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Media Release

Syngenta and DuPont announce crop protection technology exchange

Basel, Switzerland and Wilmington, Delaware, USA, 23 February 2006

Syngenta and DuPont today announced an agreement that will broaden each company’s crop protection product offer.

• Syngenta acquires an exclusive worldwide license to develop DuPont’s new insecticide Rynaxypyr™ in mixtures with its own leading insect control products. Rynaxypyr™ is a chemical of the bisamide class characterized by unique systemic properties and outstanding activity on all major lepidoptera pests. DuPont will continue its commercialization plan for straight Rynaxypyr™.
  
  
• DuPont Crop Protection acquires worldwide rights to Syngenta’s strobilurin fungicide picoxystrobin, sold as Acanto®, including access to companion products used in mixtures. Acanto® is currently marketed in Europe on cereals and will be expanded for use on soybeans in Latin America.

The transactions are subject to certain national regulatory approvals. Financial terms were not disclosed.

John Atkin, Chief Operating Officer, Syngenta Crop Protection, said: “This agreement gives Syngenta access to a novel class of chemistry that will set new standards in lepidoptera control. Combinations of Rynaxypyr™ with our modern insecticides will provide new broad-spectrum solutions in the global insecticide market estimated at around $7 billion. First launches are targeted for 2009. We shall continue to expand our industry-leading position in fungicides led by Amistar® and its range of combination products.”

James C. Collins, Vice President and General Manager of DuPont Crop Protection, commented: “These agreements further enhance our position in the global fungicide market estimated at around $ 7 billion. With picoxystrobin, DuPont fills a gap and gains access to major fungicide customers and markets in the EU, Latin America and later in the United States. In insecticides, the agreement we have reached with Syngenta will allow us to expand and accelerate the market potential for our new cutting edge technology.”

Syngenta – 23 February 2006 / Page 1 of 2

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Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2005 were approximately $8.1 billion. Syngenta employs more than 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.

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.

Syngenta Media:		Switzerland:		Guy Wolff		Tel: +41 (61) 323 2323
		USA:		Sarah Hull		Tel: +1 (202) 628 2372
		UK:		Andrew Coker		Tel: +44 (1483) 26 0014
Syngenta Analysts:		Switzerland:		Jonathan Seabrook		Tel: +41 (61) 323 7502
				Jennifer Gough		Tel: +41 (61) 323 5059
		USA:		Rhonda Chiger		Tel: +1 (917) 322 2569
DuPont Media:		USA:		Gabrielle King		Tel: +1 (302) 999 5393
DuPont Analysts:		USA:		David Peet		Tel: +1 (302) 774 1125

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as ‘expect’, ‘would’, ‘will’, ‘potential’, ‘plans’, ‘prospects’, ‘estimated’, ‘aiming’, ‘on track’ and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefor.

 

Syngenta – 23 February 2006 / page 2 of 2