Syngenta will cease global production of the herbicide paraquat by the end of June 2026, ending manufacturing of the active ingredient at its Huddersfield facility in northern England, the company’s sole production site for the product.
The decision followed an asset review and reflects sustained pressure from generic manufacturers, which has reduced the commercial viability of producing paraquat in-house.
A program has been launched to phase out production at Huddersfield. A small multi-product unit at the site will also close. The company did not disclose how many jobs could be affected or the expected financial impact.
Paraquat, introduced more than 60 years ago by a predecessor company, is used to control weeds and is associated with conservation practices such as no-till farming. The product is now widely available as a generic and is registered for sale by more than 750 companies globally, according to Syngenta. The company sells paraquat in a limited number of markets, and it accounts for less than 1% of its global sales.
Paraquat has also been the subject of extensive litigation in the United States. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed by plaintiffs alleging that exposure to the herbicide contributed to the development of Parkinson’s disease. Syngenta has said the scientific evidence linking paraquat to the condition is inconclusive and maintains that the product is safe when used in accordance with approved label instructions.
The U.K. remains a strategic location for Syngenta. The company employs more than 2,000 people across six sites in the country, primarily in research and development, manufacturing, and supply operations.
The Huddersfield site recently completed a £50 million ($63 million) investment to produce the company’s PLINAZOLIN crop protection technology, part of its newer portfolio. Syngenta will continue to assess further investment opportunities there aimed at manufacturing advanced crop protection products.
Syngenta will work with employees, customers and partners in affected markets to manage the transition. The company reiterated that paraquat is safe when used in accordance with approved label instructions.
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