FEATURE
New developments in
Chinese agrochemical R&D
No longer just manufacturers of generic pesticides, Chinese
agrochemical companies and research institutes are increasingly
developing their own active ingredients, says Rob Bryant
A
lthough China has become a major
force in the manufacture of pesticide
active ingredients (ais) and formulated
agrochemicals over the past 10–15
years, its role in the development of novel
agrochemicals is more recent and possibly less
well-known. Since 2002, a steady flow of new
Figure 1: Number of new pesticide ais development in China (2000 – 07)
developmental compounds has emerged from the
major Chinese research institutes, universities and
9
Figure 1: Number of new pesticide ais development in China (2000 – 07)
chemical factories, which are actively involved in
basic research (see Figure 1 and Table 1).
9
8
8
7
The majority of the research institutes are
7
6
owned and administered by China’s central and
provincial governments. In order to undertake
6
5
original research, they receive funding through
5
4
the state’s regular five-year plans. However,
4
3
some institutes have also set up pesticide
manufacturing companies, many of which have
3
2
become considerable businesses. There are three
2
1
outstanding research institutes of this type: HRICI
1
0
(Hunan Province), SYRICI (Liaoning Province)
pre- 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 and ZCIRI (Zhejiang Province), which have been
0 2000
responsible for introducing more than half of the
pre-
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new developmental compounds identified by the
UK agrochemical publisher Agranova.
Figure 2: Examples of interesting developmental compounds
• HRICI (Hunan Research Institute of Chemical
Figure 2: Examples of interesting developmental compounds
Industry) has set up Hunan Haili Chemical
Industry, which produces a range of generic ais
and formulations.
• SYRICI (Shen Yang Research Institute of Chemical
Industry) also carries out research into dyestuffs
and fine chemicals. Its agrochemical researchers
have collaborated with several multinationals,
including Dow, FMC and Rohm & Haas. As well
as selling a range of generic agrochemicals,
SYRICI has launched four successful commercial
pesticide products that it developed internally.
In 2007, it was announced that SYRICI will be
merged with another state-owned company,
Sinochem, which is China’s biggest petroleum
and chemical company. SYRICI also produces
and sells optical brighteners through its Cenkey
Chemical subsidiary.
• ZCIRI (Zhejiang Chemical Industry Research
Institute) became Zhejiang Chem-Tech Group Co
Ltd in 1999. As well as playing a leading role
in China’s agrochemical research in a number
www.agrow.com  •   October 2007 
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