BASF Purchases Becker Underwood for $1 Billion

Sep 20, 2012

Acquisition Deal Will Strengthen Crop Protection Business

One of the world’s leading chemical companies – BASF Global has announced the purchase of Becker Underwood Inc. for $1.02 billion. With this new acquisition, BASF will be creating a new business unit that will focus on crop care. The company forecasts that this new unit will generate $240 million in sales within the year.

"We are impressed with Becker Underwood's ability to translate growers' needs into innovative, tailor-made solutions that can promote higher yields while conserving resources. Becker Underwood is to become part of BASF and we are excited that together with our new colleagues we can continue expanding our competencies. Particularly in the rapidly-growing seed treatment market, we will be able to develop innovative solutions for agriculture," said Dr. Andreas

The new purchase will help BASF diversify and expand their business into other areas such as biological crop care, animal nutrition and water resource management. There has been an increased demand for crop protection and utilizing biotechnology to develop solutions to disease and pest problems.

"Over the past years, Becker Underwood has established itself as an innovative provider of solutions for agriculture," emphasized Dr. Peter Innes, Chief Executive Officer of Becker Underwood. "Strengthened by the power of BASF's research capabilities as well as its existing portfolio of solutions, we will be able to develop and globally market new types of solutions for growers."

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.