BASF and Nissan form partnership to bring new insecticide to Japanese rice growers

BASF and Nissan Chemical Corporation have entered a strategic partnership to develop and commercialize BASF’s new insecticide, Prexio Active, for rice growers in Japan. The collaboration aims to provide farmers with an effective and adaptable solution against major rice pests while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

Prexio Active, whose active ingredient is Fenmezoditiaz (development code: NC-520), offers extended control of key rice pests including rice planthoppers, green rice leafhopper, and chewing insects such as rice water weevil, rice leaf beetle, rice stem borer, and rice skipper. The product was first launched by BASF in India earlier in 2025 and is part of the company’s broader strategy to expand agricultural innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to Harold Bastiaans, Vice President of Global Insecticide Research and Seed Solutions at BASF Agricultural Solutions, the product is “the result of years of targeted research into effective and sustainable pest control.” He noted that Prexio Active helps protect rice while minimizing effects on non-target species when used according to label instructions.

Stephanie Jensen, Vice President for Crop System Rice and Portfolio Solutions Insecticides and Seed Treatment at BASF, said the product provides “great operational flexibility,” allowing Japanese growers to adapt its use across various farming methods—from granular applications in nursery box systems to foliar spraying in transplanted or direct-seeded rice fields.

Yuji Sato, Head of the Agricultural Chemicals Division at Nissan Chemical Corporation, emphasized the local relevance of the partnership. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to supporting sustainable growth of Japanese agriculture with locally relevant innovations,” he said. “Prexio Active provides growers with a new option to manage pest resistance and improve productivity in rice.”

Under the agreement, BASF and Nissan will each develop specific formulations and mixtures containing Prexio Active, tailored to meet the needs of Japan’s rice farming systems.

BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division continues to invest heavily in R&D, with €919 million (about $970 million) allocated in 2024, generating sales of €9.8 billion ($10.3 billion). The company’s global sales totaled €65.3 billion ($68.7 billion) last year.