Syngenta expands its biologicals business acquiring Intrinsyx Bio

Syngenta is scaling up its biologicals business with a series of strategic moves designed to position the company as the global leader in nature-derived crop inputs. The expansion includes new product development, acquisitions, and manufacturing investments, reflecting growing demand for sustainable alternatives in agriculture.

The global agricultural biologicals market—encompassing biocontrols, biostimulants, and nutrient-use efficiency (NUE) products—is expected to surpass USD 20 billion by 2030, according to AgbioInvestor and Syngenta estimates. The segment is growing at approximately 10% annually, as farmers seek tools to enhance productivity while aligning with environmental standards and regenerative practices.

“Our scientific expertise is at the forefront of our research and development efforts to provide farmers with the next generation of biologicals,” said Jonathan Brown, Global Head of Biologicals & Seedcare at Syngenta. “These solutions support the transition to more sustainable farming, such as regenerative agriculture.”

Recent developments include the integration of Intrinsyx Bio, a California-based start-up focused on NUE technologies, and the acquisition of the Strains and Natural Products Collection from Novartis, expanding Syngenta’s access to naturally derived compounds. Together, these assets are expected to accelerate the company’s R&D pipeline.

In early 2025, Syngenta also inaugurated a new 22,000 m² biologicals manufacturing facility in Orangeburg, South Carolina, designed to produce up to 16,000 tons of biostimulants annually. This adds to the company’s global production network, which includes sites in Brazil, Italy, India, and Norway.

Several candidates in Syngenta’s development pipeline are forecast to achieve annual sales exceeding USD 100 million. The company reported strong biologicals performance in Q1 2025, particularly in North America and China.

Syngenta’s biologicals are grouped into three key categories:

• Biocontrols: Natural products for pest, weed, and disease management
• Biostimulants: Products enhancing plant resilience and quality
• Nutrient Use Efficiency: Solutions improving nutrient uptake and yield

The company continues to expand its global biologicals R&D from centers of excellence in Switzerland, the UK, and Italy, aligning with its broader Sustainability Priorities.