DuPont Innovations to Help Agriculture Meet Global Challenges

R&D Leaders: Advanced Seed Products, Biofuels, and Biomaterials Just the Beginning

TAMPA, Fla., March 1, 2007 – Science and innovations are ushering in a new era for agriculture as the world searches for sustainable solutions to the biggest challenges facing the globe, said DuPont research and development leaders at the national meeting of U.S. corn, soybean, and wheat farmer associations.

"Innovation at DuPont is accelerating. Connecting customer-driven market insight with our technology capabilities is proving to be the difference," said Thomas M. Connelly, DuPont executive vice president and chief innovation officer, at the 2007 Commodity Classic.

"The incredible productivity gains we are seeing from advanced plant breeding and biotechnology today is only just the beginning," said William Niebur, vice president - DuPont Crop Genetics Research and Development.

"By applying cutting-edge science across the biofuel value chain, we will be able to help farmers more than double the gallons of ethanol produced from an acre of corn - 600 gallons from grain and 200 gallons from stover - within the next 10 years," said Niebur.

In addition to increasing ethanol output through plant genetics and cellulosic ethanol, DuPont is also developing advanced biofuels that will also be produced from agricultural products. Yesterday, DuPont partner Broin Companies was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to receive up to $80 million in federal funding over the next four years to bring cellulosic ethanol to market. DuPont is developing the technology that Broin will use in its Emmetsburg, Iowa biorefinery. This follows a visit by President George W. Bush last month to the company’s Wilmington, Del. research facilities to tour DuPont’s leading-edge biofuels R&D and commercialization programs.

DuPont has also partnered with BP to bring biobutanol, the first advanced biofuel to market. In addition, the company has also developed a new polymer, DuPont™ Sorona®, that will soon be made from renewable resources such as corn. Sorona® was introduced in 2000 primarily for use in fiber applications, including apparel and carpeting.

DuPont has launched an average of more than 1,000 new products or new product applications in each of the past three years, commercializing over 1,100 new products or new product applications in 2006.

"We are putting innovations to work for customers across many industries including agriculture,” said Connelly. "The opportunities to tackle the global challenges for food, feed, fuel and materials with DuPont science are fantastic."

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.

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3/1/07

Contacts:
Pat Arthur
515-334-6515

Michelle Reardon
302-774-7447

Additional Information:

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