Bayer has submitted registration applications for its novel herbicide, icafolin-methyl, in four major markets: Brazil, the US, Canada, and the EU.
Bayer has taken a significant leap forward in agricultural innovation, announcing the submission of registration applications for its pioneering herbicide, icafolin-methyl, in the European Union. This latest milestone follows earlier applications in Brazil, the United States, and Canada. With an estimated peak sales potential of around €750 million, icafolin-methyl is expected to hit the market from 2028, with Brazil earmarked for the initial launch. The company credits its new operating model, DSO, for accelerating these crucial regulatory submissions ahead of schedule.
Icafolin-methyl stands out as agriculture's first novel mode of action for controlling emerged weeds in over three decades. This breakthrough is particularly critical given the escalating global challenge of weed resistance, which poses a significant threat to food security by diminishing crop yields and harvest quality. Unlike existing solutions, icafolin-methyl belongs to an entirely new chemical class, offering unique properties that facilitate lower dose rates and more targeted applications. This innovation not only complements current herbicides like glyphosate but also provides a vital new tool in the ongoing battle against increasingly resilient weeds.
The intrinsic properties of icafolin-methyl contribute to an exceptional safety and sustainability profile, allowing Bayer to submit registration applications under a reduced risk status. One of its most remarkable characteristics is its ability to "freeze" treated weeds in the field. While these weeds cease to compete with crops for essential resources like water, nutrients, and sunlight, their physical structure largely remains intact. This creates a beneficial mulch layer on the soil surface, which helps prevent erosion and retain moisture – key aspects of regenerative agriculture. By providing highly effective weed control, icafolin-methyl significantly reduces the need for disruptive tillage practices.
Mike Graham, Head of Research & Development for Bayer’s Crop Science division, emphasized the critical importance of such innovations: “Weeds threaten food security and farmer livelihoods, which is why investing in game-changing innovations like Icafolin is so vitally important. Access to an entirely new herbicide class that complements the existing toolbox not only helps farmers combat and prevent weed resistance, but it also helps farmers adopt and maintain no-till and reduced tillage practices that improve soil health, which is a cornerstone of regenerative agriculture.”
Icafolin-methyl has been developed for a broad spectrum of initial uses, including key broadacre crops such as soybean, cereals, pulses, and oilseed crops, as well as specialty crops like pome and stone fruits, tree nuts, grapes, and citrus.
