1. Agrochem producers slightly impacted by economic downturn    

Some exhibitors to CAC 2009, one of China's major trade show for crop science industry, mainly agrochem producers, complaint about less visitors to the show than the event held in the previous year.

Chinese producers sell active ingredients to international market, and both active ingredients and formulations to domestic market. Active ingredients are "core" products in that quality is everything, and formulation needs more marketing and brand-building efforts.

In China, the crop science industry is dominated by local companies. This is well-proven in the show as most exhibitors with good position and big booth are local Chinese companies.

Read more

2. CNPC's New Refinery Approved

China's National Development and Reform Commission has authorized China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to build a refinery in Guangdong province, southern China, to process crude oil imported from Venezuela, CCR learned on February 25th.

Read more

3. Nanjing Redsun Group Sells 51% Equity in Nanjing Biochemical

Nanjing Redsun Group Co., Ltd. is selling the 51% stake held in Nanjing Biochemical Co., Ltd. for a consideration of roughly RMB369 million via Nanjing Assets and Equity Exchange.

Read more

4. China to Ban Fipronil Insecticide

China will gradually ban the use of fipronil because of concerns about the high harmful effect of fipronil on shellfishes and bees as it degrades slowly in water and soil.

Read more

5. China Pesticide Innovations Bank on Biotech

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) on March 2rd released its annual high-tech development report for 2009, which discusses biotechnology.

The trend for modern pesticide innovation is towards "green", the report said, referring to products with high efficiency and low toxic, low dosage and low residue and easy degradable.

Read more