BASF Begins Global Registration of Replexor Active Herbicide

BASF Agricultural Solutions has initiated the global regulatory registration process for Replexor™ Active (fendioxypyracil), a next-generation herbicide active ingredient from its protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) innovation pipeline. The new active ingredient is designed to provide broad-spectrum control of both broadleaf weeds and annual grasses, addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing modern agriculture—herbicide-resistant weeds. At peak commercial adoption, Replexor Active is expected to support weed management across more than 50 million hectares of farmland worldwide.

The company has submitted its first regulatory dossiers in Brazil and Australia during July 2026. Additional submissions are planned for the United States and Argentina in 2027. Subject to regulatory approvals, BASF aims to introduce Replexor Active commercially around 2030.

Farmers cultivating key crops such as soybean, corn, and cotton continue to face mounting challenges from herbicide-resistant weeds. Simultaneously, increasingly stringent regulatory requirements have reduced the availability of several conventional herbicide active ingredients, limiting effective weed control options. Against this backdrop, PPO herbicides have remained an essential component of resistance management programs for more than five decades.

Replexor Active expands BASF's existing PPO herbicide portfolio, which already includes Kixor® Active and Tirexor® Active. Unlike many currently available PPO herbicides that primarily target broadleaf weeds, the new active ingredient is also highly effective against major annual grass weeds, including Eleusine indica, Echinochloa species, and Setaria species. Since resistance among grass weeds to PPO herbicides remains relatively uncommon, Replexor Active offers growers an additional tool to manage resistant weed populations more effectively.

Maximilian Becker, Member of the Management Board of BASF Agricultural Solutions responsible for Business, stated that the new herbicide addresses an important gap in PPO-based weed management. He noted that farmers have had limited access to innovative solutions for resistant grass weeds in recent years, and Replexor Active integrates well into existing resistance management programs built around BASF's PPO portfolio.

Beyond its broad-spectrum efficacy, Replexor Active offers several operational advantages. The herbicide delivers rapid weed control while supporting no-till farming, an agricultural practice that helps reduce soil erosion and preserve soil health. It is also effective at relatively low application rates, simplifying handling and reducing the amount of active ingredient required per hectare.

Melanie Bausen-Wiens, Member of the Management Board responsible for Technology, said the registration milestone reflects BASF's continued investment in agricultural innovation. She added that the company is also developing PPO herbicide-tolerant crop traits, which are expected to provide growers with greater flexibility in the timing and application of Replexor Active, further strengthening integrated weed management strategies.

Impact on ChemAnalyst Chemical Commodity Prices

The registration of Replexor™ Active is unlikely to have any immediate impact on chemical commodity prices tracked by ChemAnalyst because commercial launches are targeted around 2030, subject to regulatory approvals. In the near term, demand for upstream chemical intermediates and agrochemical raw materials is expected to remain largely unchanged. Over the longer term, successful commercialization could modestly increase demand for specialty agrochemical intermediates and formulation chemicals used in herbicide production. However, prices of key chemical commodities tracked by ChemAnalyst are expected to remain broadly stable, as the registration phase alone does not significantly influence current production, supply chains, or raw material consumption.