RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – BASF Agricultural Solutions acquired the proprietary Glu-L technology for L-glufosinate ammonium from AgriMetis. With this technology, BASF will provide farmers with a more efficient solution and improved formulation to protect against troublesome weeds.

“The Glu-L technology builds on BASF’s continued commitment to innovative solutions that help farmers solve their most pressing challenges,” said Paul Rea, Senior Vice President, BASF Agricultural Solutions North America. “We know weed resistance continues to threaten farming operations, and this needed technology will help address this concern. It will also contribute to sustainable farming practices by reducing the amount of product needed to control weeds.”

With continued growth in the crop protection and seeds market, coupled with an expanding global population, it is increasingly important to conserve natural resources and meet consumer demand for transparency and food safety. Glu-L helps meet this demand. Today’s glufosinate products consist of the active L-glufosinate ammonium and the inactive D-glufosinate ammonium. The Glu-L technology converts the latter into active L-glufosinate ammonium. This makes the new product significantly more efficient.

While weed control with Glu-L is equivalent to currently available commercial glufosinate products, farmers applying the new technology can reduce the amount of crop protection they need to apply by up to 50 percent. This reduction will help create efficiencies for both farmers and the channel and make the distribution and application of the product even more sustainable than today’s solutions.

Glu-L has been submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will launch in the next few years upon agency approval. It will also be launched in other relevant regions.

BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division is continuously investing in its portfolio and researching new solutions that benefit farmers, the environment and society.