Corteva and FMC Corporation have reached a major agreement to expand access to a next-generation herbicide technology that both companies say could help farmers better combat some of the most troublesome herbicide-resistant weeds threatening corn and soybean production across the Americas.
The strategic supply and licensing agreement will allow Indianapolis-based Corteva and Philadelphia-based FMC to develop and market their own herbicide products built around FMC’s proprietary rimisoxafen technology. The companies said the collaboration is designed to accelerate availability of the new chemistry to growers in North and South America.
The agreement comes as farmers continue to battle increasingly resistant weed populations that can significantly reduce crop yields and increase production costs. Among the most challenging are Palmer amaranth and waterhemp, two aggressive pigweed species that have developed resistance to multiple herbicide classes and have become major concerns across much of the Corn Belt.
Company officials describe rimisoxafen as one of the most significant herbicide innovations introduced in decades. The technology was recently classified by the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee as the industry’s first herbicide featuring a dual mode of action, a characteristic that researchers say may slow the development of weed resistance compared to products relying on a single mode of action.
“This agreement ensures that more growers across the Americas will have access to rimisoxafen, one of the most innovative herbicide technologies developed in decades,” said Leonardo Bastos, FMC’s vice president and chief marketing officer.
Under the terms of the deal, FMC will retain ownership of the technology and supply Corteva with the active ingredient. Both companies will independently develop and commercialize proprietary premixed herbicide formulations for use in corn and soybean production throughout North and South America.
As part of the agreement, Corteva will make an initial $200 million prepayment for future product supplies from FMC. Financial details beyond that arrangement were not disclosed.
Cynthia Ericson, Corteva’s vice president for the weed control segment, said the partnership will strengthen the company’s crop protection portfolio while helping growers address mounting weed-control challenges.
“By collaborating with FMC on rimisoxafen, we are expanding our ability to provide growers with advanced weed control tools that complement our portfolio,” Ericson said.
The companies indicated that commercial sales are expected before the end of the decade, subject to regulatory approvals.
Weed resistance remains one of the most significant agronomic challenges facing corn and soybean producers. Industry estimates suggest resistant weeds cost farmers billions of dollars annually through reduced yields, increased herbicide applications and higher production expenses.
The agreement also reflects a growing trend of collaboration among major agricultural technology companies as the cost and complexity of developing new crop protection products continue to rise. New herbicide active ingredients can require years of research, testing and regulatory review before reaching the marketplace.
While Corteva and FMC will jointly expand access to rimisoxafen in major row-crop markets, FMC said it will continue developing additional products based on the technology for other crops and regions around the world.
Company officials said the partnership is intended to accelerate adoption of the technology and provide growers with another tool in the ongoing effort to manage herbicide resistance and protect crop productivity.
