Philagro France

What Philagro France does

Philagro France is a French Société par Actions Simplifiée founded in 1993 and headquartered in Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d'Or near Lyon, specializing in the design, development, and commercialization of crop protection and biostimulation solutions for professional agriculture. The company operates as the European commercialization arm of three Japanese agrochemical groups — Sumitomo Chemical Company, Nissan Chemical Corporation, and Nihon Nohyaku Corporation — which collectively hold ownership and supply the active substance pipeline, with Sumitomo Chemical formally integrating Philagro in 2026. Its portfolio spans biocontrol products (Bacillus thuringiensis-based insecticides DIPEL DF and XENTARI, growth regulators such as MAXCEL, PROMALIN, RyzUp, and BERELEX, and the SUMITRAP Mediterranean fruit fly trap), conventional chemistry (esfenvalerate-based insecticides under the GOLD range, PLEDGE/RAMI flumioxazine herbicides, SOLEIL/DJEMBE/SAKURA fungicides, and INTUITY PRO mandestrobine), and plant treatments (RIALTO and IOTA P flutolanil, DOLBI defoliation pack). The Biowin program integrates biocontrol and conventional chemistry with documented CEPP benefits to French distributors.

The company's go-to-market is sales-led through authorized agricultural distribution professionals (coop/négoce channel) under Ministry of Agriculture approvals RH00902 and RH02089, with no direct-to-farmer e-commerce and pricing not publicly disclosed. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales across viticulture, arboriculture, cereals, potato production, and oilseed verticals, supported by a dedicated R&D infrastructure: the Centre d'Evaluation Biologique (CEB) near Orléans, operating since 1997 across nearly 20 hectares with 180 agronomic field trials, 10,000 micro-plots, 250 monitoring analyses on 5,000+ pathogen strains, and 6,000 experimental samples shipped across Europe annually. R&D activity is augmented by direct cooperation with the Japanese parent research teams. Quantified outcomes include a 37% market share in the French flutolanil plant treatment category in 2022, demonstrated yield gains of up to +4T/ha in potato trials, and 80,000+ trapping kits distributed to distributors and farmers over 8 years. Customer concentration is structurally low due to the fragmented French farming base, and the primary growth levers are new product introductions, climate-driven pest range expansion, and the 2026 Sumitomo Chemical integration enabling deeper capital deployment.

Name

Philagro France

Legal name

PHILAGRO France

Website

https://philagro.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Philagro France designs, develops, and commercializes crop protection and biostimulation solutions (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, biocontrol products, growth regulators) for French professional agriculture, operating as a distribution subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical, Nissan Chemical, and Nihon Nohyaku through authorized agricultural distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Crop Protection Products

NAICS

Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (32532), Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (325320)

SIC

Agricultural Chemicals (2870), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Crop Protection Chemicals (Herbicides/Insecticides/Fungicides) (IMAEAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

OMRI-Listed Crop Protection (Botanical & Mineral Pesticides) (AFABAKAA), Microbial Biofungicides (AFABAEAB), Soil Health Activators & Biostimulants (Humates, Amino Acids, Seaweed Extracts) (AFABAKAJ)

Keywords

• Crop protection products
• Biocontrol solutions
• Agricultural herbicides
• Agricultural fungicides
• Agricultural insecticides

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-didier-au-mont-d'or

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Crop Protection Product Sales: Philagro France designs, develops, and commercializes crop protection solutions compatible with economic and environmental needs of society. Revenue is generated through the sale of phytopharmaceutical products (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, biocontrol products, growth regulators) to professional agricultural users via authorized distribution networks.
2. Biowin Program Solutions: Integrated programs combining biocontrol and conventional chemistry products, offering CEPP (Certificats d'Economie de Produits Phytopharmaceutiques) credits to distributors.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Philagro France designs, develops, and commercializes crop protection and biostimulation solutions (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, biocontrol products, and plant growth regulators) for professional agriculture in France. The company sources active substances from its three Japanese shareholders (Sumitomo Chemical, Nissan Chemical, and Nihon Nohyaku) and conducts European-specific R&D at its Centre d'Evaluation Biologique near Orléans. Products reach farmers through authorized agricultural distribution professionals under Ministry of Agriculture approval (RH00902), with the Biowin program integrating biocontrol and conventional chemistry solutions.

