Germany-based chemicals company BASF is leading the way in innovative agricultural solutions with its latest citrus black spot (CBS) control product, Revycare, which allows agricultural citrus farmers to negate the adverse effects of CBS.

BASF in South and Southern Africa marketing manager William Huynh explains that the Revycare product – which contains Revysol as the active ingredient – is apt for citrus farmers in countries with humid and warm climates, where CBS is a widespread problem, such as parts of Asia, Africa and South America.

“While this product was not developed exclusively for South Africa, it was the first country to secure a registration for the use of Revysol on citrus,” says Huynh, adding that this highlights BASF South Africa’s proactive approach in adopting “cutting- edge agricultural solutions to address critical phytosanitary challenges” to help the successful local industry maintain its competitive edge in international citrus markets.

What makes the Revysol ingredient a significant part of the Revycare product is its “innovative isopropanol-triazole”, which boasts a molecular structure that helps to ensure improved and longer-lasting disease protection in plants, across multiple growth stages, by enhancing “systemic and translaminar movement” within plants, he says.

Revycare offers several advantages over traditional fungicides – for example, the isopropanol component present in Revysol acts as a “hook” that binds to the target enzyme, thereby disrupting fungal growth and ensuring high efficacy and selectivity.

It can be easily applied to crops, owing to its formulation, which does not require additional mixtures, such as Mancozeb, or supplementary oils, to maintain its effectiveness.

Further, the Revycare product’s efficacy can be enhanced by combining it with BASF’s strobilurin product F500, creating a “dual-mode” solution to combat CBS fungus at all stages of development.

Huynh notes that BASF is actively exploring the potential of Revysol in various formulations to address disease control across various crops in the Southern African market.

“This ongoing research highlights the company’s commitment to provide innovative, high-performance solutions tailored to the region’s agricultural needs. By expanding the application of Revysol, farmers across multiple sectors can benefit from improved disease resistance management, enhanced yield protection, and compliance with international quality standards. As regulatory approvals progress, these advancements could offer even greater sustainability and productivity for Southern Africa’s agricultural industry.”

Multisectoral Solutions

BASF’s product solutions extend beyond the agricultural sector to accommodate demand from companies in the automotive and electronics industry, the petrochemicals sector, as well as the mining sector, across African and international markets.

For example, in the petrochemicals sector, the company’s expertise in catalysis and process engineering enables petrochemical stakeholders and organisations to make better-informed decisions and optimise production processes, which can improve their efficiency and sustainability.

Case in point, BASF can help clients identify sustainable feedstock options, including bio-based alternatives and waste- derived materials, to reduce their emissions and lower their carbon footprints.

Additionally, the company recently developed bio-based polyamides – a low-carbon solution made from renewable resources that is “useful” to the South African automotive and electronics sectors, which require high- performance, lightweight materials to ensure their products meet consumer demands and trends.

The bio-based polyamide solution is beneficial as it is an environment-friendly product that has a lower carbon footprint, unlike petroleum-based products, thereby ensuring that companies are aligned and compliant with sustainability and regulatory requirements.

BASF also provides advanced materials and coatings for vehicle manufacturing, including materials for the local manufacture of lightweight plastics, paints and performance chemicals.

“These innovations not only enhance the aesthetic appeal and durability of vehicles but also contribute to fuel efficiency and emissions reduction.”

Moreover, BASF provides chemical solutions that allow mining companies to optimise mineral extraction and processing, including reagents for flotation processes.

Outlook

“Given the current state of the industry, BASF remains optimistic about its outlook in Southern Africa, although it acknowledges the challenges posed by recent geopolitical developments and supply chain issues,” says BASF South Africa commercial director Shollay Ramlaul.

She adds that the demand for sustainable solutions continues to rise, and BASF is well-positioned to meet this demand through its product offerings and commitment to research and development.

“The ongoing global instability may pose challenges in terms of raw material availability and pricing, but our diversified portfolio allows us to adapt and respond effectively. We are also focused on leveraging our technological advancements to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability, which will be crucial in navigating this evolving market landscape,” concludes Ramlaul.