Key Takeaways
- • Paine Schwartz Partners has closed the sale of AgBiTech to BASF Agricultural Solutions, following a definitive agreement signed in January 2026, marking the exit of the private equity firm from the biological crop protection platform after an 11-year ownership period beginning in 2015.
- • AgBiTech, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, develops and manufactures biological insecticides using naturally occurring viruses to control caterpillar pests in major row crops including soybeans and corn, with manufacturing operations in the United States, Australia, and Brazil and distribution across the Americas.
- • During Paine Schwartz's tenure, AgBiTech expanded commercial operations across agricultural markets, built direct-to-grower distribution capabilities in Brazil, and invested in research and development to develop new sustainable crop protection products.
- • The acquisition by BASF Agricultural Solutions—a division of publicly traded BASF—positions the biological crop protection technology within a major global agrochemical company with established distribution and market access capabilities.
- • CEO Adriano Vilas-Boas remains in leadership of AgBiTech under the new ownership structure, citing Paine Schwartz's role in scaling commercial capabilities and bringing sustainable solutions to growers across key countries.
Summary
Paine Schwartz Partners has completed its exit from AgBiTech through a sale to BASF Agricultural Solutions, a division of the publicly traded chemical company BASF. The transaction closed following execution of a definitive agreement in January 2026. This marks the conclusion of an 11-year investment period for Paine Schwartz, which acquired AgBiTech in 2015 and worked to expand the company's market presence and operational capabilities.
AgBiTech, founded in 2000 and based in Fort Worth, Texas, specializes in biological crop protection products that leverage naturally occurring viruses to control caterpillar pests in major row crops. The company serves commercial farming operations across row crop and specialty crop segments, protecting staples such as soybeans and corn while reducing environmental impact compared to synthetic chemical alternatives. AgBiTech operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Australia, and Brazil, enabling distribution across the Americas and other key agricultural markets.
Under Paine Schwartz's ownership, AgBiTech executed a strategy focused on geographic expansion, distribution network development, and innovation. The firm established direct-to-grower distribution capabilities in Brazil, scaled commercial operations across multiple agricultural markets, and invested in research and development to expand its product portfolio. CEO Adriano Vilas-Boas highlighted the partnership's success in positioning AgBiTech as a leader in sustainable biological crop protection solutions across key growing regions.
The sale to BASF Agricultural Solutions integrates AgBiTech into one of the world's largest agrochemical companies, providing access to BASF's established global distribution infrastructure, customer relationships, and resources for continued product development. The acquisition reflects broader industry consolidation around biological and sustainable crop protection technologies as agricultural markets increasingly prioritize environmental sustainability alongside pest management efficacy.
AgBiTech, founded in 2000 and based in Fort Worth, Texas, specializes in biological crop protection products that leverage naturally occurring viruses to control caterpillar pests in major row crops. The company serves commercial farming operations across row crop and specialty crop segments, protecting staples such as soybeans and corn while reducing environmental impact compared to synthetic chemical alternatives. AgBiTech operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Australia, and Brazil, enabling distribution across the Americas and other key agricultural markets.
Under Paine Schwartz's ownership, AgBiTech executed a strategy focused on geographic expansion, distribution network development, and innovation. The firm established direct-to-grower distribution capabilities in Brazil, scaled commercial operations across multiple agricultural markets, and invested in research and development to expand its product portfolio. CEO Adriano Vilas-Boas highlighted the partnership's success in positioning AgBiTech as a leader in sustainable biological crop protection solutions across key growing regions.
The sale to BASF Agricultural Solutions integrates AgBiTech into one of the world's largest agrochemical companies, providing access to BASF's established global distribution infrastructure, customer relationships, and resources for continued product development. The acquisition reflects broader industry consolidation around biological and sustainable crop protection technologies as agricultural markets increasingly prioritize environmental sustainability alongside pest management efficacy.
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