The number of agricultural industry leaders committed to provide access to closed transfer systems (CTS) continues to grow. From September 2020, Certis Europe joins ADAMA, BASF, Corteva Agriscience, Nufarm and Syngenta to introduce easyconnect CTS in the European market from 2021/22. The growing number of supporters of the easyconnect system steadily increases the number of products equipped with the easyconnect cap, giving farmers a broad choice.

“The European crop protection industry recently adopted a set of ambitious commitments to support the EU’s new Green Deal. This includes a reinforced commitment to protect people and the environment,” explained Juan Sasturain, Manager for Product Stewardship Strategies at BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division and current chair of the easyconnect CTS pilot group. “To further reduce operators’ exposure, the European crop protection industry wants to make technologies, such as CTS, available to 100% of European farmers and operators by 2030. With easyconnect, we are fully on track to meet this target.”

The easyconnect system consists of two components: a unique cap – pre-fitted on the containers – and a coupler, which together establish the CTS.

“easyconnect provides a compelling combination of safety and convenience in handling liquid crop protection products, reducing potential risks of spilling and splashes during the filling process. Using easyconnect is the safest and most convenient way for operators to fill their spray tank, and this is what convinced us to join the pilot group,” explained Jacques Haverlant, Head of Innovation and Development, Certis.   

The first market launch is expected in Denmark and the Netherlands in 2021, followed by France, Germany and the United Kingdom in 2022. Other countries are likely to follow.

Developed by BASF in collaboration with third-party equipment manufacturers, easyconnect has been extensively tested on-farm across Europe since 2015. Based on farmers’ feedback, the system has been steadily improved in terms of handling and speed, making filling faster than via the commonly used induction hopper.

easyconnect is an open technology and available to all interested agricultural parties. Further industry players in the agrochemical sector, equipment manufacturers or any other parties interested in joining the launch of easyconnect are encouraged to contact any of the six companies.