Syngenta and DuPont Announce Crop Protection Technology Exchange

BASEL, Switzerland and WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 23, 2006 -- Syngenta and DuPont today announced an agreement that will broaden each company's crop protection product offer.

-- Syngenta acquires an exclusive worldwide license to develop DuPont's new insecticide Rynaxypyr™ in mixtures with its own leading insect control products. Rynaxypyr™ is a chemical of the bisamide class characterized by unique systemic properties and outstanding activity on all major lepidoptera pests. DuPont will continue its commercialization plan for straight Rynaxypyr™.

-- DuPont Crop Protection acquires worldwide rights to Syngenta's strobilurin fungicide picoxystrobin, sold as Acanto®, including access to companion products used in mixtures. Acanto® is currently marketed in Europe on cereals and will be expanded for use on soybeans in Latin America.

The transactions are subject to certain national regulatory approvals. Financial terms were not disclosed.

John Atkin, Chief Operating Officer, Syngenta Crop Protection, said: "This agreement gives Syngenta access to a novel class of chemistry that will set new standards in lepidoptera control. Combinations of Rynaxypyr™ with our modern insecticides will provide new broad-spectrum solutions in the global insecticide market estimated at around $7 billion. First launches are targeted for 2009. We shall continue to expand our industry-leading position in fungicides led by Amistar® and its range of combination products."

James C. Collins, Vice President and General Manager of DuPont Crop Protection, commented: "These agreements further enhance our position in the global fungicide market estimated at around $7 billion. With picoxystrobin, DuPont fills a gap and gains access to major fungicide customers and markets in the EU, Latin America and later in the United States. In insecticides, the agreement we have reached with Syngenta will allow us to expand and accelerate the market potential for our new cutting edge technology."

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2005 were approximately $8.1 billion. Syngenta employs more than 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).

DuPont is a science 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, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in DuPont's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions of countries in which the company does business; competitive pressures; successful integration of structural changes, including acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; research and development of new products, including regulatory approval and market acceptance, and seasonality of sales of agricultural products.

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SOURCE: DuPont