December 13, 2006

DuPont forms joint venture in China to develop corn hybrids

Chemical company DuPont said its unit Pioneer Hi-Bred International has formed a joint venture with Chinese seed company Dunhuang Seed Company to expand sales of GM corn.

The new joint venture, to be called Dunhuang Seed Pioneer Hi-Bred Company will develop and distribute high-yielding corn hybrids.

DuPont's Pioneer Hi-Bred International unit, based in Des Moines, Iowa, formed its first joint venture in China with Shandong Denghai Pioneer Seeds in 2002.

The latest venture was part of a broader DuPont commitment to growing its presence in China, said Douglas Muzyka, president of DuPont Greater China and DuPont China Holding, in a statement.