DLA Piper advises BASF SE on acquisition of ABA Biologicals Pty Ltd (AgBiTech)

Global law firm DLA Piper advised its long-standing client, BASF SE, on the proposed acquisition of ABA Biologicals Pty Ltd, trading as AgBiTech. AgBiTech is a leading provider of biological pest control solutions recognised for its pioneering use of nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) technology.

BASF’s BioSolutions portfolio offers a wide range of biological products that help farmers protect crops from diseases and insects, minimize residues, manage resistance, improve stress tolerance, and extend effective pest and disease control. These products complement chemical treatments within Integrated Pest Management programs.

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, AgBiTech develops insect control solutions from naturally occurring viruses. With operations in Brazil, the United States, and Australia, the company supports growers of soybeans, corn, cotton, and various specialty crops worldwide.

This transaction supports BASF’s ongoing investment in sustainable and integrated crop protection, complements the BioSolutions portfolio, and strengthens its market position. The transaction successfully closed on 31 March 2026.

Acting as lead counsel and working closely with BASF's Merve Evrim Ikiler (as in-house lead counsel), the cross-border and multidisciplinary DLA Piper team, which advised on all Australian aspects of the transaction, was led by Corporate partners Mark Burger and Jyoti Singh, based in the firm's Melbourne office. They were supported by Tax partner, Adam Smith, solicitors Kevin Shih (Tax) and Tom Loveridge (Corporate), along with Regulatory, Employment, and Intellectual Property lawyers from across the firm, including the US.

Commenting on the transaction, Dr Benjamin Parameswaran, Managing Director, Clients, and BASF Co- Client Relationship Partner DLA Piper International said: "This transaction marks an important step in BASF’s strategy to expand its BioSolutions capabilities and strengthen its position in sustainable crop protection. With a cross-border team we have once again been able to demonstrate the power of our global platform and our ability to seamlessly deliver legal counsel on complex transactions.”

Richard Fens, Global Co-Chair Industrials Sector, and BASF Co-Client Relationship partner, DLA Piper International added: "Our ongoing and evolving relationship with BASF demonstrates our client's trust and our collective shared commitment to delivering forward‑looking solutions in complex markets."

DLA Piper has supported BASF on several activities, including:

• Selling 2% of the offshore windfarm Hollandse Kust Zuid (HKZ) in the Netherlands to Allianz.
• The global legal carve-out of its mobile emissions catalysts and precious metal services businesses
• The EUR1.3bn acquisition of Solvay's integrated global polyamide business.
• The acquisition of Arc Metal AB in Sweden by BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions.