Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group which owns BOC in Australia and New Zealand, has announced the launch of its Crop Science business to help ensure food security around the world.

The re-energised product and service offering – previously referred to as its “fumigants” business – is recognition of Linde’s renewed commitment to combating the increasing challenges facing the world food supply chain.

Linde’s crop science program is being led by BOC’s Sydney-based gas applications manager Chris Dolman and backed by extensive Australian research.

The company has also recently opened a new plant in the Czech Republic, which will manufacture the group’s latest environmentally friendly fumigant. The new fumigant, to be marketed as EDN FUMIGAS^®, will be used to limit the impact of pests and disease on timber and in agriculture.(1)

Global research by the Department of Agriculture and Food in Australia has confirmed that a third of the world’s food supply is lost or wasted – enough to feed over two billion people. Over half of this food loss is attributable to destruction by crop pests.

There are an estimated 70,000 species of crop pests responsible for over $1.4 trillion US dollars of economic losses each year, and as crop pests are predicted to outpace the growth of environmental pests and animal diseases over the next 20 years, this problem will only intensify.

Mr Dolman said that unwanted and harmful organisms were becoming an increasingly global and complex problem, ranging from microorganisms such as bacteria and moulds to arthropods such as insects and spiders, to specific types of plants

“The issue of crop pests is further aggravated by population growth. Predications around food production indicate that food growth will need to increase by 70 to 100 percent over the next 30 years to meet demand. (2)

“Globalisation and the movement of people and goods also create new opportunities for pests: entry into new geographical regions, the finding of new vectors, hosts and environments, and the development of new genetic combinations,’’ Mr Dolman said.

With these challenges in mind, Linde’s newly formed Crop Science business will offer innovative fumigant products to protect both food produce itself and the producer’s investment, while allowing for genuine sustainable agriculture.

The products are highly effective substitutes for the universal – and now mainly banned component – methyl bromide (MeBr), which has for some time been the global standard for fumigation. Linde’s fumigant product range is considerably more environmentally friendly and comprises of naturally occurring active ingredients that degrade to earth-friendly

metabolites. The fumigant range also fully complies with UN Directives, such as the Montreal Protocol, and has no known global warming potential.

“The move to strengthen our Crop Science business reinforces Linde’s commitment to food security and to help protect the global food supply chain. Linde has always played a pioneering role in innovative gas technologies and has a strong heritage in environmental care and scientific research,’’ Mr Dolman said.

“It is well placed to lead the way with innovative solutions for crop protection.”

Linde’s innovative Crop Science product range includes VAPORMATE^® and EDN FUMIGAS^® Linde also has a dedicated team to ensure farmers and producers select the most appropriate fumigant product to meet their needs and to comply with local regulatory requirements. Further information can be found at http://cropscience.lindegas.com/en/index.html

In recognition of Linde’s dedication to sustainability performance, in September 2012 the Group was added to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI World). Analysts at the Sustainable Asset Management Group (SAM) recognised in particular the Group’s activities in the areas of climate change, environmental management systems and risk and crisis management. (3)

Dollars and Cents of Biosecurity, Economic Impact as Part of Pest Risk Analysis and Communication - http://www.biosecurity.wa.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=ARzcPVyFEpY%3D&tabid=190

(1) Based on ethanedinitrile, EDN FUMIGAS^® is an ozone friendly alternative to methyl bromide (MeBr), which was banned in many countries in 1992 by the Montreal protocol due to its ozone-depleting effects. EDN^® surpasses the efficacy of MeBr, requires less dosage per crop, has a shorter fumigation period and has the additional benefit of leaving residues that degrade to become useful soil fertilisers.

(2) Current and emerging threats to impact plant industry on global food security - http://www.biosecurity.wa.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=s20m7esxhjQ%3D&tabid=190

(3) The internationally renowned share index for sustainability performance selects the top 10 percent among the 2,500 largest companies listed on the Dow Jones Global Index. The companies represent 58 different industry sectors and are ranked by SAM analysts according to various environmental, economic and social criteria.