BASF Gets EPA Approval For New Herbicide

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (AP) — German chemical company BASF SE said Tuesday it has received U.S. approval to begin marketing a new herbicide to battle weeds resistant to a chemical in commonly used herbicides like Roundup.

The Environmental Protection Agency registered the herbicide, called Kixor, for use on crops ranging from corn to nut trees.

BASF will begin marketing four products with Kixor this fall for the 2010 growing season, pending state approval. The company expects sales to reach about $200 million by 2012.

The herbicide is designed to tackle weeds that have developed a resistance to glyphosate, a chemical that Monsanto Co. first patented and used in Roundup.

The technology controls more than 70 broadleaf weeds such as Russian thistle, common lambsquarters and marestail, the company said.

The herbicide is being introduced as St. Louis-based Monsanto is facing stiff competition from generic glyphosate herbicides that began to appear after the patent expired.

A Monsanto spokeswoman declined immediate comment on the Kixor herbicide.

The Kixor herbicide has been approved in Nicaragua for use on peanuts and in Argentina for use on soybeans and corn.

It will be manufactured at the BASF plant in Hannibal, Mo., for worldwide distribution.