Rotam Launches Abamectin Products.

MIAMI -- Rotam USA LLC, a U.S. company associated with the Rotam Ltd. Group of Hong Kong, has announced the full registration by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the impending launch of its ABACUS(TM) Agricultural and its LUCID(TM) Ornamental Miticides/Insecticides. Both products are based on the active ingredient abamectin and are post-patent alternatives to the familiar brands Agri-Mek(TM) and Avid(TM) miticides/insecticides.

"While ABACUS and LUCID are the first commercial products introduced into the U.S. market by Rotam, the Group has a wide experience in agrochemicals around the world," said Alvaro Canizares, President, Rotam USA LLC. "As a growing leader in active ingredient synthesis, formulation, and packaging, as well as registration of agrochemicals, the Rotam Group has for over 10 years participated in the development and marketing of crop protection products internationally and is well known within the agrochemical industry.

"Rotam will now bring its excellent registration, technical and global marketing expertise to its new U.S. operations," Canizares said. "As a basic developer and marketer of abamectin compounds, Rotam believes this chemistry provides a strong entry point for this extension of our international business. Registration of abamectin products has always been a very complex job, and Rotam was able to achieve its Federal registration in a very short period of time, proving Rotam's technical capabilities."

John Frieden, Commercial Manager of Rotam Agro LLC, noted that abamectin is a high-value crop protection product with novel and complex chemistry.

"Rotam is noted throughout the world for the fine quality of its abamectin technical, which is used to formulate such brands as Acaramik, Grimectin, and others familiar to many international distributors and end-users," Frieden said. "Rotam manufactures all of its own commercial products sold elsewhere in the world with a high level of performance and reliability. We expect ABACUS and LUCID to be the same in the United States."

ABACUS provides control of mites (including two-spotted spider mite, Pacific, strawberry, Carmine, and McDaniel spider mites, European red mite and citrus bud mite), certain leafhoppers, leafminers, and thrips, plus pear psylla and Colorado potato beetle.

ABACUS is labeled for crops that include almonds, walnuts, apples, celery, citrus, cotton, cucurbits, grapes, lettuce, hops, pears, peppers, potatoes, strawberries, and tomatoes.

LUCID is a non-crop formulation labeled for ornamental plants, shrubs and trees. It is for control of mites (European and Southern red, two-spotted, Carmine, and spruce spider mites, tarsonemid mites, cyclamen and broad mites, Eriophyid mites, rust and bud mites), aphids, thrips, whiteflies, and certain leafminers.

"ABACUS and LUCID will be available in all states, including California and other western states," Frieden said. "These formulations are exceptionally safe for crops and deliver long-lasting control with minimal impact on beneficial insects. ABACUS and LUCID are an excellent fit for Integrated Pest Management programs and for resistance management strategies.

"Rotam's ABACUS and LUCID now will provide U.S. growers with the same economical alternatives for crop protection savings that Rotam abamectin products have provided growers around the world," said Frieden.

Rotam USA LLC is associated with the Agro Unit of the Rotam Ltd. Group, which develops, manufactures, and markets insecticides, fungicides and herbicides to growers and other users worldwide.

The Rotam Group is comprised of more than 40 companies operating in about 35 countries. Group headquarters are in Vancouver, Canada; and Shanghai, PRC. The Rotam Group is basic in the life sciences, including pharmaceuticals, veterinary and agricultural chemicals as well as barrier packaging for finished products. Rotam Group also has numerous diversified businesses in food retailing and wholesale, property development, and plastic household products.

Always read and follow label directions.

ABACUS and LUCID are trademarks of a Rotam Agro Group Company.

Agri-Mek and Avid are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.