Makhteshim Agan to Acquire DuPont’s Diuron Business

Posted by Matt Hopkins|14 April 2011

The Makhteshim Agan Group (MAI) will acquire DuPont’s global non-mixture diuron business, according to a press release.

Diuron is a urea herbicide used in agricultural and Industrial and Vegetation Management (IVM) applications to control a wide variety of annual and perennial broadleaf and grassy weeds. Diuron’s major markets include sugarcane, fruit, vegetables and cotton, as well as non-crop sectors.

“As a leading off-patent global player we are committed to deliver effective, high quality and reliable solutions to farmers globally and generate profitable growth,” said Dr. Yoav Zeif, MAI’s vice president of global products and marketing in a prepared statement. “We are excited to announce this milestone transaction, another strategic move that we take to expand our product offering and global reach through add-on acquisitions.”

According to the purchase agreement, MAI will receive rights, registrations and supporting regulatory data for all of DuPont’s non-mixture diuron herbicides, including DuPont Direx and Karmex brands. The acquisition will enhance the company’s global product offering and broaden its market reach in North America, Brazil and Asia Pacific regions, according to Makhteshim.

Excluding potential synergies, the acquired products are expected to generate additional annual sales of around $35 million to MAI in the first year, according to the company.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.