Kemira Agro Oy has established a new company, Verdera Oy, for its operations in biological pesticides. Verdera develops, produces, and markets biological pesticides, and it employs 16 people. All shares in the new company are currently held by Kemira Agro Oy, but also new business partners will be sought for the company.
Kemira Agro will incorporate its operations in biological pesticides in order to create a stronger base for developing biological pest control. At the same time, Kemira Agro will sharpen its focus on offering solutions for cultivation in agriculture, forestry, and horticulture.
In addition to know-how in production and marketing, Verdera's strengths include strong ties to research institutions and to the faculties of agriculture and forestry at universities, as well as over twenty years of experience in biological pest control. At the same time as the markets for biological pesticides are growing, the relatively small units in the field will merge to form larger entities. The underlying reason for this development is the aim to expand the range of economic possibilities and improve profitability, as well as the aim to enhance the know-how in the sector and increase the efficiency of production and marketing.
Verdera's goal is to expand its operations both in the domestic and in the international market. The company plans to launch new biological products and improve its customer service.
All of Verdera's products are based on naturally occurring microbes. Verdera's current product range includes biological products for the needs of both forestry and horticulture. Biological stump treatment agent Rotstop is used in the biological control of root and butt rot in coniferous forests, which are caused by Heterobasidion annosum. The horticultural products Mycostop and Prestop Mix are biological fungicides for the control of fungal root diseases in the growth substrates of ornamentals, herbs, and vegetables. Beneficial microbial preparation GlioMix is used in the seedling production of horticultural plants.