CIC signs deal with SLINTEC for pioneering research project

25 September 2015 02:54 am Views - 3206

CIC Holdings PLC recently signed a research agreement with the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) to develop a novel herbicide formulation for CIC’s Crop Solutions Division. 

This initiative is one of the very first attempts in the industry to locally synthesize and formulate a herbicide in Sri Lanka. 
SLINTEC is a public-private partnership between the Sri Lankan government and major players in the private sector namely MAS Holdings, Brandix, Dialog, Hayleys, Loadstar and Lankem. 

SLINTEC is committed to assisting local industries in their efforts to develop and improve products for local and international markets by using nanotechnology and other advanced technology solutions. 

Synthetic Chemistry is the latest programme that was added to the strategic research portfolio of SLINTEC and this new herbicide formulation is the first commercial initiative in this particular category.  

CIC Holdings is one of the country’s leading conglomerates with a diversified industry portfolio that includes businesses in areas such as healthcare and consumer products. 

CIC’s Crop Solutions Division is the leading supplier of crop protection solutions in Sri Lanka and works closely with farmers and plantation growers to help them cultivate healthy crop yields that meet the needs of Sri Lankan consumers. 

Commenting on the agreement CIC Holdings PLC Managing Director/CEO Samantha Ranatunga stated, “We are immensely pleased to embark on this new research initiative with SLINTEC, one of the foremost scientific research entities in the country. CIC’s Crop Solutions Division plays a pivotal role in spearheading the country’s agriculture industry and aids yield maximization and also reduces the loss of harvest due to weeds, pests and diseases.”

CIC Crop Solutions boasts an impressive range of solutions that cater to the management of weeds, insects and diseases (ranging from organic and bio pesticides to synthetic chemicals) and also includes plant stimulants and liquid fertilizers. The company also supplies products to cater to specific pests and pathogens.