Copenhagen, Denmark
April 25, 2012

• Exclusive expansion into new markets for JumpStart
• Integrated offer with Seed Care
• Sustainable solution for growers

Novozymes and Syngenta today announced a global agreement under which Syngenta will work with Novozymes to commercialize JumpStart technology, a seed-applied biological that increases phosphate solubilization in the soil. The two companies will jointly develop the market for JumpStart in combination with Syngenta’s seed care portfolio on arable crops, including cereals and corn. The agreement extends the geographical potential of JumpStart, currently sold mainly in North America, to the rest of the world.

Thomas Videbaek, Executive Vice President, Novozymes, comments: “Partnering with Syngenta supports Novozymes’ strategic goal to provide the world with natural and biological solutions to help farmers worldwide increase their yields to feed the world's growing population.”

Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient for the healthy growth of young plants. JumpStart is based on a unique fungus, Penicillium bilaii, which increases phosphate solubilization for uptake into the plant through the root system. The market potential for seed-applied technologies that increase phosphate use efficiency is estimated at over $100 million.

John Atkin, COO Syngenta, says: “We're pleased to enter into this agreement with Novozymes, which marks a further addition to our growing range of bioactives. Our seed care portfolio already offers best-in-class control of insects and diseases together with crop enhancement benefits. With the addition of JumpStart, growers will now gain the added advantage of improved phosphate efficiency.”

JumpStart, Penicillium bilaii, is a phosphate inoculant that grows along the root making more soil and fertilizer phosphate available to the plant to deliver healthier crops and higher net returns. JumpStart is available for corn, canola, wheat, legumes and other crops.

Website: http://www.syngenta.com

Published: April 25, 2012