In this feature, we turn the spotlight on the key companies within our industry. In this issue, we take a closer look at global agri-science company, Syngenta.
In October 2012, Syngenta acquired a part of the DuPont Professional Product business portfolio including the industry-leading brands Advion, Arilon and Altriset. Bolstering an established and proven portfolio in Talon and Optigard, Syngenta’s Professional Pest Management (PPM) portfolio enables pest management professionals the world over to resolve pest infestations across a wide range of situations, both rural and urban.
Syngenta: Quick Facts
- Overview: Leading global agri-science company. Formed in 2000 from the agricultural divisions of Novartis and AstraZeneca.
- Company size: Globally 28,000 employees, in over 90 countries. Local PPM team of five, with an admin head office in Sydney.
- Specialisation: Syngenta Professional Pest Management (PPM) business unit supports the professional pest industry, provides vector control products and is expanding into farm pest control.
- Notable products: Talon, Demand, Arilon, Advion, Altriset and Optigard brands.
Globally, Syngenta PPM have a commitment and ongoing investment to specialist innovation for the professional pest management industry. Combining this with local knowledge and first-hand pest manager experience, enables Syngenta to create new and ever more effective solutions alongside products that have a proven track record. In addition to their “globally supported, locally adapted” ongoing research and development program, Syngenta PPM are one of a few organisations committed to providing technical support, education and one-to-one advice ‘on the ground’.
Syngenta’s pest management solutions reach into all corners of human life. In sub-Saharan Africa, Syngenta’s indoor residual spray, Actellic 300CS, has been formally recommended for use by the World Health Organisation. Used across 15 countries, it has been proven to dramatically reduce the mortality and morbidity rates from malaria. There is no better example of Syngenta PPM delivering ‘Life Uninterrupted’.
In Australia, the Syngenta Professional Pest Management business has been built on the heritage of Talon rodenticides – high performing formulations that are still core options for rodent work today. However, over the last ten years, on the back of the Advion gel baits for ants and cockroaches, Syngenta has created a reputation for leading gel control options.
Their products have been supported by innovative active ingredients, such as indoxacarb (Arilon and Advion) and chlorantraniliprole (Altriset), to deliver effective solutions for pest managers. With a range of new active ingredients, formulations and technology innovations in the pipeline, Syngenta will continue to deliver new solutions to pest managers.
New insecticides deliver
New insecticides can deliver significant benefits to pest managers. According to Dale Hudson, ANZ business manager for Syngenta Professional Products, the non-repellent properties and unique mode of action of indoxacarb has given pest managers great tools for the control of cockroaches and ants.
“The non-repellent nature of indoxacarb coupled with its delayed activation means it’s an ideal active for our Advion range of high performing bait products. But its use in Arilon as a non-repellent spray provides new treatment options for ants and cockroaches. Particularly for German cockroaches, the combination of Arilon wettable granules and Advion cockroach gel, both of which contain indoxacarb, has given pest managers new con dence in tackling this difficult pest, increasing the speed and longevity of control,” said Mr Hudson.
But there is also a clear demand for products that are safer for customers with reduced environmental impact.
“Many of the existing insecticides are coming under increasing pressure from the demands of customers, regulatory bodies and special interest groups. Various, commonly used insecticides have already been banned or placed under restricted use in the European Union. The investment of companies like Syngenta in the development of new actives is vital to ensure pest managers have the tools to deliver effective pest control in the future,” said Mr Hudson.
The development of chlorantraniliprole, used in Syngenta’s Altriset termiticide, is an example of an insecticide innovation that can meet the challenges of this new world. Its unique mode of action and lower risk profile for mammals, has allowed Altriset an unscheduled poison status.
“On the back of Syngenta’s AU$2 billion annual investment, we have new families of pesticides in the active discovery pipeline. These will generate a range of new products in the short, medium and long term.
However, Mr Hudson was keen to point out that although new insecticides are the fundamental building block of the products of the future, innovations in formulation technology are vital to deliver high performing products.
Innovations in formulation
Two areas where Syngenta have demonstrated innovation in the area of formulation technology, include the microencapsulation of synthetic pyrethroids and bait formulations. According to Mr Hudson, these innovations have delivered real bene ts to pest managers.
“The iCap technology used in Demand Insecticide protects the active ingredient from degradation and provides controlled release, both of which deliver longer lasting performance. But it’s our development of high performing bait formulations that has perhaps had the biggest impact on the industry. Being highly palatable to a wide range of ant species, the performance of Optigard and Advion baits has been revolutionary in driving the use of gels in ant control,” Mr Hudson explained.
“Although our trusted Talon range has been in the market for many years, the products remain amongst the industry’s best performing bait products. This is due to Talon’s formulation stability, highly attractive bait, single feed technology and cost-effectiveness. However, like the industry as a whole, innovation in rodent control has been slow for a number of years. We know we have to do something different, and it’s in the pipeline,” Mr Hudson said.
Supporting pest managers, supporting the industry
Syngenta look to support pest managers and indeed the industry as a whole, through tailored training and services to make the jobs of pest managers easier and to help them deliver quality outcomes.
“We want Syngenta to be viewed as a partner and solution provider, we’re here to help pest managers grow their businesses, not just provide products.
You will see the Syngenta team at every industry event, supporting the industry and being available to our customers,” Mr Hudson said.
“Pest managers need to be able to access information on the road and participate in training at a time convenient to them. Jessica Bayfield has recently joined the Syngenta team as a marketing lead and will help drive our digital strategy to provide pest managers with even more information and training. The star talent behind this training offer is Peter Ambrose-Pearce who many will know as a passionate industry professional, and Mike De Luca, our highly knowledgeable technical manager. Of course, the team is not a virtual team and are always available to receive phone calls to provide support and help with on-site visits when required,” Mr Hudson explained.
“Syngenta are very much focused on delivering products and services. It’s about providing products that avoid call backs and ensure that pest managers can go home at night having confidence in a job well done. To do this, to develop the products of the future, we need real innovation.”
