New York, New York
February 12, 2008
Better corn insect control
system, higher soybean yields, broader seed business reach in
Brazil
DuPont Group Vice President
J. Erik Fyrwald today announced a new insect control system for
its seed corn product line, a new platform of soybean technology
that will deliver a 40 percent increase in yield over the next
decade, and a second seed corn brand for Brazil at the Goldman
Sachs 12th annual Agricultural Biotech Forum.
Better Corn Insect Control System|
The new insect control system, Optimum® AcreMax™, will provide
corn growers with improved productivity by increasing the number
of acres farmers can plant to the industry’s most advanced
insect control options. The first of several Optimum® AcreMax™
products will be launched as early as 2009, pending regulatory
approval.
“The Optimum® AcreMax™ system will use a unique combination of
proven technologies to deliver the best products for maximum
yield, convenience, and ultimately refuge reduction,” Fyrwald
said.
Higher Yielding Soybeans
“We expect our proprietary technologies coupled with native and
biotech traits will result in a 40 percent yield increase in the
next 10 years,” Fyrwald said. “This is going to extend our
number one brand position in soybeans for many years to come.”
Fyrwald explained that the yield increase will come from a
convergence of its proprietary Accelerated Yield Technology™,
the Optimum® GAT® herbicide tolerance trait, and biotech yield
traits built upon superior base genetics.
New Corn Seed Brand for Brazil
Fyrwald also announced plans for DuPont to expand its market
share lead in Brazil through the launch of a second seed brand
by its Pioneer Hi-Bred business. The new BioGene™ brand will
enable Pioneer to extend its reach to a segment of Brazilian
farmers who do not choose to buy premium, high-technology seed
for which the Pioneer® brand is known.
“The BioGene™ brand allows us to deliver increased value to more
farmers while keeping the Pioneer® brand focused on a segment
where we have undisputed leadership,” Fyrwald said.
Pioneer has been investing in research and development of corn
hybrids well suited for this segment of the market. The BioGene™
brand will have its own sales force, separate from Pioneer. Its
products will be distributed through a separate network of
dealers and co-ops.
The launch of BioGene™ comes at a time when Pioneer is recording
impressive gains in Brazil. In 2007 the DuPont business recorded
a corn sales volume increase of 52 percent and a market share
gain of eight points. “The Pioneer support structure provides a
huge advantage for BioGene™ over its competitors, and results in
economies of scale,” Fyrwald said.
2008 Outlook for DuPont Ag & Nutrition
“The growth fundamentals in global agriculture markets are
outstanding and our business intends to capitalize on that,”
Fyrwald said. “We have high-performing products and strong,
growing global market positions. We are bringing new, superior
performing products to market at an accelerating rate.”
The DuPont Agriculture & Nutrition segment posted a 14 percent
gain in revenue in 2007. That gain was partially driven by
stronger seed sales from the company’s Pioneer Hi-Bred business.
Pioneer reported a record 40 percent increase in fourth quarter
seed sales over the same period in 2006.
“Our investments in seed around the globe are paying off with
consistent market share gains in Latin America, Europe, Asia and
Africa,” Fyrwald said.
He added that the Agriculture & Nutrition business segment is on
track to deliver double-digit earnings growth in 2008 and into
the foreseeable future. Fyrwald’s presentation is available in
the DuPont Investor Center at
www.dupont.com.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company.
Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating
sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier
life 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.
The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, and
Optimum® AcreMax™, Accelerated Yield Technology™, Optimum® GAT®,
BioGene™ and Pioneer® are registered trademarks or trademarks of
DuPont or its affiliates. |
|
