Des Moines, Iowa
December 28, 2006
DuPont met an important milestone toward the
commercialization of its proprietary high oleic soybean oil
trait today by completing its U.S. regulatory submissions for
approval of the trait. This keeps the Bunge DuPont Biotech
Alliance on track for commercialization of products containing
the trait by 2009.
The high oleic soybean oil trait is the next generation of
healthy oil traits developed by DuPont, through its subsidiary
Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
Inc., as part of a partnership with Bunge. This trait will
provide valuable benefits to food processors and industrial
customers beyond those available today through TREUS(TM) Low
Linolenic Soybean Oil and other low linolenic soybean oils on
the market. Like low linolenic soybean oil, high oleic soybean
oil eliminates the need for hydrogenation, resulting in foods
with negligible amounts of trans fats.
"This is a significant step for DuPont and for food companies
looking for further improved oils," said Dean Oestreich, Pioneer
president. "These regulatory submissions keep us on track for
commercialization of products beginning in 2009 and allow us to
build on the success we've had developing products to meet
consumer demand for healthier foods."
Dick Goodman, senior vice president and general manager, Bunge
Oils, said, "This important milestone reflects the Bunge DuPont
Biotech Alliance commitment to continually research and develop
innovative oils for our food customers. With high oleic
soybeans, we can build on the success of our low linolenic
soybean program to ensure we provide customers a wide range of
trans fat alternatives."
DuPont submitted regulatory information on the high oleic oil
trait to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration.
High oleic soybean oil will offer more stability than mid oleic
soybean oil being developed by other companies. High oleic
soybean oil will provide food companies with improved frying
performance while reducing or eliminating trans fatty acids in
their products.
Its high stability in industrial and transportation settings
will also offer functional characteristics that allow companies
to develop renewable, environmentally sustainable options to
petroleum-based products.
"We are very excited to bring products to market that will help
meet the growing demand for healthy oils and provide valuable
contracting opportunities for farmers," said Oestreich. "High
oleic soybeans will be the next product commercialized from our
pipeline full of soybean oil traits."
The high oleic soybean oil produced from Pioneer(R) brand
soybean varieties will be marketed as TREUS(TM) High Oleic
Soybean Oil. The TREUS(TM) brand name represents the
industry-leading family of soy products developed as part of the
alliance between DuPont and Bunge that deliver enhanced
nutrition, sustainability and functionality.
DuPont also announced earlier this fall the completion of its
U.S. regulatory submissions for approval of the Optimum(TM)
GAT(TM) trait in soybeans. For additional information on the
traits and technologies in the rich DuPont crop genetics
pipeline, visit pioneer.com.
The Bunge DuPont Biotech Alliance was formed in 2003 to
continue research and commercialize value-added soybean output
traits developed through DuPont and Pioneer soybean research and
marketed through Bunge North America.
Bunge North America,
the North American operating arm of Bunge Limited (NYSE: BG), is
a vertically integrated food and feed ingredient company,
supplying raw and processed agricultural commodities and
specialized food ingredients to a wide range of customers in the
livestock, poultry, food processor, foodservice and bakery
industries. With headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, Bunge
North America and its subsidiaries operate grain elevators,
oilseed processing plants, edible oil refineries and packaging
facilities, and corn dry mills in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is
the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers,
livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded
in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to better, safer, healthier lives for people
everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a
wide range of innovative products and services for markets
including agriculture and food; building and construction;
communications; and transportation.
Pioneer(R), Optimum(TM), GAT(TM) and TREUS(TM) are trademarks of
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. |