Insecticides (India) Limited (IIL) Launches Altair in Collaboration with Nissanchemical Corporation, Japan : Latest technology Pre-Emergent Herbicide forPaddy

Raipur, 26th May, 2025: Insecticides Ltd. (IIL), a leading player in India’s crop protection and
Nutrition industry, listed on both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE), proudly announces the launch of Altair, a patented pre-emergent herbicide for paddy. Altair has been developed by Nissan Chemical Corporation, Japan and will be exclusively marketed by IIL in India. Altair marks a significant milestone in IIL’s commitment to bringing world-class solutions to Indian farmers. This strategic partnership between Insecticides (India) Limited and Nissan Chemical Corporation, Japan, a global leader in agricultural innovation brings cutting-edge Japanese technology to Indian fields since 2013.


Commenting on the launch, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Aggarwal, Managing Director of Insecticides (India) Ltd., said: “We are delighted to introduce Altair, another product from our partners Nissan in India. A breakthrough pre-emergent herbicide for paddy which checks the germination of majority of weeds in paddy. This launch is a testament to IIL’s commitment to delivering innovative and effective solutions that address the real challenges faced by Indian farmers. We are confident that Altair will become an indispensable tool for paddy growers across the country. With this launch, IIL aims to further strengthen its position as a leader in the crop protection segment and contribute to the prosperity of India’s farming community.”


Mr. Dushyant Sood, Chief Marketing Officer, Insecticides (India) Limited mentioned “Indian paddy farmers have been facing the challenges of manual Weeding, yield compromise, late intervention and multiple application of herbicides. The need for innovative, efficient, and safe weed management solutions has never been greater. We are happy that now they have a solution to their problems as Altair. We would also like to share that this has been demonstrated to more than 10000 farmers across geographies in more than 500 large plot demonstration during last one year. Farmers have found this more effective than their current herbicide.”


Altair: A Breakthrough in Rice Herbicide Technology

Altair, a patented innovation from Nissan Chemical Corporation, represents a major advancement in rice herbicide technology, developed after eight years of dedicated research. Specifically designed to tackle persistent weed challenges in Indian rice cultivation systems, Altair sets a new standard in pre-emergent herbicide solutions.


Unlike conventional herbicides, Altair forms a protective barrier in the soil from day one of
application. It should be applied within 0–3 days after transplanting. This early intervention prevents the emergence of weeds for an extended period—up to 40–50 days—offering lasting protection during critical early growth stages.

Altair provides broad-spectrum control against a wide range of weeds, including the most prominent and difficult ones such as Echinochloa crus-galli,Ammania, Cyperus species & many other tough to control weeds. Its formulation and efficacy are tailored specifically to the needs of Indian paddy farmers, who often contend with diverse and aggressive weed infestations.


With easy application and consistent performance, Altair is a game-changer for rice farmers across India. It will be distributed through IIL’s extensive network, ensuring timely and widespread availability in all major paddy-growing regions. Added Mr. Manoj Singh Bhandari, Crop Manager – Rice, Insecticides (India) Limited.

About Insecticides (India) Limited

Insecticides (India) Ltd. (IIL) is a leading player on the BSE and NSE, ranking among India’s top crop protection and nutrition companies. Our resilient journey has reached over 25 lac farmers through deep market penetration pan India. With two technical synthesis plants, six formulation plants including one EoU, and a biological plant under toll arrangement, IIL is a fully integrated entity covering R&D, technical synthesis, formulation and robust marketing & extension activities.


Since our inception in 2001, significant manufacturing transformations have taken place. Our plants in Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, and Gujarat exemplify seamless backward integration supported by advanced technical synthesis facilities. The toll manufacturing plant in Uttar Pradesh specializes in biologicals, broadening our product offerings. Tie-ups & Collaborations with international research giants like OAT Agrio Co. Ltd., Japan and Nissan Chemical Corporation, Japan, alongside four R&D centers (including a GLP-certified research facility in Chopanki), showcase our commitment to bring the latest international technology for the farmers.


Our iconic umbrella brand “TRACTOR BRAND”, a farmer-favorite, indicates our strong bond with the farming community. With 21+ technical grade and 105+ formulation products, recent launches like Shinwa, Torry, Izuki, and Mission have gained remarkable market response, contributing to our success. IIL possess the leading brands of the industry such as Lethal, Monocil, Green Label, Pulsor, Hercules and Hachiman.


IIL’s mission is to democratize cutting-edge agricultural technology, reaching common and marginal farmers. Our pan-India presence and global footprint in 24 countries, operating in both chemical and biological spheres, make us one of the industry leaders in crop protection and nutrition. Fiscal year 2024 saw a noteworthy 9 % YoY topline increase, culminating in a consolidated revenue of 1966 Cr.

The establishment of the IIL Foundation reflects our commitment for corporate social responsibility. IIL foundation already has number of successful projects to its name. In the past, IIL Foundation has worked with ICAR-IARI to make the farmers aware about the latest technology in crop protection. The foundation takes the lead in farmer awareness and education, forming meaningful alliances with different institutions like SVPUAT, Meerut.

At IIL, our core essence is that of a purpose-driven brand, focusing on the aspirations of farmers, guiding our innovative solutions.