All partnering requests
See more requests
Agricultural inputs and technologies for crop protection and sustainability
- Background
- What we're looking for
- What we can offer you
- Who we are
- Q&A
Have questions about this request?
Get them answered by the team at Sumitomo Chemical.
Background
Global food demand is expected to increase 50% by 2050. This challenging demand is too large for anyone to solve alone. One way Valent aspires to solve the challenge is by collaborating with the global scientific and innovation communities to develop new sustainable and creative solutions to help our growers meet the surging food demand.
What we're looking for
We are looking for existing or emerging technologies that enhance the performance or provide complementary benefits to Valent’s proprietary portfolio that includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators. Technologies of interest include formulation methods, field application methods and tools, conventional active ingredients, biorationals, biostimulants, synergists, and product packaging.
Solutions of interest include:
- Package barriers that replace PFAS for improved sustainability
- Active ingredients or additives that impart new features/benefits when mixed with herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, or biostimulants
- Green co-formulants and other ways to enhance the sustainability of pesticide products
- Formulation technologies to support pesticide development for ultra-low volume use, such as with drone applications
- Technologies that support formulation integrity, controlled pesticide application, or delivery
- Pest control technologies with nontoxic modes of action that can be incorporated into traditional pesticide formulations
- Biologically derived or conventional chemistries
- Pesticides with new modes of actions
- Seed treatment technologies
Our must-have requirements are:
- Clarity on whether solutions require EPA registration for use in agriculture
- Clear path for EPA registration if the solution requires it
Our nice-to-have's are:
- Registered for use in agriculture by the EPA, if required
- Does not require EPA registration
What's out of scope:
- Technologies or methodologies tailored for development of new plant traits
Acceptable technology readiness levels (TRL):
Levels 3-9
What we can offer you
Eligible partnership models:
Sponsored researchCo-developmentEquity investmentSupply/purchaseLicensing
Benefits:
Sponsored Research
Funding of up to $100,000 for 6-12 month to initiate a pilot project with the potential for continued funding. Specific funding level is commensurate upon scope of proposal.Expertise
Work with Valent U.S.A. LLC R&D teams that have a successful track record in bringing new technologies to market. Our personnel have technical expertise in agriculture, plant health, biology, chemistry, and formulations.Facilities and Services
Valent is equipped with technical resources such as field research stations, greenhouses, growth chambers, and advanced laboratory facilities.Who we are
Sumitomo Chemical will continue to contribute to solving problems facing the global community and to contribute to improving the Quality of Life for people around the world in areas such as food, ICT, healthcare, and the environment by capitalizing on our technological prowess and to seek to earn the greater trust of our business partners, shareholders, investors, communities where we work, and all other stakeholders.
Learn moreReviewers
BL
Brian Lin
Technological Innovations
HN
Hiroyoshi Nakajima
General Manager
Q&A with Sumitomo Chemical
The Q&A is now closed.
Sort by:
Most upvoted
Q.
Would you consider collaborating with the University of Pretoria’s AI-driven drug group to screen and test compounds for overcoming resistance to current herbicides using enzyme assays?
ZA
January 14, 2025
5
A.
Dear Dr Apostolides:
Thank you for reaching out. Valent U.S.A. does not focus on new herbicide discovery. With that said, the parent company Sumitomo Chemicals has a robust discovery program which we would share proposals for review.
Best wishes,
Brian
BL
Brian Lin, Technological Innovations, Sumitomo Chemical
February 18, 2025
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
How can I apply for a grant to start an international project about formulation of biofungicides for crop protection and development of sustainable agriculture?
4
A.
Dear Dr Taheri:
As part of Valent U.S.A. open innovation initiative, the intent is to seek collaborative or sponsor projects and not necessarily fund projects through grants. Once the RFP period ends on Feb 28, 2025, Valent will review proposals for collaborative opportunities. The proposal evaluation process will also provide an opportunity to learn about investigator expertise and interests for future opportunities.
Best wishes,
Brian
BL
Brian Lin, Technological Innovations, Sumitomo Chemical
February 18, 2025
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
Would you consider the use of yeast-based formulas to control postharvest diseases and extend shelf-life of fresh produce ?
3
A.
Dear Dr Calderon-Santoyo-
Thank you for reaching out. The current priority is focused around preharvest applications. With that said, we are always opened to evaluating new non-confidential ideas. Even if not fully aligned with current priorities, we review the proposals and note investigators' expertise and interests for future opportunities.
Best wishes,
Brian
BL
Brian Lin, Technological Innovations, Sumitomo Chemical
February 18, 2025
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
Would you consider sensor technologies for characterizing pesticide/herbicide sprays and spray drift in the field?
JH
January 30, 2025
2
A.
