Global R&D Activities

Research Center

A major mission of the Group is to create new agrochemicals that meet the needs of the times to ensure a safe, secure and steady food supply and improve the environment and quality of life for all. As an R&D-driven company, Nihon Nohyaku has built strategies based on accurate analysis of the business environment and market changes. We work on discovery of new agrochemicals as well as expansion of the fields of application of existing products from a global perspective. We continuously challenge ourselves to create technologies that contribute to global food production by enhancing the functions of the Research Center, which carries out cutting-edge research, and the Manufacturing Technology Research Center, which is responsible for technological development in the manufacturing stage. We also challenge ourselves by strengthening the development system that responds to global market needs with domestic and overseas Group companies. We also promote licensing activities effectively by using intellectual property such as patents and improve our product portfolio to expand our business.

Creation of New Agrochemicals

The creation of new active ingredients for agrochemicals takes more than 10 years as well as significant investment, requiring many processes from research and development to launch as new products. Under such circumstances, we have continuously developed one new molecule every three years. We have contributed to ensuring a safe and steady food supply by launching, to date, flubendiamide, an insecticide for Lepidoptera, pyraziflumid, a broad-spectrum fungicide, and pyraflufen-ethyl, a PPO inhibitor herbicide/desiccant. We are accelerating exploratory research by expanding our efforts in the recent AI drug discovery technologies in the synthesis field, omics research in the safety and biological fields, and initiatives in the computational science field.

Developing Eco-harmonized Products

Scientists in the Research Center

Agrochemicals are required to be effective against pests and weeds, to be safe for users and consumers, and to be considerate of the natural environment. By having the chemistry, biology, safety, and research support departments collaborate from an early phase of the research stage, the Group has developed agrochemical products that have a low environmental impact, such as “reduced impact on environmental organisms” and “reductions in dosage and residual amounts.” NICHINO Group aims to develop agrochemicals that are closely aligned with the perspectives of “the environment, safety and health,” by using the latest scientific knowledge, not only in response to related laws and regulations in each country, but also from the perspective of promoting SDGs and sustainability management. Most recently, we launched Benzpyrimoxan (ORCHESTRA®), which inhibits ecdysis of nymphs of plant hoppers and leaf hoppers, in Japan and India. It is characterized by the fact that it has less adverse effect on humans, animals, and aquatic organisms. Moreover, it has a low impact on many natural enemies and beneficial insects, as well as a low risk of phytotoxicity to crops. We will also build new facilities to manufacture active ingredients in India, our largest market, and promote local manufacturing in consuming countries to reduce CO2 emissions during transportation.
In addition to chemically synthesized agrochemicals, we will also expand our business to include biopesticides and crop aid products (biostimulants, etc.).

Ingenuity During Manufacturing

In the production of chemically synthesized agrochemicals, chemical reactions are often carried out under heat and sometimes pressure. We select manufacturing methods that are efficient, use little energy, and avoid the risk of accidents such as explosions. We also contribute to the realization of a sustainable society in less obvious ways when processing active ingredients into final products. We do this by using production methods with low CO2 emissions and establishing formulations that do not use secondary materials that may have adverse effects on the environment.

Ethical Considerations concerning Testing on Animals

The Group has established internal regulations concerning testing on animals in accordance with the “Act on Welfare and Management of Animals” and related guidelines. We also promote animal welfare and reduce animal testing through technological development and research initiatives using cultured cells and computer modelling.

Examples of Crop Aid Products

“FROST BUSTER,” a product of the Group, was developed based on a new proposal to effectively utilize “coffee grounds,” a byproduct of canned coffee manufacturing, and prevent frost damage on crops by promoting supercooling*. This is a product that contributes to the realization of a sustainable, recycling-oriented society.

* When frost or ice is formed, extremely small ice seeds (ice nuclei) are first formed, and these gradually become larger lumps (formation and growth of ice crystals). The promotion of supercooling prevents the formation of ice crystals from these ice nuclei, by preventing water from freezing even at temperatures below its freezing point.

“CROSS VALUE” is a wettable powder containing two types of Bacillus bacteria that we introduced from Chr. Hansen, a long-established Danish company that handles various microbial materials. The bacteria grow around the roots of crops, supporting phosphate absorption, and forms a biofilm that assists water absorption and reduces environmental stress. This is a crop aid product that can be expected to maintain the health of crop roots and stabilize yields and quality.

Contribution to Smart Agriculture

We have accelerated our efforts for “smart agriculture” to solve agriculture-related issues, making use of cutting-edge technologies. As part of our activities, we worked with several agrochemical manufacturers to promote “LeiMe AI Disease, Pest & Weed Analysis.” As of June 2024, 25 crops can be diagnosed and it is currently being expanded to overseas countries, mainly in Asia. We will continue to work on expanding crops that can be diagnosed, enhancing functions such as multilingual support, and strengthening overseas development. In addition, our Group company, AgriMart Corporation, has started a sanitary pest management support service, “LeiMe AI Pest Identification and Counting System.”

Expansion to Pharmaceuticals and Animal Health Products

In our pharmaceutical and animal health products business, we have applied the technologies from our core business of agrochemicals to the expansion and development of topical antifungal agents (medicine for athlete’s foot) and flea and tick control agents for animals. Our inventions, lanoconazole and luliconazole, are highly effective against trichophyton, the fungus that causes athlete’s foot. Currently both compounds are used to treat athlete’s foot. We also aim to create new animal health products through joint research with ADEKA.