertise in the agricultural sector, while we contribute expertise in benzoic acid and formulation development,” says Senior Project Manager Doris Pfeiffer. The product, which is based on benzoic acid as an active ingredient, is convincing – the acid has been used in the cosmetics and food industries for decades and is therefore on the GRAS list (“Generally recognized as safe”) in the USA. “However, approval in the EU is a challenge due to the rules and regulations,” says Pfeiffer. “That's why we initially only applied for approval for apples, pears, tomatoes, and ornamental plants in greenhouses in the Netherlands, Greece, Italy, and Spain,” says Andre Grossmann, Head of Innovation and Business Development BU F&F. Even with this restriction, the scope of the studies required is enormous.

Replacing organic solvents
In the meantime, Grossmann's team received feedback from its partners and from various field studies. The conclusion was that the product could be significantly improved if the organic solvent were replaced. “The brilliant idea came to us during a meeting with our cooperation partner. We wanted to try it with our benzoic acid in water,” recalls Torsten Groth, external consultant. This approach was passed on to Amber Yarnell, head of the research laboratory in Kalama, BU F&F. After a year and a half of successful research, the optimized product Styraxo® 3.0 is now available: a sustainable and effective fungicide based on biodegradable, nature-identical benzoic acid. The new formulation was immediately patented.

Improved solution for farmers
Based on the good biodegradability data, Pfeiffer and Grossmann expect that Styraxo® 3.0 can be used up to a few days before harvest. Normally, fungicides may be applied to the fruit for the last time 30 days before harvest. “This is often a problem for farmers, as many fruits are particularly sensitive shortly before and after harvest,” says Grossmann. Styraxo® 3.0 would provide them with an improved solution for this situation.

Approvals for Styraxo® 3.0 are currently being prepared in several countries with different climate zones. Since each country has its own regulations, F&F needs a suitable registration partner in each case to navigate the regulatory jungle more quickly. For example, the efficacy of the product must be demonstrated on the target plants in the respective country over two to four seasons. These field studies and the preparation of the respective dossiers are time-consuming and expensive. “With financial support from LIFE until 2028, we will now reach our goal much faster,” Grossmann is convinced.

The Innovation Excellence Committee justified its decision as follows: “With Styraxo® 3.0, LANXESS is setting new standards in the field of sustainable plant treatment. It is a strong signal for innovation and responsibility.”