Product overview

Philagro France is an agricultural crop protection company that designs, develops, and commercializes solutions compatible with economic and environmental needs of agriculture. The product portfolio consists of biocontrol products (Bacillus thuringiensis-based insecticides, growth regulators), conventional chemical products (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides), and plant treatment solutions. Key product lines include DIPEL DF and XENTARI (Bt-based biocontrol insecticides), PLEDGE/RAMI (flumioxazine herbicides for vineyards), SORCIER/GUERRIER and DOLBI (desiccation products for potato crops), RIALTO/IOTA P (flutolanil plant treatments), INTUITY PRO (mandestrobine fungicide for stone fruits), and esfenvalerate-based insecticides under GOLD range names (TATAMI GOLD, MANDARIN GOLD, COUNTRY GOLD, TOLEDE GOLD, JUDOKA GOLD). Growth regulators include MAXCEL, PROLIANT, PROMALIN, REGULEX, RyzUp, and BERELEX for various crops. The company operates under the Biowin concept combining biocontrol and conventional chemistry solutions. Products are primarily distributed in France through agricultural professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BIOWIN: A combination of biocontrol and conventional chemistry solutions for crop protection, developed under the philosophy of Sumitomo Chemical.
• Phil'Innov

Products and services

• DIPEL DF Biocontrol insecticide containing Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki strain ABTS-351, producing stable Cry toxin crystals that cause rapid paralysis of lepidopteran caterpillar intestines upon ingestion. Effective against pierids, tortricids, and noctuids including grape berry moths. WG formulation with high stability, easy suspension, and excellent plant coverage. Authorized for organic and conventional agriculture with a 3-day pre-harvest interval. Registered trademark of Valent BioSciences LLC, USA.
• XENTARI Biocontrol insecticide containing Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. aizawai strain ABTS-1857, effective against caterpillars (pierids, tortricids, and noctuids) through ingestion. Used on maize, soybeans, chickpeas, fruits, vegetables, and vineyards. Registered trademark.
• BACIVERS DF Biocontrol insecticide product. Registered trademark.
• BERELEX 40SG Biocontrol growth regulator that improves quality of harvests and harvested fruits including bananas. Elongates clusters and reduces their compactness, reducing botrytis attacks. Registered trademark.
• MAXCEL Selective biocontrol growth regulator for apple and pear trees composed of 6-benzyladenine (6-BA). Used for thinning, improving fruit caliber, and promoting return to flowering. High-quality formulation of 6-BA available on the market. Registered trademark.
• PROLIANT Biocontrol growth regulator for maize, used for grain, fodder, popcorn, and seed production. Registered trademark.
• PROMALIN Biocontrol growth regulator that affects apple roughness. Registered trademark.
• REGULEX 10SG Biocontrol growth regulator for quality of apples and pears. Registered trademark.
• RyzUp Biocontrol growth regulator composed of gibberellic acid GA3, derived from natural fermentation of the fungus Gibberella fujikori. Maximizes green life duration and post-harvest quality of bananas, applied directly on crown by brush or spray. Also used on cherries, citrus, cucumbers, and vines for growth and flowering processes. Registered trademark.
• PLEDGE (also marketed as RAMI) Pre-emergence herbicide based on flumioxazine (HRAC E), forming a film on soil surface preventing weed emergence. Wide spectrum effective on both dicotyledons and grasses including difficult species like ray-grass and erigeron, with 5-6 month persistence. Usable from autumn through pre-budburst on vines, pome fruits, and orchards. Effective on frozen, dry, or wet soils. Also marketed as RAMI for vineyards and pome fruits. Registered trademarks.
• SORCIER (also marketed as GUERRIER) Contact herbicide/desiccant containing 26.5 g/l pyraflufene-ethyl. Provides rapid action for desiccation and destruction of leaves and stems. Used for suckering (épamprage) and weed control in vineyards targeting dicotyledons, and as part of the Dolbi pack for potato defoliation. Registered trademarks.
• DOLBI Physical defoliation pack combining 5L Sorcier (pyraflufen-ethyl 26.5 g/l) + 10L Brasero adjuvant (esterified rapeseed oil 842 g/l) for treating 6.25 ha. Rapidly desiccates leaves and stems, facilitates stolon-tuber detachment, promotes skin formation, and limits leafy regrowth. Low dependence on climatic conditions, usable in mixture with fungicides. Effective after mechanical shredding or in 100% chemical programs. Registered trademark.
• RIALTO Plant treatment solution containing 460 g/l flutolanil in SC (Ultra Low Volume liquid) formulation for potato seed treatment. Provides curative and preventive action against brown rhizoctonia, protecting tubers, plants, and stems throughout production cycles, with partial control of silver scurf. Philagro 2022 trials demonstrated yield gains of up to +4T/ha on contaminated potato plants. Registered trademark.
• IOTA P Plant treatment powder formulation containing 60 g/kg flutolanil (DP) for potato seed treatment. Provides curative and preventive protection against brown rhizoctonia. Together with RIALTO (SC formulation), represents over 37% market share in plant treatments in France in 2022. Registered trademark.
