[Research Update] Forward Thinking

Since its formation through the merger of Zeneca Ag Products and Novartis Crop Protection in 2001, Syngenta Professional Products has exhibited its commitment to the pest management industry through its introduction of innovative products and business solutions.

This commitment begins with Syngenta’s investment in research and development, including the work taking place at the company’s Vero Beach (Fla.) Research Center. Syngenta Professional Products invited select PCOs and media representatives to tour VBRC in June.

Located on 240 acres, the Vero Beach Research Center provides support for new product development and extends the value of existing products for the professional pest management, turf and ornamental and vegetation management markets. Since the merger in 2001, the VBRC has received more than $5.2 million in upgrades and improvements.

Syngenta researchers Clark Lovelady and Kim McManamy showed off the professional pest management building and other areas of interest of the 17,350-square-foot facility, which includes offices, laboratories and greenhouses. Among the features in the pest management building are laboratories, an insect quarantine room, a termite-rearing room and one of the nation’s few ant-rearing facilities. Another important attraction is a demonstration/training area that pest management professionals can access for hands-on training. Outside of the professional pest management building is a 78-acre native woodland area where Syngenta’s termite products are tested.

PRODUCT & SERVICES UPDATE. Bringing new chemistries to market is a critical component of Syngenta’s growth strategy, but so is providing the pest control industry with innovative business solutions. Syngenta devoted much of the second day of the tour outlining this strategy.

Ashish Malik, head of Syngenta’s Professional Pest Management Business Unit, explained that Syngenta’s strategy is to provide PCOs profitable growth "by moving away from being a chemicals supplier to delivering total solutions that address pest management issues all the way to the final consumer."

Regarding new product development, Syngenta is repositioning itself in the termite market. If current applications for EPA registration stay on track, Syngenta believes it will be able to offer pest management professionals a comprehensive termite control arsenal. In addition to existing termite products such as cypermethrin-based Demon TC and Impasse Termite Blockers, Syngenta currently has three termiticides under Experimental Use Permit review:

• Zyrox termite bait, featuring the active ingredient lufenuron, is expected to be fully registered and available to pest management professionals by the end of 2006. Zyrox will be the below-ground product, while Zyrox Plus will be the above-ground product.

• OptiGard LT termiti-cide, featuring the active ingredient thiamethoxam, is a wettable granule currently being tested at U.S. Forest Service sites and also at universities. Syngenta also expects the product to be registered by the end of 2006.

• OptiGard DW termiti-cide, also featuring the active ingredient thiamethoxam, is a non-repellent, above-ground termiticide for control of drywood termites. The label also includes occasional invader pests. EUP tests are complete and registration is expected later this year.

In addition to termiticides, Syngenta announced the development of OptiGard AB Insecticide, a sugar-based ant bait that is delivered in a proprietary bait station for indoor and outdoor use. Syngenta expects it to be available for sale in 2006.

With a firm organizational structure in place and new products forthcoming, Syngenta says its future is strong.

"Syngenta feels very strongly that the merger is behind us now," Malik said. "We’re trying to strengthen the Syngenta brand. Now we can really focus on the pest management business — not the operational synergies and putting two companies together."