September 9, 2015
Sumitomo Chemical to establish R&D base in Brazil
Sumitomo Chemical will establish a Latin America Research Center in Brazil that will conduct efficacy trials and research and development as well as analyses of crop protection products and other related products.
The center, which will be operated by Sumitomo Chemical Brazil, will be Sumitomo Chemical Group''s first research and development base in Latin America.
Through the conduct of trials and researches geared specifically to the regional market, the center is expected to accelerate development of products customised to local conditions and requirements.
According to Sumitomo, setting up the new research and development arm in the Southern Hemisphere makes it possible to carry out field trials more efficiently by selecting a region with the most suitable climatic conditions. The company''s existing R&D facilities are all located in the Northern Hemisphere where seasons are different to those in the South.
In 2013, a branch office of Sumitomo Chemical Brazil was opened in Argentina to strengthen development and sales capabilities for crop protection products in Latin America.
This initiative was augmented earlier in August this year by consolidating the Group''s post-harvest treatment and crop protection products businesses in Chile through merging two Sumitomo companies engaged in the respective businesses.
The crop protection market in Latin America has been growing rapidly in recent years, currently accounting for approximately 25% of the world market.
Brazil is the world''s largest market, surpassing that of the US.
The Latin American region, which embraces Argentina, one of the world''s leading agricultural producers, and Central American countries, known for their large-scale plantations, is likely to see greater growth in agricultural production in the years ahead.