• INTUITY PRO New fungicide containing 250 g/l mandestrobine (QoI, FRAC11) developed by Sumitomo Chemical. Provides excellent and constant efficacy against all Monilia strains affecting flowers, branches, and fruits on stone fruits (cherry, peach, apricot, plum). High-quality formulation with better diffusion and adhesion, robust against wash-off. Very short DAR of only 1 day, allowing protection close to harvest. Registered trademark.
• SUMITRAP Reusable biocontrol trap for mass trapping of Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata). Yellow base attracts ceratitis via protein-derived food attractant; insects killed by esfenvalerate-impregnated kill disc. Reusable base design reduces plastic consumption and costs. Highly selective, minimizing capture of auxiliary insects and pollinators. Approved for citrus, cherry, pome fruits, persimmon, peach-apricot, plum, and vine at 75 traps/ha. Registered trademark.
• SOLEIL (also marketed as DJEMBE and SAKURA) Fungicide for wheat protection offering flexibility for use alone or in mixture according to disease risk. DJEMBE is an alternative brand name for SOLEIL; SAKURA is a separate fungicide product in the same wheat protection line. Registered trademarks.
• GORKI Insecticide containing 25.0 g/l Esfenvalerate (ISO) in EC formulation for aphid and leafhopper control. Features excellent efficacy and versatility across crops and pests with remarkable shock action and long persistence. Registered trademark.
• Esfenvalerate GOLD range (TATAMI GOLD, MANDARIN GOLD, COUNTRY GOLD, TOLEDE GOLD, JUDOKA GOLD) Range of registered trademark insecticides containing 50.0 g/l Esfenvalerate (ISO) in EW formulation, marketed under five brand names (TATAMI GOLD, MANDARIN GOLD, COUNTRY GOLD, TOLEDE GOLD, JUDOKA GOLD). The GOLD range provides flexibility of use for wheat protection with excellent aphicidal efficacy, versatility across crops and pests, remarkable shock action, long persistence, and advantageous profile for beneficial organisms (carabs, chrysopids, earthworms) supporting resistance management through chemistry alternation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Yield gains of up to +4T/ha demonstrated in Philagro 2022 trials with flutolanil plant treatment on contaminated potato plants
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature13 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sumitomo Chemical CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three Japanese shareholder groups providing R&D pipeline. Sumitomo Chemical invests 10-12% of global sales in R&D annually. Provides new crop protection molecules (chemical synthesis and natural origin) for European evaluation. Developed INTUITY PRO mandestrobine fungicide and SUMITRAP trap. Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe SAS is the European subsidiary, and Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe has integrated Philagro France. PHILAGRO France is now under the Sumitomo Chemical group.
• Nissan Chemical CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three Japanese shareholder groups providing R&D pipeline for crop protection molecules. Nissan Chemical invests 10-12% of global sales in R&D annually. Researchers from Nissan Chemical cooperate with French CEB teams for European evaluation of discovered molecules.
• Nihon Nohyaku CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three Japanese shareholder groups providing R&D pipeline for crop protection molecules. Nihon Nohyaku invests 10-12% of global sales in R&D annually. Researchers from Nihon Nohyaku cooperate with French CEB teams for European evaluation of discovered molecules.
• Valent BioSciences LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal leader in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) products. Manufactures DIPEL DF for over 30 years according to pharmaceutical-grade production standards, with 26 quality control points per batch and in vitro testing on caterpillar larvae for each production lot. DIPEL DF contains Bt kurstaki strain ABTS-351, the most widely used strain worldwide for lepidopteran control.
• Philagro South AfricaminorOthersSister company within the Philagro network, linked through shared Japanese shareholders.
• KenogardminorOthersLinked partner in Spain (kenogard.es), serving the Spanish agricultural market.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bayer Crop Science France: Bayer's French crop protection business offering herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides across cereals, vines, and specialty crops. Comparable as a broad incumbent distributing through authorized French agricultural channels with a similarly extensive product catalog.
• BASF France (Agricultural Solutions): French arm of BASF's global crop protection division. Directly comparable as a broad-spectrum agrochemical distributor/manufacturer in France with overlapping fungicide, herbicide, and insecticide portfolios across the same arable, viticulture, and arboriculture crops Philagro serves.
• Corteva Agriscience France: French subsidiary of Corteva offering crop protection products (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides) across cereals, vines, and specialty crops. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving French professional agriculture through authorized distributors.
• Syngenta France: Major global crop protection player with significant French operations selling herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and seed treatments. Directly comparable as a multi-category distributor to French professional agriculture via the same authorized distribution channel.

