DuPont and Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited announced a global agreement to collaborate on the development, registration, and commercialization of protection products applied to crop seeds.
DowDuPont, the product of a recent merger, plans to spin off its agricultural operations into a separate company that will be based in Delaware. Prior to the merger, DuPont had to sell off some of its crop protection operations for antitrust reasons.
DowDuPont’s Pioneer is a leading seed company.
By combining the pipelines from Sumitomo Chemical with DuPont’s technology and capability, there is an opportunity to evaluate these technologies together, at much earlier stages, to understand the complementary characteristics of various product combinations. This early-stage collaboration will enhance current and future commercial products for seed-applied technologies, a release stated.
“Sumitomo Chemical has made significant investments in rhizosphere technology research to enhance seed protection and maximize early plant development through chemical and biological agrosolutions,” said Kimitoshi Umeda, associate officer and general manager, AgroSolutions Division-International at Sumitomo Chemical Company. “Partnering with DuPont affords the access to their advanced seed technology, and when evaluated in combination with our seed protection and enhancement solutions, will generate new opportunities to develop complementary and novel seed-applied technologies for growers around the world.”
“We are excited about this collaboration with Sumitomo Chemical. The Sumitomo Chemical portfolio and pipeline will complement the investments DuPont has made in discovery, development and commercialization of seed-applied products. Partnering with Sumitomo Chemical early in the development process enables us to create higher performing seed-applied products for our customers,” said Mick Messman, director, DuPont Seed Applied Technologies.
Collaborations between DuPont and Sumitomo Chemical’s regional affiliate, Valent U.S.A. LLC., will focus on the North American region with potential expansion opportunities to multiple crop markets globally, the release stated.
“This agreement exemplifies the power of collaboration by companies in the agriculture industry to bring growers the latest technology to improve their productivity,” added Umeda. “We look forward to future collaborations with DuPont, and to pursue them in the spirit of creativity and innovation on behalf of our customers.”
