DuPont to Increase Speed to Market for New Seed Technology

New Facilities to Help Bring Better Products to Customers Faster

DES MOINES, Iowa, Aug. 17, 2006 -- DuPont today announced plans to expand two of its North America seed research facilities as part of an effort to increase the speed at which the company can bring better products with the latest technologies to its farmer customers.

"We're using cutting edge science, not just for developing products, but to bring those new innovations to the customer faster," said Bill Niebur, vice president, DuPont Crop Genetics Research and Development. "Increasing our speed to market is one way we're going to beat the competition, but more importantly, it means our customers will enjoy the benefits sooner."

DuPont subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., will build a 12,000 sq. ft. expansion of its greenhouse complex in Johnston, Iowa, to house a proprietary process for testing new traits in corn plants that shaves months off the time it takes to generate critical performance data. The new greenhouse space is expected to be ready for use in January 2007.

The company also announced a 16,000 sq. ft. expansion of the Pioneer Research Center in Princeton, Ind., that will allow for increased field screening capabilities for corn. Pioneer already has the most extensive global network of research centers in the world. Earlier this year, the company announced a new research center in Brookings, S.D.

"Pioneer has a very robust research pipeline and we continue to increase our research investment to find new products and new ways to bring those products to our customers faster," said Niebur.

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. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. 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.

Contact:
Pat Arthur
515-334-6515

SOURCE: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.