Replacing normal polyethylene with Symphony's NbR resin is considered more environmentally friendly due to its ability to biodegrade after the harvest. (Image source: Symphony Environmental)

Leading sustainable plastics manufacturer, Symphony Environmental has urged farmers and growers to halt their use of ordinary plastic mulch films that are capable of contaminating soil and affecting food quality, thus calling for new plastic-manufacturing methods

To prevent the ongoing environmental damage caused by plastic pollution year after year, CEO of Symphony Environmental, Michael Laurier argues that farmers and growers must switch to the right kind of biodegradable plastic. To protect crops and reduce water evaporation, farmers and growers generally spread plastic mulch films on their fields. However, conventional plastic films cannot be recycled easily after use due to contamination and degradation. Moreover, when being removed from the field post exposure to sunlight and weathering, they tend to release fragments and microplastics that are extremely detrimental to the environment. 

Replacing normal polyethylene with Symphony's NbR resin is considered more environmentally friendly due to its ability to biodegrade after the harvest , without needing to be collected and transferred to a composting facility. Its degradating can be programmed to occur in the timescale required for each crop type. It will then act as a carbon source for next year's plants.

“This resin can be produced by mulch-film manufacturers at lower cost than normal polyethylene using their standard equipment, as it contains 20% less fossil-derived plastic,” said Laurier. “Plastic pollution of the countryside needs to be addressed urgently, and farmers and growers now have the opportunity to do this at no extra cost.”

The Synergen Guard range was in focus at CAC 2025, along with its new Dispersogen TP 100 T and the Sapogenat T range. (Image source: Clariant)

During the 2025 China International Agrochemical and Crop Protection Exhibition (CAC), Clariant unveiled its next-generation solutions for biologicals and innovative approaches to sustaining plant health by optimising soil water management

As global population continues to grow, climate change is posing a major threat to agriculture and food security. To combat these challenges, Clariant has launched an advanced soil adjuvent that is aimed at optimising the  efficiency of water used for sustainable agricultural practices. This helps improve vertical and lateral water movement within the soil, thereby ensuring a consistent distribution of moisture. 

The Synergen Guard range was in focus at CAC 2025. This included Synergen Guard 100, a performance booster and rainfastness agent for biologicals. This innovative nano-emulsion-based tank-mix adjuvant contains renewable wax and is produced by a unique proprietary highly efficient emulsification technology. It is biocompatible with a broad range of microorganisms, giving a powerful boost in coverage, efficacy, and rain protection to the biocontrol agent.

Besides this, Clariant will also be showcasing its new Dispersogen TP 100 T and the Sapogenat T range. The former is a high-performance anionic dispersing agent that finds application in suspension concentrate (SC) and can be used in conventional SC formulations with high cost-effectiveness, under a recommended dosage ranging approximately between 3-5%. It can also be used to solve common SC issues such as poor wetting, rapid growth of particle size, viscosity build-up, bad flowability, and even pseudoplastic and creaming issues. The latter on the other hand, has been designed as a replacement for nonylphenol ethoxolates (NPE), which has been restricted since March 2023. It functions as a non-ionic emulsifier based on tri-sec-butylphenol with various ethoxylation degrees. Considered the best-performing NPE alternative, it offers excellent emulsification power, making it a good wetter capable of increasing pesticide efficacy in foliar application.

Clariant's innovative solutions will be on display at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre from 17-19 March in Shangahai. 

The programme is aimed at tackling challenges such as land restoration, carbon neutrality, and smallholder farming sustainability. (Image source: ICRISAT)

A three-week international training on landscape resource conservation recently concluded at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) bringing together 24 participants from 14 countries 

These include Ghana, Tajikistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, Morocco, Ethiopia, Cambodia, Liberia, Mali, Chad, Sri Lanka, Lesotho, Iran, and the Philippines. The programme is aimed at tackling challenges such as land restoration, carbon neutrality, and smallholder farming sustainability. It also provides a platform for sharing global best practices. During the training, director general-interim of ICRISAT, Dr Stanford Blade highlighted the importance of two-way knowledge exchange and encouraged continued collaboration beyond the workshop.

Key themes such as landscape hydrology, land resource inventory, natural resource management (NRM) structures, digital tools for landscape management, water budgeting, climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable farming practices, and nutrient management were covered during the training. Participants were also urged to translate their learnings into tangible actions.

At the inaugural session, Dr Ramesh Singh, principal scientist & cluster lead-ICRISAT at Development Centre, provided an overview of the course, while ICRISAT’s Global Research Programme directors, Dr Sean Mayes and Dr Victor Afari-Sefa, emphasised the role of collaborative research in addressing global challenges.

Participants engaged in immersive tour experiences which included an ICRISAT field visit and a one-week exposure visit to landscape intervention sites in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The tour included the World Heritage Irrigation Structure – Sukma Dukma Dam – and visits to ICAR institutes IGFRI and CAFRI, which specialise in grassland and fodder research, as well as agroforestry.

“This training is not just an academic exercise; it embodies the spirit of South-South collaboration. I urge you to stay connected and build on this resource base to drive meaningful change,” Dr Blade emphasised. He also acknowledged the support of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, for facilitating the programme. 

Novonesis will vertically integrate the complete value chain of the Alliance, adding dsm-firmenich’s sales and distribution activities alongside its existing product innovation and production capabilities. (Image source: Novonesis)

Novonesis has signed an agreement with dsm-firmenich to take over the sales and distribution activities of the Feed Enzyme Alliance in exchange for a total cash consideration of US$1.5bn 

This acquisition aligns with Novonesis’ growth strategy and expands its presence across the animal biosolutions value chain. Financially, this transaction is accretive to revenue growth, adjusted EBITDA margin and adjusted EPS excl. amortisation, with attractive revenue synergies.

Novonesis will vertically integrate the complete value chain of the Alliance, adding dsm-firmenich’s sales and distribution activities alongside its existing product innovation and production capabilities. The fully integrated business will be better equipped to serve existing and new customers with strong insights into core markets and product technologies enhancing R&D and unleashing further innovation. 

Through the successful combination of Novozymes and Chr Hansen, Novonesis is now an industry leader in animal biosolutions with one consolidated go to market model and leading technological know-how. With this transaction Novonesis will have a greater customer reach and a broader offering of market leading biosolutions, combining enzymes and probiotics, for both animal nutrition and health. This acquisition will accelerate Novonesis’ sales growth of animal biosolutions by a low-single-digit CAGR above market growth.

“The Alliance has been a great success for both companies, establishing a global leadership position in feed enzymes," said CEO of dsm-firmenich, Dimitri de Vreeze. I am confident that this business will continue to thrive under the leadership of Novonesis, and I am pleased that the long-term commercial relationship with our Animal Nutrition & Health business will continue.”