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Home > News > Around The Industry > September 2008
Tessenderlo Kerley Acquires Agrochem
September 30, 2008
Phoenix, Arizona, US-based Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. (TKI) – a producer and marketer of fertilizers and crop protection chemicals – has acquired the assets, marketing, and distribution channels of Agrochem of Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey.
Bayer CropScience Receives Successful Practice Award
September 30, 2008
Bayer CropScience has been chosen by the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) to receive the Successful Practice Award as the company with the best targeted and efficient technology management in the sector in Europe, reports a company press release.
Nufarm Profits Increase 36%
September 30, 2008
Florida, US-based chemical supplier Nufarm has announced that its operating profits have come in at at a record US $163.9 million -- 36% higher than the previous year.
Syngenta Receives World Business and Development Award
September 30, 2008
Syngenta has received the 2008 World Business and Development Award (WBDA) for the development and successful introduction of a new sugar beet that can be grown under tropical climate conditions and brings significant advantages to farmers, the environment, the sugar and ethanol industries, and the economy, announced a company press release.
Syngenta Increases Research Land in Hawaii
September 25, 2008
Syngenta Hawaii LLC, part of Switzerland-based Syngenta Inc., has purchased 848 acres of land in Kunia, Hawaii, US, for $14 million. The land will be used to expand Syngenta’s corn and soybean seed research operations in the islands. Currently, the company operates on leased land adjacent to the newly purchased parcels. Hawaii's seed crop industry is valued at a record $146.3 million for the 2007 and 2008 season, up 42% from the same period the year before, according to the National Agriculture Statistics Service.
DuPont Names Kullman President, CEO
September 23, 2008
DuPont Co. named Ellen Kullman the company's new leader, said a company press release.
ADM to Collaborate on Crop-Based Plasticizers
September 23, 2008
Decatur-based grain-processing and ethanol giant Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) has agreed to collaborate with chemicals and polymer maker PolyOne Corp. on research to develop "bio-based" plasticizers based on agricultural crops such as corn and oilseeds.
Pioneer Chairman Honored With Achievement Award
September 23, 2008
In tribute to what the University Awards and Honors website calls “unusual distinction in their chosen fields or profession,” Des Moines, Iowa, US-based Pioneer Hi-Bred International Chairman Dean Oestreich received the University of Minnesota’s Outstanding Achievement Award.
GROWMARK Adds to Management Team
September 18, 2008
Canada-based regional agriculture cooperative GROWMARK, Inc. has announced the addition of four new members to its management team. Marshall Bohbrink, the coop’s treasurer, was named vice president, Risk Management and Treasurer; Kevin Carroll, who has held various positions with GROWMARK, including financial analyst, Energy operations manager, Business Analysis and Research director, and Northern Region manager, was named vice president, Energy.
DuPont Canada Names New Business Director
September 17, 2008
DuPont names new Canadian ag chem chief DuPont Crop Protection Canada has named Priscila Vansetti – formerly of DuPont’s Brazilian operations – as its new business director. Vansetti replaces Thor Cruse, who will become the strategic planning and marketing manager for North America for DuPont's parent company, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.
UPI CEO Retires
September 17, 2008
A company press release reports that United Phosphorus (UPI) CEO Peter Bromley has announced his retirement from the company; his North America administrative duties have been transitioned Jeffrey Allison, a veteran of UPI with more than 20 years of experience in U.S. crop protection.
Dow Acquires Two Seed Companies
September 16, 2008
Indiana, US-based Dow AgroSciences LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, has finalized the acquisition of Dairyland Seed Co., Inc., and Bio-Plant Research.
Syngenta: Top Management Changes To Come
September 16, 2008
At the end of 2008, Syngenta’s Regional Head Crop Protection Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME), Maercio Rezende, will retire.
Punjab Chemicals Looking For New Acquisitions
September 16, 2008
Agrochemical company Punjab Chemicals and Crop Protection Ltd. (PCCPL), scouting for acquisitions, has announced that it’s looking at 3 to 4 agrochemicals companies based in the US and Europe.
Turkey To Hold Chemistry Fair
September 15, 2008
TURKCHEM 2008, to be held in Instanbul from October 30 to November 2, 2008, will feature exhibitors showing a wide range of chemistry materials and technology. TURKCHEM 2008 will bring together manufacturers seeking more information on new products and looking to improve their product quality, as well as importers, sellers, and producers of raw and secondary materials.
Agrium To Offer US $500 Million Debentures
September 10, 2008
Canadian agricultural product and fertilizer firm Agrium Inc. will issue and sell $500-million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% debentures due January 15, 2019, according to PRNewswire. The debentures will only be offered and sold in the US.
