Clariant builds R&D unit to tackle agricultural challenges

Swiss specialty chemicals company Clariant has opened a new greenhouse at Clariant Innovation Center (CIC), Frankfurt (Germany), for tackling current and future agricultural challenges.

It will provide a real-life testing source for novel crop protection and management, as well as yield-enhancement solutions developed by Clariant and also in cooperation with customers.

The 400-sq m greenhouse offers smart simulation of environmental conditions such as humidity, light, rainfall and temperature, creating a proper climate for testing to supplement Clariant’s existing laboratory testing facilities at the CIC. The aim is to reduce development time and speed-to-market for advances in the niche growth areas of plant growth regulators, foliar fertilisers and bio-herbicides. These have been identified as focus areas to Clariant for successfully addressing current customer-specific needs and future global food demands.

“The new crop solutions greenhouse creates the perfect environment for fostering joint development in the areas we see as having most potential for delivering sustainable crop protection and, in the bigger picture, addressing the world’s increasing nutrition requirements. It’s a level of support that sets us apart within our industry and we are excited at the prospect of contributing even more closely to the innovations of tomorrow,” said Britta Funfstuck, member of Clariant’s executive committee.


BS