Sumitomo Chemicals have acquired a majority holding in Interfarm, a distributor of crop protection products in the UK and Ireland.

The company said that the acquisition strengthens Sumitomo’s position in the UK and Irish markets, providing a strong platform for the launch of its newly-registered SumiMax 30SC (flumioxazin) herbicide.

Chris Forrest, formerly chairman of Interfarm, has now left the company and in future will be continuing independently, as a consultant, with his on-farm agronomy.

The new business hopes to grow significantly over the next five years, with the introduction of several new products which are currently in development.