Bayer shared plans to launch 10 “blockbuster” products in the next 10 years at its 2024 Crop Science innovation update in Chicago.
Each of these new products will contribute more than $500 million over its $32 billion peak sales potential in its research and development pipeline across the global agriculture industry, according to a news release.
Bayer said it will reach more than 400 million acres using regenerative agriculture production globally by the middle of the next decade. Its regenerative agriculture practices include improving soil health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing carbon sequestering in the soil, maintaining or restoring on-farm biodiversity, conserving water resources, reducing water runoff and more, the company said.
“We are focusing on closely connected agricultural systems that combine seeds, traits, crop protection and digital solutions in a smart way to benefit the farmers and the environment,” Bob Reiter, Bayer’s head of research and development, said in the release. “We are leveraging key technology platforms like gene editing, precision breeding, small molecules and biologicals to deliver products that farmers need to make agriculture more productive while reducing the carbon footprint and fostering biodiversity at a global scale.”
As part of the event, the company announced plans to deploy 400 to 500 seed hybrids and varieties annually and 90 to 100 new formulations in the next decade.
These innovations the company plans include, according to the release:
- Precon Smart Corn System, which improves varieties’ ability to stand in high winds and challenging weather conditions due to a shorter height. The company said it expects this technology to net more than $1.5 billion in peak sales and have more than 220 million acres planted using this technology. Bayer said it plans to introduce a biotech version in 2027 and a gene-edited version thanks to its partnership with Pairwise to reach global markets. This includes combining next-generation insect control traits such as fourth- and fifth-generation Lepidoptera control and fourth-generation corn rootworm.
- Plenexos insecticide, a ketoenol insecticide with high plant mobility with high efficacy against sucking pests such as aphids, whiteflies, scales and mealybugs at low dose rates for foliar and soil uses. Plenexos will be suitable for application in arable and horticulture crops and its favorable pollinator and beneficial toxicological profile will ensure broad flexibility and a fit within integrated pest management programs, according to the company. Bayer plans to launch Plenexos in 2025.
- Icafolin herbicide, which Bayer said is the first new mode of action in post-emergence weed control in more than 30 years and is based on its CropKey approach.
- Bayer said it will release a new fungicide for global use in fruits, vegetables and other crops. The company said this new fungicide will help to provide farmers worldwide with a reliable tool to ensure healthy crops and robust resistance management as well as being an excellent fit with its fungicide portfolio.
The company said, as part of its plans, it will accelerate its biological research and development pipeline thanks to development partnerships with Ginkgo Bioworks, Kimitec, MustGrow and others. These products include innovations in nitrogen fixation, crop protection and biostimulants.
Bayer also said it will leverage artificial-intelligence technology to speed up the development of seeds, traits and crop protection and provide cloud-based solutions.
“AI is a core technology in powering the digital transformation of agriculture, which helps tackle climate change and ensure global food security,” said Jeremy Williams, Bayer’s head of digital farming for its Crop Science Division.
