Success story

Duochem – innovation versus mosquitoes

Within Nova Pazova’s industrial zone, one can easily find the production plant of Belgrade-based company “Duochem”. For over a decade, this enterprise has been successfully engaged in production of modern and efficient biocides – rodenticides and insecticides. Duochem’s ongoing project named “Ecologically Friendly Biocide” – now approaching a mature development phase – was granted support from the Innovation Fund through the IF’s first Matching Grant Program cycle. The project revolves around a new type of biocide that is aimed at destroying mosquito larvae located in still water surfaces, and is based on a specific carrier with a controlled release mechanism of the biocide’s active ingredient.

The company was founded back in 2000 with the goal of channeling the applied research performed by PhD Suren Husinec – scientific adviser to the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy (IHTM), Belgrade University – into tangible commercial results. This basically means that Duochem was built on the foundation of research and development, new materials and modern production technologies from the very beginning. The end result is a long term business perspective and sustainability based on constant exporting of most of the company’s production.

Another trait specific for this company is the fact that, besides standard formulation of final products, Duochem also handles synthesis of active ingredients, i.e. basic components. This integration of the entire process reflects the high technological level of production and comprehensive knowledge, know-how and experience of Mr. Husinec as the team leader and all of his 15 diligent and devoted employees alike. The plant where both the production process and everyday research constantly take place also possesses a complete set of necessary legal permits, ISO standards and ecological quality certificates, thereby satisfying the IPPC directive defined by the EU.

Current results have been achieved through intensive investment into R&D, a feat which was facilitated through synergy between Duochem and leading research institutions, primarily the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy and Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, but also numerous other public research entities in Serbia.

For years, Duochem has been successfully selling its products on various markets – the region, EU countries, former USSR, North Africa, Arab nations. The company’s potential, both in terms of production and further research and development, was recognized earlier this year by an international enterprise from Belgium and a strategic partnership was established. Through this cooperation, Duochem’s products are now being commercialized globally either under the “Duochem” brand or that of their strategic partner.

All efforts undertaken on the new project have thus far generated results which testify to a product with excellent efficiency and vast market potential. Formulation of the product has been mastered, as well as the composition of its components; product stability and efficiency in controlled laboratory conditions were tested and confirmed. After that, the company conducted a simulation of real environment efficacy and completed necessary preparations, including a portion of equipment for production of semi-industrial quantities. These activities were implemented in cooperation with IHTM and Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, and the company is now organizing production of quantities needed to perform field tests planned for spring 2014.

In spite of the product’s current phase of development but having in mind its high ecological component, foreign buyers from Italy, Greece, France, Montenegro and the US have already expressed interest in Duochem’s new offering.  Although not originally planned for, these interested parties will be provided with product samples in spring 2014 to confirm the biocide’s efficacy. According to Duochem, none of the interested parties raised the issue of the product’s final cost, indicating that the market is ready to pay a premium for quality, innovative and ecologically-friendly products.