CIC developing a new herbicide formulation with SLINTEC for the company’s Crop Solutions Division
View(s):CIC Holdings PLC recently signed a research agreement with the Sri Lankan Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), to develop a novel herbicide formulation for CIC’s Crop Solutions Division. This initiative is one of the very first attempt in the industry to locally synthesize and formulate a herbicide in Sri Lanka, the company said in a media release. SLINTEC is a public-private partnership between the Government of Sri Lanka and major players in the private sector namely MAS Holdings, Brandix, Dialog, Hayleys, Loadstar and Lankem. SLINTEC is committed to assisting local industries in their efforts to develop and improve products for local and international markets, by using nanotechnology and other advanced technology solutions. Synthetic Chemistry is the latest programme that was added to the strategic research portfolio of SLINTEC, and this new herbicide formulation is the first commercial initiative in this particular category, the release said.
CIC Holdings is one of the country’s leading conglomerates with a diversified industry portfolio that includes businesses in areas such as healthcare and consumer products. Commenting on the agreement Samantha Ranatunga, Managing Director/CEO CIC Holdings PLC, said, “We are immensely pleased to embark on this new research initiative with SLINTEC, one of the foremost scientific research entities in the country. CIC’s Crop Solutions Division plays a pivotal role in spearheading the country’s agriculture industry and aids yield maximization and also reduces the loss of harvest due to weeds, pests and diseases. By embarking on this research project to develop a state-of-the-art herbicide formulation, CIC is once again stepping forward as a pioneer in the agriculture industry, and is taking the necessary measures to help the local industry develop and align itself with the highest global standards and latest trends.”
CIC Crop Solutions has a range of solutions that cater to the management of weeds, insects, and diseases (ranging from organic and bio pesticides to synthetic chemicals), and also includes plant stimulants and liquid fertilizers. CIC Crop Solutions also supplies products to cater to specific pests and pathogens.