Cargill Vice Chairman Retires
September 10, 2008
A Cargill press release has announced that Guillaume Bastiaens, 65, vice chairman of Cargill and member, Cargill Board of Directors, has retired after 41 years of service with the company.
Aceto Corp 4Q Profit Up 90%
September 9, 2008
Fourth quarter profits for US-based Aceto Corp., a distributor of chemicals and generic drugs, climbed 90% due to increased sales of Health Sciences products and weed killers.
Denys New Business Director for BASF Canada
September 9, 2008
BASF Canada has announced the appointment of Brian Denys as Business Director, BASF Canada Crop Protection.
Bayer CropScience Lays Out Plans Through 2012
September 9, 2008
Bayer CropScience is launching an extensive research program to seize the long-term opportunities for growth on the agricultural markets, according to the company, which is to invest a total of almost US $4.9 billion in the research and development (R&D) of innovative crop protection products and new solutions in seeds and plant biotechnology between 2008 and 2012.
EPA: Syngenta Seeds Fined For Pesticides Violations
September 9, 2008
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has settled with Syngenta Seeds, Inc. over allegations of violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
Syngenta: Seven New Products in Pipeline; Still Sees Sales Growth Slowing
September 9, 2008
Syngenta Corp. has seven products in its pipeline, which it expects to boost its crop protection segment's peak sales potential by US $2 billion between 2009-2012. However, the company expects sales growth to slow next year, Syngenta told Reuters. The 2008 year – expected to be the company’s best performance ever, thanks in part to booming crop prices – had such great demand during the first half that it drew down from inventories, giving it more effective capacity in 2008 than it will have next year. Chief Excecutive Mick Mack said established products such as fungicide Amistar and insecticide Actara/Cruiser still possess a "huge amount of additional growth potential;" however, he added: "We do not forecast the same growth for our company for next year." Mack stated the company's guidance for 2009 earnings per share (EPS) growth in the "high teens"; 2008 EPS growth forecast is 35%.
Chemtura Responds To Higher Costs With Higher Prices
September 9, 2008
Crop protection product producer Chemtura Corp., has announced that due to inflation and increased raw materials costs, as well as higher energy and transportation prices, it will increase prices on some items effective for shipments after Sept. 15 or as contracts allow.
Bayer Could Face Pfizer Takeover
September 9, 2008
Even though both chemical giants declined to comment, market speculation of a takeover bid of Germany-based Bayer from Pfizer in the US sent Bayer shares up nearly 4% on the German Stock Exchange. A bid for Bayer could run into billions of dollars, say market analysts.
Syngenta Gets R & D Heat-Tolerant Broccoli License
September 8, 2008
Syngenta has finalized agreements with R&D Ag, Inc., of Gilroy, California, US, to support development of heat-tolerant broccoli varieties. In the US, broccoli – a cool weather crop – is one of the top five vegetable crops in terms of acreage and value, with 2006 acreage of 140,000 acres and an estimated yield value of US $615 million. According to the agreement, Syngenta gets a license for R&D Ag’s patent on heat-tolerant broccoli. R & D Ag also gives Syngenta research rights and exclusive global marketing rights for joint broccoli hybrids combining R&D Ag’s heat tolerant germplasm with Syngenta-developed germplasm and technology.
Monsanto Wins Seed Piracy Case
September 3, 2008
A two-year dispute between Creve Coeur, Missouri, US-based Monsanto Co. and Pilot Grove Cooperative Elevator Inc. involving alleged patent infringement has been settled in favor of the biotech giant. Monsanto Co. claimed Pilot Grove growers had saved Monsanto’s biotech seeds for use in subsequent growing seasons, a practice that Monsanto vigoruously opposes and has tried to suppress. The company’s "seed police" pursue seed reuse cases; farmers receive warnings or are prosecuted. In Pilot Grove, Monsanto’s lawsuit accused the farm co-op of aiding the practice by cleaning seeds for use in future crops.
Explosion At Bayer CropScience Kills One
September 2, 2008
At approximately 10:25 pm on August 28, an explosion occurred at the Unit of the Bayer CropScience Plant in Institute, West Virginia, US.
Punjab Chemicals to Acquire 70% Stake in Parul Chemicals
September 2, 2008
India-based Punjab Chemicals & Crop Protection Ltd. has approved a proposal to acquire 70% stake in Parul Chemicals Ltd (Parul) Vadodara.
AGROTAIN International Opens Two New Fertilizer Facilities
September 2, 2008
According to a company press release, AGROTAIN International will open its new Stabilized Nitrogen Center and new St. Louis Urea Center on September 16.
AGROTAIN Launches Two State-of-the-Art Facilities
August 18, 2008
