Dear Reader,
In this edition, we present two new agricultural products that were launched at the BCPC Exhibition in Glasgow, Scotland, and provide you with the highlights of the CIPADA Congress in Venezuela where we were participants towards the end of this year.
In addition, there is an update on oxo-biogradable mulch films with latest news in the market and the introduction of two agriculture team members, Rayyan and Aakash who support our customers in Middle East and India.
The agro team at Ciba send you their best wishes for a prosperous New Year!
Ciba® ALCOSORB® PEARL Water retaining polymer
 | ALCOSORB® PEARL is new Ciba product which was launched at the BCPC Exhibition in October. ALCOSORB® PEARL is a synthetic cross linked polymer that can absorb and release moisture over an extended period. When added to soil media, it provides a water reserve for plants, stored in hydrated pearl granules. |
The launch showed a lot of interest. The main reason being ALCOSORB® PEARL is unique in that it is a uniform spherical shape which is totally different from the traditional irregular 'chip' formulations that have been on the market for decades. For more information |
Ciba® COMPANION® Co-formulants for glyphosate
 | Ciba is active in developing polymeric products to be used with or in agrochemical formulations and a new range of co-formulants for glyphosate were launched at the BCPC Exhibition: |
- COMPANION® PCT 14 and PCT 16 are designed to replace the standard tallow amine ethoxylate found in standard glyphosate formulations and is a co-formulant.
- COMPANION® PCT 15 although designed to replace tallow amine ethoxylate in standard glyphosate formulations, needs to be used with AMS based polymeric adjuvants to obtain optimum results.
For more information
Exitoso encuentro de la comunidad iberoamericana de la agroplasticultura y la protección ambiental resultó el IX Congreso del CIDAPA – VENEZUELA 2007
 | Delegados de un total de 22 países de Ibero América e invitados de Estados Unidos, Canadá e Italia se dieron cita en el IX Congreso Iberoamericano de Agroplasticultura y Protección Ambiental CIDAPA – VENEZUELA 2007, del 24 al 26 de septiembre en el Hotel Alba Caracas, en la capital de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Este evento fue patrocinado por la Corporación Petroquímica de Venezuela (Pequiven) y sus empresas mixtas y filiales Polinter, Propilven y Coramer, además de empresas del sector transformador de los plásticos como Ciba.. Read more |
Oxo-bio news:
A contribution to reduce the water needed for irrigation
 | Agricultural production is very sensitive to climate change. Its consequences - the reduction of rainfall and the increasing temperatures - are leading to water stress in Southern Europe. This has a direct negative impact on the economy of growers because of the price they have to pay for water and the results of water stress in the plant such as diseases, quality decrease of crops and declined yield. |
The use of oxo-biodegradable film to mulch the crops is a smart environmentally friendly solution not only to reduce the amount of water needed to irrigate but also the expenses of growers.
Read more
News from the industry:
LPDE can now be based on renewable resources - Braskem confirms investment to produce 200 000 ton/year of green polyethylene
Braskem, the Brazilian petrochemical company that leads the thermoplastic resins market in Latin America, confirmed their project for the implantation of a new production plant for polyethylene made from sugar cane ethanol, to enter into operations at the end of 2009 and with a capacity of 200 000 tons per annum. Braskem will be the first company to produce a globally certified polyethylene made 100% from renewable raw materials.
Read full article from Braskem website: www.braskem.com/sala_de_imprensa_detalhes_6950.aspx
- Dow and Crystalsev Announce Plans to Make Polyethylene from Sugar Cane in Brazil
Renewable Resource Used in Production Process Will Significantly Reduce Carbon Footprint
The Dow Chemical Company, the world's largest producer of polyethylene, and Crystalsev, one of Brazil's largest ethanol players have announced plans for a world-scale facility to manufacture polyethylene from sugar cane.
Read full article from Dow website: http://news.dow.com/2007/20070719a.htm
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 | Rayyan Hashem
Sales and Account Manager
Middle East
Rayyan studied chemistry at the American University in Beirut. | |  | Aakash Kotwani
Business Development Manager
India
Aakash is an Agriculture graduate with specialization in Entomology and an MBA in Marketing. |
He joined Ciba in 1998, and has been working closely with the plastic converting industry in the Middle East for the last nine years. Rayyan has been using Ciba's global expertise and know-how in the agrifilm market together with our local market presence and innovation to tailor our offering to the requirements of the local markets. In this way Ciba's agrifilm solutions are appreciated through the value chain of the industry and are creating benefits for you, our customers, and for your customers, and so provide sustainable growth for all. | | Aakash joined Ciba in February 2005 after spending four years in the seeds business. He is a member of our Agriculture team in the India Region. In his current role Aakash supports the agriculture customers of India, Bangladesh and Nepal for micronutrient chelates and new product introductions. |
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