Sumitomo Chemical to merge Valent BioSciences, MGK and Valent North America into new global biorational business

Valent BioSciences, MGK, and Valent North America will merge under a new entity named Sumitomo Biorational Company (SBC), effective April 2026. The company, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Company (SCC), will be headquartered in Libertyville, Illinois, and serve as SCC’s Global Center of Excellence for Biorational Innovation.

The new structure aims to consolidate Sumitomo’s global expertise in developing agricultural and environmental health solutions derived from natural sources such as microbials and botanicals. SBC will focus on research, product development, and talent cultivation to advance regenerative agriculture and sustainable environmental health.

Dr. Shinsuke (Shin) Shojima, who has held senior executive roles across the Sumitomo Chemical Group for over three decades, has been appointed President and CEO of SBC.

“Valent BioSciences has a long and successful history of pioneering biorational technologies,” said Salman Mir, President and CEO of Valent BioSciences. “With SBC, we build on that foundation by creating a Global Center of Excellence that accelerates the next wave of sustainable innovation for customers worldwide.”

The integration brings together several long-established brands within the Sumitomo network. MGK, founded in 1902 and a leader in botanical insect control technologies, sees the merger as an opportunity to speed up innovation. “SBC strengthens our ability to bring innovative botanical solutions to market more quickly,” said Steve Gullickson, President and CEO of MGK.

Valent North America President and CEO Andy Lee added that combining resources would improve service delivery and coordination across global operations.

Through the formation of SBC, Sumitomo Chemical expects to streamline operations, expand R&D capabilities, and accelerate time-to-market for new technologies. The company said the move will enhance its ability to serve customers in agriculture, public health, forestry, pest control, and animal health.

Valent U.S.A. will remain a separate entity, continuing to focus on regional sales and marketing in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The reorganization marks a further step in Sumitomo Chemical’s strategy to strengthen its global position in the biorational products segment, which includes natural and biological alternatives to conventional agrochemicals. The new Center of Excellence is expected to deepen collaboration among Sumitomo’s global subsidiaries and reinforce its leadership in sustainable agricultural innovation.