Sumitomo combines agricultural chemicals, biorational businesses to respond faster to crop protection market needs

Sumitomo Chemical said Thursday it has begun combining the business operations of its agricultural chemicals and biorational units to enable the company to respond faster to market needs worldwide.

Before the change, Sumitomo Chemical oversaw the agricultural chemicals business of Sumitomo Chemical Group's global crop protection unit and  Valent BioSciences Corp was responsible for the group's biorational business in the United States. The April 1 move integrates Sumitomo Chemical and Valent BioSciences operations. 

“We believe that these functional consolidations will enable Sumitomo Chemical to respond to market needs more swiftly and properly in both the businesses through working directly with its affiliated companies around the world," the company said.

As part of the integration, Sumitomo will create a Biorational Business Unit with responsibility for setting business goals and research, manufacturing and supply chain management. The unit will also expand its business beyond agriculture to include public health and forestry. It will also take over from Valent post-harvest and mycorrhizal fungi operations.