Page 164 - CW E-Magazine (15-10-2024)

News from Abroad

CROP PROTECTION
Biotalys expands R&D pipeline with new biofungicide

programme

Biotalys, a Belgian agricultural tech- gen with the effi cacy and safety desired the growing pipeline of protein-based
nology (AgTech) company developing by growers at a competitive cost,” biocontrols of Biotalys.
protein-based biocontrols for sustain- Dr. Carlo Boutton, Chief Scientifi c
able crop protection, has announced Offi cer of Biotalys, said. The company has already fi nalised
the addition of a new biofungicide the development of its fi rst biofungicide
programme, ‘BioFun-8’, to its research Biotalys will leverage its proprietary Evoca, targeting botrytis and powdery
and development pipeline. ‘Agrobody 2.0’ technology platform to mildew, which is currently under regula-
accelerate the development of a novel tory review by the authorities in the US
“Fungal diseases continue to cause protein-based biocontrol targeting Alter- and EU. If approved, Evoca will pave
numerous challenges for growers – from naria. the way for its next generation version
creating stress on plants that stunts their Evoca NG which is expected to be the
growth and reduces yields, to devastat- The global market size for a novel fi rst commercial product out of the
ing entire crops and infesting the soil crop protection solution against this fun- Biotalys’ pipeline. Other ongoing R&D
with billions of spores. gal disease is estimated to be in the range programmes are BioFun-6, targeting
of $1.1-bn at grower level. In addition, botrytis, powdery mildew and anthrac-
Our newest biocontrol programme as Alternaria causes signifi cant contami- nose; BioFun-7, a programme spon-
will focus on developing a biofungi- nation and rotting of food products in the sored by the Gates Foundation to fi ght
cide to control Alternaria, one of the key storage period, applications of a new and leaf spot disease on cowpea; BioFun-4,
fungal diseases in fruits, vegetables and effective product have potential in the a project aimed at tackling oomycetes
speciality crops. As in all our pipeline post-harvest segment as well. (water mould); and BioIns-2, a partner-
programmes, we aim to deliver a crop ship with Syngenta to develop a new
protection solution to tackle this patho- ‘BioFun-8’ is the latest addition to bioinsecticide.
Air Liquide inks long term contract with China’s

Wanhua Chemical

France’s Air Liquide said it will
invest close to €60-mn to take over and
operate an Air Separation Unit (ASU)
within the context of a long-term con-
tract with China’s Wanhua Chemical
Group based Yantai, the second largest
industrial city in Shandong province.
The company will supply large amounts
of nitrogen and oxygen to Wanhua
Chemical.

Air Liquide will also build, own and
operate a new liquid argon production
unit on this ASU to serve industrial mer- start supplying industrial and medical provincial economy, where it owns and
chant markets in Yantai city and the wider gases in Yantai. operates four ASUs, a hydrogen pro-
province of Shandong. This long-term duction plant, a fi lling centre, as well
contract, the fi rst signed by the Group Air Liquide already has a strong pre- as a manufacturing centre that produces
with Wanhua, will allow Air Liquide to sence in Shandong, China’s third-largest ASUs and hydrogen production units.

164 Chemical Weekly October 15, 2024

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