Ashurst advises Bosch on the establishment of a joint venture with BASF for digital technologies in the agricultural sector

Ashurst advised Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch) on the establishment of a joint venture with BASF Digital Farming (BASF) for digital technologies in the agricultural sector.

Bosch and BASF have signed a 50:50 joint venture agreement to globally market and sell smart farming solutions from a single source in the future. The agreement, signed on 10 November 2020, is to be followed by a new company to be founded in the first quarter of 2021 with headquarters in Cologne, Germany. The foundation is subject to the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities. 

Bosch brings to the joint venture significant capability in hardware and software, as well as digital services. BASF Digital Farming with its xarvio™ Digital Farming Solutions provides an automated, real-time, field specific agronomic decision-making engine for weed management that is powered by the digital xarvio platform for crop optimization. Combining the expertise of both companies, with state-of-the-art hardware and software solutions, will make it easier and more convenient for farmers to benefit from digital solutions.

The Ashurst team was led by counsel Dr Ian M. Maywald. He was assisted by counsel Volker Germann and Associate Armin Müller (all Corporate, Munich). Counsel Dr Fabian Klein advised on IP law, counsel François Maartens Heynike on IT related questions. Counsel Bernd C. Bäumer advised together with associate Anja Bode in real estate law (all Frankfurt). Counsel Dr Maria Held advised on cartel and competition law (Munich).

The inhouse team from Bosch comprised Frauke Ahnefeld, Matthias Geiger and Dennis Dold.