Emerging players

• Certis Europe: Specialist biocontrol company (Mitsui Chemical-owned) operating in France and Europe. Comparable as an emerging player with focused overlap on biocontrol insecticides and integrated pest management, particularly relevant given Philagro's biocontrol positioning and Valent BioSciences partnership.

Regional players

• Sumi Agro France: Sister entity within the broader Sumitomo Chemical network distributing crop protection products in France. Comparable as a sister distribution arm with overlapping Japanese parent pipelines, making it both a coordination partner and a potential channel conflict point for Philagro.

Direct peers

• FMC Agricultural Solutions France: French arm of FMC's crop protection business, selling insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides with strong positions in specialty crops. Comparable as a direct competitor in French professional agriculture with overlapping R&D-driven differentiation.
• ADAMA France: Global generic crop protection company with a French presence focused on off-patent herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. Comparable as a direct competitor in the French crop protection distribution channel, with overlapping active substances (including pyraflufen-ethyl and other commodity-style formulations).
• UPL France: French operations of UPL, offering a broad portfolio of crop protection solutions including biosolutions and conventional chemistry. Comparable as a multi-category competitor in France with increasing emphasis on integrated and biocontrol solutions similar to Philagro's Biowin positioning.
• Nufarm France: French operations of Nufarm, focused on crop protection products (herbicides, fungicides, growth regulators) for cereals, viticulture, and specialty crops. Comparable as a mid-sized direct peer distributing through the same authorized French agricultural channel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/user52090203
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/philagrofrance

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Philagro France