Swiss fine chemicals group Lonza has acquired Zelam, a New Zealand-based manufacturer of fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, foliar nutrients and additives as well as wood protection products. With production facilities based in New Zealand as well as in Australia and the US, the company is a leading developer and owner of patented chemistry and delivery technologies for pastoral crops and glueline treatment of engineered wood.

Sven Abend, Lonza’s chief strategic officer, said the Swiss company sees the acquisition as “an excellent opportunity to further our growth strategy for Agro Ingredients by providing entry into new strategic markets and products that are complementary to our existing Meta business.”

Abend said Lonza will be able to leverage Zelam’s agrochemical business for registration and sales into other global regions, especially the US, EU and South America. The company‘s Wood Protection businesses also will profit, he noted.

The New Zealand firm has 45 employees including what Lonza says is a “seasoned management team and experienced R&D team with highly skilled researchers and formulation chemists, as well as sales and technical people with strong industry experience.”