Bayer Deepens Global Collaboration with M2i Group to Expand Access to Sustainable, Pheromone-Based Crop Protection Solutions
In a significant move aimed at accelerating the global transition to sustainable agricultural practices, Bayer has announced the expansion of its partnership with French biotechnology company M2i Group. The new development and distribution agreement grants Bayer exclusive rights to distribute M2i’s innovative pheromone-based biological crop protection products in the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America, and the United States. This expansion builds upon the companies’ ongoing collaboration in Europe and Africa and marks an important milestone in their shared mission to deliver effective, residue-free crop protection solutions to farmers worldwide.
Bayer and M2i Group first partnered in 2023 to launch a range of biological products, specifically targeting pest control in high-value crops such as grapes, tomatoes, and orchard fruits. The collaboration began with the launch of M2i’s pheromone gel technology—most notably the VYNYTY Press series—which offers a novel approach to integrated pest management. This technology has already demonstrated success across European countries and parts of Africa, helping farmers protect crops while reducing reliance on traditional chemical pesticides.
The expanded agreement now enables Bayer to introduce M2i’s pheromone-based products in key agricultural markets beyond the original scope of the collaboration. This includes Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the U.S.—regions where pest pressure, environmental concerns, and growing demand for sustainable agricultural practices make biological solutions increasingly attractive.
A Strategic Alliance Built on Innovation and Sustainability
“Effective products with low or no residue are an important part of Bayer’s biological portfolio,” said Ralf Glaubitz, Head of the Crop Protection Product Team for Fungicides, Biologics, and Fruits & Vegetables at Bayer’s Crop Science Division. “Through these strategic partnerships, we are able to broaden the crop protection toolbox, and farmers have more solutions available that they can apply in their farm operations. We are excited to strengthen our collaboration and further enhance Bayer’s existing biological portfolio.”
Glaubitz emphasized that the growing demand for safer and more sustainable crop protection tools has pushed Bayer to expand its biological offerings. The partnership with M2i is central to this strategy, particularly given M2i’s expertise in developing advanced pheromone-based formulations and its novel pressurized gel delivery system.
M2i Group is widely regarded as the European leader in pheromone production and is known for its ability to formulate and manufacture complex molecules used in pest control. Its patented Press technology enables pheromones to be dispensed as a thick gel directly onto crops using a reusable, pressurized applicator. This method eliminates the need for plastic hangers or dispensers typically used in traditional mating disruption systems, significantly reducing plastic waste and simplifying application for growers.
Environmentally Friendly Innovation at the Forefront
“In our Press technology, pheromones are formulated in a thick and long-lasting gel, dispensed from a pressurized device that can easily deliver the gel directly to the plant,” said Philippe Guerret, CEO of M2i Group. “Besides the effective and green formulation of pheromones, it offers more advantages: The bottle is reusable, and the direct dispensation keeps growers from having to use plastic in an applicator or hanger. This unique innovation is a way to save time, to keep plastic use to a minimum, and to reduce waste. We are excited to see such an innovation distributed on a worldwide scale.”
The Press technology is already showing promising results in various geographies. Since the initial agreement in 2023, Bayer has introduced products from the VYNYTY Press line across Europe and in several African markets. For example, VYNYTY Tuta Press—designed to combat the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta—has gained traction among growers in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Morocco, and Turkey. In Chile, the technology has been tested for two years against the grapevine moth Lobesia botrana and is now being launched for both wine and table grapes.
These products not only provide an effective solution against specific pests but also offer residue-free control, making them ideal for crops with tight maximum residue limits (MRLs) and markets with strong consumer demand for chemical-free produce.
Integrating Technology and Biology for Precision Agriculture
Another strength of the Bayer-M2i partnership lies in the integration of biologicals with digital agriculture tools. Bayer has been incorporating M2i’s pheromone-based technologies into a larger system of digitally enabled solutions. This includes pest monitoring tools that help growers track pest populations, determine pressure levels, and identify optimal application timings. Coupled with data from field sensors and satellite imaging, these tools allow for precise, informed decision-making.
By merging M2i’s sustainable pest control products with Bayer’s digital agriculture platform and synthetic and biological inputs, the companies are creating holistic systems tailored to individual crop and field conditions.
This approach aligns with Bayer’s broader commitment to open innovation. Rather than developing all solutions in-house, the company has increasingly looked outward to forge strategic alliances that leverage external expertise. The partnership with M2i is a key example of this model, combining Bayer’s scale and distribution capabilities with M2i’s cutting-edge pheromone technology.
A Growing Biological Portfolio to Meet Global Demand
The global market for biological crop protection is growing rapidly, driven by regulatory changes, consumer preferences, and environmental concerns. Biologicals—including pheromones, microbial products, and natural extracts—offer several advantages over conventional pesticides: they typically leave no residues, are safer for applicators, and are often compatible with organic and regenerative farming practices.
Bayer has made biologicals a key pillar of its Crop Science division’s future growth strategy. The company’s portfolio already includes microbial seed treatments, biostimulants, and biofungicides, and now, with the expanded partnership with M2i Group, Bayer is poised to become a leader in pheromone-based pest control.
For Bayer, the collaboration also supports its ambitious sustainability goals. The company has committed to reducing the environmental impact of crop protection by 30% by 2030, and expanding access to sustainable pest control technologies is a crucial part of achieving that target.