Dear Dr Hong:
It's difficult to evaluate the scope of the project based on the question, however this is a topic that our subject matter experts would have interest in reviewing.
Best wishes,
Brian
BL
Brian Lin, Technological Innovations, Sumitomo Chemical
February 18, 2025
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
I have my project prepared in the SBIR format. Can I send it as it is?
LC
February 3, 2025
1
A.
Dear Dr Cabrera:
That would be fine, as long as it does not contain confidential information.
Best wishes,
Brian
BL
Brian Lin, Technological Innovations, Sumitomo Chemical
February 18, 2025
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
My project improves agrochemical penetration by selectively removing the leaf wax cuticle with a laser. Would it be relevant to submit this for your consideration?
LC
February 3, 2025
1
Q.
Would a field instrument capable of real-time monitoring of a plant's response to external energy inputs (light, temperature, nutrients) to optimize growing conditions be of interest?
Cheers
RB
February 11, 2025
1
A.
Dear Dr Burge:
Thank you for reaching out.
The scope could be quite broad. With that said, a proposal in this area may pique the interest of some subject matter experts.
Best wishes and warmest regards,
Brian
BL
Brian Lin, Technological Innovations, Sumitomo Chemical
February 18, 2025
Is this response helpful?
0
0
A.
Thank you
RB
February 18, 2025
1
Q.
We do targeted delivery using phage (w/wo hydrophobic small molecules) and degradable biopolymers (UV, hydrolysis, pH) that fit some listed areas. Are these of interest? Is there a specific focus?
LU
February 11, 2025
1
A.
Dear Dr Unsworth:
Thank you for reaching out. Phage technologies often encounter stability challenged when stored under conditions used for agrichemicals. Might there be a solution for that?
Best wishes,
Brian
BL
Brian Lin, Technological Innovations, Sumitomo Chemical
February 18, 2025
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
Would your RFP consider systems that track input performance across trials, cultivation, post-harvest + real-time QA control and SOP guidance? Our tech measures efficacy & optimizes application via AI-driven monitoring.
IS
February 28, 2025
1
Q.
Regarding "controlled pesticide application or delivery," would in-field robotic sprayers w/controlled spraying be of specific interest? Is low-variability and ~0.2 m^2 spatial resolution of application of interest?
CK
February 27, 2025
1
Q.
Hi Brian,
My group developed a bio-nanoparticle to deliver cargos to plants for plant protection. I would appreciate it if you could send me an email @ Washington.daSilva@yale.edu for more details.
1
Q.
We have a patent-pending technology. https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2023060053A1/en?oq=WO+2023%2f060053+
Would you be interested in reviewing it for potentially licensing it?
MY
Mingder Yang, Tech Transfer, University of Florida
February 14, 2025
1
A.
Dear Dr Yang:
I could not pull up the published patent application. Could you please send it as an attachment in proposal.
Best wishes,
Brian
BL
Brian Lin, Technological Innovations, Sumitomo Chemical
February 18, 2025
Is this response helpful?
0
0
A.
Hi Brian,
I am not sure how to send a PDF attachment of the published patent application. Could you try a different link from Google Patent search site to see if you are able to download it?
https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2023060053A1/
Otherwise, could you send me an email at mdyang@ufl.edu? I can then reply your email attaching the file.
Thanks,
Mingder
MY
Mingder Yang, Tech Transfer, University of Florida
February 19, 2025
1
Q.
I work with algae and algae derived products. These can function as fertilizers, biostimulants and antifungal agents & other ways that benefits plant health. If there is interest in the company's part will be good know.
1
A.
Dear Dr Maitra:
Thank you for reaching out. The scope of the question is quite broad, however there is interest in biostimulant, plant health, and antifungal ideas. Could you please frame your technologies in the form of a proposal to help our evaluators and subject matter experts understand what a collaboration might look like?
Best wishes and warmest regards,
Brian
BL
Brian Lin, Technological Innovations, Sumitomo Chemical
February 18, 2025
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Sign up to access the full partnering request.
View the details of this request and connect directly with corporate R&D teams at Fortune 500 companies.Already have an account? Sign in
Share partnering request
Complete
Refine recommendations
Is this request relevant to you?
Eligible partners
Academic researchersStartupsSuppliers
Seeking partners focused on
Agricultural EngineeringAgricultural ScienceAgronomyBiochemistryBiocidesBiofilmsBioinformaticsBiomimeticsBiomolecular ProcessesBiophysics
47 more
Other recommended requests
NEW
Showcase solutions to industry
Don’t see a matching request for your technology, product, or service? List it and reach thousands of R&D decision-makers.
Partner smarter. Move faster.
Get new partnering requests
delivered to your inbox.
delivered to your inbox.
© 2026 Halo Cures, Inc.