Company Profile….Certis Europe – crop protection solution provider
Crop protection includes a wide range of techniques from cultural control through to whole management systems. Many factors, not least the crop and the conditions in which it is produced, feature in the choice of methods and products used by farmers and growers to ensure the production of a healthy crop and quality output. The choice has grown to include biological methods such as beneficial insects and pheromones, microbial and physically acting methods, as well as conventional chemicals. Technical experts increasingly recommend an Integrated Crop Management (ICM) approach where control of pests is considered alongside water, soil and environmental management, within the context of the health and yield of the whole crop production cycle.
Field trials visit for the Certis Europe development team
Since its launch in 2001, Certis Europe has been at the forefront of developing integrated systems of pest control using the most appropriate tools available. The company has focused on providing effective solutions to farmers and growers that meet their needs in responding to their customers’ demands In that time, the scope of the business has extended beyond its initial focus of high value speciality crops (such as fruit, vegetables and ornamentals), to include arable and seed treatments, and Certis has positioned itself as an alternative to the large multinational providers in selected crops.
Beneficial insect production – Certis staff in the greenhouse
With the support of parent company, Mitsui & Co. and other shareholders, Chemtura AgroSolutions, Nippon Soda and Kumiai, Certis has grown from fewer than 50 employees with a turnover of around €50m in 2001, to today’s business with over 200 employees and a turnover approaching €150m. It has business units operating in Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and UK, which also market the range of beneficial insects produced by BCP Certis, and has sister companies in Germany (Spiess Urania), and the USA (Certis USA).
Tjaart Hofman – Certis Technical support manager
With highly skilled technical teams and national sales and marketing teams, products are marketed across the territory and beyond. Regulatory experts, working at national and European level, handle EU registration activities and also prepare, coordinate and manage product registrations in partnership with suppliers.
The crop cycle
To establish a healthy crop, it is vital to start the production cycle with “clean” soil and good growing conditions. Certis has developed CleanStart™, a portfolio of tools and solutions for integrated soil management. These offer efficacy and sustainability by combining and alternating chemicals with different modes of action. Starting with diagnostic tools, technical experts advise on a customised programme that will maintain soil biological balance and health for longer, while ensuring environmental and human safety, using the CleanStart stewardship programme.
Field visit – eggplant production
Products within the CleanStart portfolio include DD and Basamid, the biological fungicide Tusal (Trichoderma) and insecticide Botanigard.
Amblyseius swirskii in IPM programme
Within any ICM system, crop monitoring is required to assess when intervention is necessary to preserve the health of the crop. Cultural and management techniques are also used to prevent pest infestations. Known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), this approach is at the heart of Certis’ work in high value crops. The company is a leader in the field of soft technology and low residue programmes.
Soft technology encompasses products derived from naturally-occurring substances or organisms, as distinct from synthetic chemicals. Products included in this description would include Bt- and virus-based insecticides, pheromones and also copper and ferric phosphate-based products (as they are both naturally occurring compounds). Certis is also a producer of beneficial insects used to control a range of pest species in protected crops.
The use of IPM has expanded dramatically in recent years as pressures have increased on growers to reduce pesticide residues in their crop outputs. In the quest to maintain pests and diseases below acceptable levels in peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers, Certis has developed control programmes using soft chemistry, biological and conventional chemical products.
For example, the programme shown in the table is an example of the ‘Zero Residue’ approach, created for and implemented with several major grower cooperatives in Spain.
Cidetrak pheromone dispenser
Certis has developed similar programmes for low- or no-residue controls in peppers, tomatoes, strawberries and other vegetable crops. IPM tends to be further developed in crops grown under plastic or glass but soft chemicals and pheromones are also being introduced more and more in top fruit and arable crops.
For example Cidetrak, a mating disruption product from Trece Inc, for the control of codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and oriental fruit moth (Cydia molesta), has recently been introduced in pome and stone fruits. Pheromones released by the dispensers placed in trees attract and confuse the male moths, so that they do not mate with the females; a purely preventative and environmentally friendly solution to a major problem. Similar techniques are being developed in citrus and vines.
Developments in vines
Early protection can come from the use of seed already treated with an antimicrobial agent or fungicide prior to planting, which is particularly common for arable crops such as cereals. While the treatment used is likely to be a chemical, this can be a more environmentally-friendly way of using pesticides, as the amount required to be effective is very small. Handling of the product in this form is safer for both the environment and the user. Certis is well established in the French seed treatment sector through its distribution of the Chemtura AgroSolutions range of products for the last 12 years. As part of its long-term strategy, the company has recently strengthened its position in this sector by extending distribution of the Chemtura seed treatment range to Italy, UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. Alongside this, and also in support of its strategy in this sector, Certis has invested in a seed treatment formulation and trials facility in France, with the aim of developing and bringing new products to the market.
Treated seed
Environmental considerations are particularly important in the EU, where regulation has tightened up in recent years – with numerous product withdrawals as a result. In the molluscicide market, growers have been called upon to minimise environmental impact by careful stewardship of product use. A new molluscicide product based on the active ingredient, ferric phosphate, distributed by Certis in France, Belgium and UK, will help them to do so. This product has lower risks to the environment and non-target species than the older alternatives, metaldehyde and methiocarb, and offers an additional option for use as part of a programmed approach.
For the final stage of the crop production cycle in one of its high value crop interests, potatoes, Certis offers a range of crop storage treatments, to prevent sprouting of the potatoes. Products in this range include GroStop (CIPC), used post-harvest, and pre- harvest treatments of Fazor (maleic hydrazide). The company is also expecting to introduce a new product in this sector, based on a naturally-occurring compound, in the near future.
Early strength in the sector
Sluxx – part of a programmed approach for slug control
The development of new and alternative techniques and products in the market over the years has inevitably attracted the interest of major agrochemical manufacturers. All are called upon to respond to pressures from consumers and the value chain to reduce the use of chemicals and improve the environmental footprint and sustainability of the agricultural industry and several are now building their own business in this market, often by acquisition.
Certis Europe has built on its early strength in the sector and has grown both its product portfolio and its expertise so that is now regarded as a credible alternative to the larger multi-nationals by both distributors and suppliers.
For more information, please contact: Kevin Price, Corporate Marketing Manager, Certis Europe Tel: +32 2 331 3894, price@certiseurope.co.uk
Published in International Pest Control – March/April 2014 issue
Category: Agriculture, Company news, Company Profile
