Botanical Resources Australia

Leading the world in natural insect control

From Tasmanian paddocks to global impact

To understand Botanical Resources Australia (BRA) and how it became the world’s leading producer of natural pyrethrins, you have to start with the soil – the rich red earth of Tasmania’s North-West Coast.

It’s here, at BRA’s operational base in Ulverstone, that BRA cultivates the humble pyrethrum daisy, a small white flower that packs a powerful punch. These daisies contain pyrethrins, a natural compound used globally as a safe, plant-based insecticide. For over 30 years, this region has provided the perfect environment – fertile ground, cool coastal air, and farming expertise — to produce some of the highest quality pyrethrum in the world.

How it all began

The story starts in the 1980s and 1990s, when pyrethrum cultivation was pioneered and first took hold in Tasmania. The industry showed enormous promise, but when its original operator decided to exit the business, a l group of determined people saw an opportunity to keep the dream alive.

In 1996, through a management buyout, Botanical Resources Australia was born, and from that moment, the company was driven by one goal: to build a world-class, business that could stand on its own focused on scientific excellence, strong relationships with local growers and global customers.

They invested in farming, research and development (R&D), and processing; slowly but surely, a new kind of Tasmanian success story took shape.

Growth rooted in innovation

Over the next three decades, BRA built state-of-the-art facilities in Ulverstone, producing natural pyrethrins for export to markets across the globe improving people's lives and environments. The business has since grown into the world’s largest producer of pyrethrins, employing over 100 full-time staff along with seasonal harvest workers.

But it’s not just the scale that’s impressive, it’s the science. BRA’s dedicated focus on research and development has become the engine of its success, pushing boundaries of innovation to enhance pyrethrum production from the paddock through to the customer.

Collaborations with universities, PhD students, and agricultural scientists have ensured that BRA remains at the forefront of natural pyrethrins production, while maintaining its commitment to local jobs and Tasmanian farming.

BRA proves that you don’t have to be in a city to lead the world. You need the right people, the right ideas, and a bit of Tasmanian grit.

A truly global reach

Today, BRA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical and exports high-quality, technical grade pyrethrins from Tasmania to Oceania, , Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America, where they’re used in pest control solutions across various market segments including household, home & garden, animal health, professional pest control, and agriculture to improve people’s lives and environments.

Natural Pyrethrins are safe for humans and mammals, break down quickly in the environment, and meet some of the strictest regulatory standards in the world. Botanical Resources Australia is a trusted name across continents — and a proud representative of Tasmanian excellence on the world stage.

A company that keeps giving back

Despite its global success, BRA remains deeply connected to its roots. Most of its workforce lives right here on the Central Coast, and many of the local growers and their families who began with the company decades ago are still part of its story today.

The business continues to invest in local training and R&D partnerships ensuring the next generation of Tasmanian innovators can grow their careers right here at home.

From humble beginnings to a global powerhouse, BRA’s story is one of vision, resilience, and unwavering belief in what Tasmania and her people can achieve.