Arable farmers and agronomists will see a new name in the crop protection industry this year as global agrochemical giant Rotam makes its debut in Europe and the UK.

Set to compete against familiar names like Bayer, Sygenta and Dupont, the massive Canadian/Chinese corporation - whose divisions range from retail supermarkets to pharmaceuticals and crop protection products - will begin operating in Britain this autumn.

Rotam has invested several years and more than €10m in securing regulatory acceptance to operate in the EU.

Adding value

The firm's in-house laboratories specialise in developing off-patent products to add value to existing crop protection chemistry, UK regional manager Graham Dickinson said.

Much of Rotam's agrochemical production was carried out in Latin America, China and India, producing chemicals like triazoles and pyrethroids.

Mr Dickinson said Rotam's low-packaging products would mean lower waste disposal costs for farm businesses. "We're another independent source for the UK arable industry and we expect to begin selling this autumn."

Mr Dickinson said the company was committed to doing business in Europe and saw great potential for agriculture, particularly in eastern Europe. Rotam Group comprises more than 40 companies operating in 54 countries worldwide.