日本経済新聞 2003/2/11

米大企業再生 デュポン 買収で知的財産強化

 1月末、デュポンは米エンジニアリング大手ストラトコの一部門を買収した。石油の精製工程で硫酸などの副産物を取り出すプラントの設計事業だ。製油所などを顧客とする精製サービス部門の幹部、ジェームズ・ポーロスキ氏は「石油精製業者が抱える問題を総合的に解決できる」と買収の狙いを説明する。
 デュポンは1990年代に石油大手コノコ(現コノコフィリップス)を分離・売却し、石油精製から撤退した。だが、脱硫技術など環境対策を石油精製業者に提供する事業には力を入れている。化学プラントの運営で培ったノウハウが生きるからだ。この部門の売上高は昨年2500万ドルだったが、2006年には1億ドルに引き上げる。
 米国を代表する製造業、デュポンはこうしたコンサルティング会社の顔も持つ。專任は約100人のベテラン社員だけだが、塗料や電子部品など各事業部門と連携、顧客に製品だけでなく技術サービスを売り込む。
 フォード・モーターのカナダ・オンタリオ州の組み立て工場は、塗料の使用量を削減できる技術を導入した。もともとデュポンの工場で使っていた技術で、塗装に要するコストが4年間で35%減った。半導体大手テキサス・インスツルメンツはデュポンの危険物管理手法を採用、労働災害発生率を3分の1にした。
 技術サービスを強化するのは、デフレ下に製品を販売するだけでは成長に限界があるからだ。昨年の全社売上高は前年比3%減の245億2200万ドル(約2兆9400億円)。主力製品である塗料、電子材料、高機能樹脂などの販売量は増えたが、価格下落で減収となった。 「技術やノウハウなど社内に蓄積した知的財産(知財)を売る」。チャールズ・ホリデー会長兼最高経営責任者は新路線をこう表現する。最先端技術まで含む広義の知財が、製品やサービスの形となって収益に貢献するという考え方だ。長期的には米国の潜在成長率3%の2倍、年6%の増収を目標にする。
 事業の組み替えも「知財競争力」の有無が、ひとつの物差しになる。例えば、医薬品は年15億ドルの売上高があったが、業界30位前後では世界トップ級の開発力を獲得できないと見切りをつけて売却した。過去5年間の事業売却総額は298億ドル。一方で買収に177億ドルを投じ、事業組み替えを急ぐ。
 年内には売上高の4分の1を占める繊維事業を分離する。1938年にナイロンを開発、合成繊維時代を切り開いた伝統部門だが、中国などとの価格競争で採算が悪化した。「最も難しい決断」(ホリデー会長)だったが、開発費削減で新たな知財を生み出せない事業と割り切った。
 利益面では成果が表れ始めた。昨年の純利益は会計基準変更の影響を除くと18億4100万ドル。前年の医薬品部門売却益を除いて比較すると、ほぼ4倍増だった。
 だが、株式市場はまだ疑心暗鬼だ。調査会社バリューエンジンによると、現在の株価は収益力などから割り出した理論値を24%下回り、かい離幅はダウ・ケミカルなどより大きい。
 焦点は買収で強化された知財がいつ新製品として結実するかだ。昨年の研究開発費は前年比8%増の13億ドル。ホリデー会長は「バイオ技術を使った電子回路など、衝撃的な新製品が次々と出てくる」と予告している。

 

デュポンの事業再構築(1997年以降、単位億ドル)

売却・分離 買収
・石油大手コノコ(1997年)   220
   
・医薬品部門(2001年)   178
   
・繊維部門(2003年中)   未定
・大豆たんぱく会社プロテイン・
 テクノロジー(1997年)
   15
・英ICIのポリエステルフィルム
 部門(1998年)
   30
・医薬品合弁の米メルク持ち分
 (1998年)
   26
・独ヘキスト傘下の塗料会社
 (1999年)
   19
・種子会社パイオニア・ハイブ
 レッド(1999年)
   77
・有機ディスプレー会社ユニアッ
 クス(2000年)           
   10
   
 合  計               298
 合  計                   177

 


2003/11/4 DuPont

DuPont to Locate Asia Pacific Research & Development Center in Shanghai
 http://www1.dupont.com/NASApp/dupontglobal/corp/index.jsp?page=/news/releases/2003/nr11_04_03a.html

DuPont today announced it will construct a $15 million corporate research and development (R&D) facility near Shanghai to support growth in the Asia Pacific region.

Globally, DuPont has more than 75 R&D facilities with over 40 in the United States and more than 35 in 11 other nations. The Shanghai research and development (R&D) center will be the third major research facility for DuPont outside the United States; the others are in Switzerland and Japan.

The Shanghai center will accommodate up to 200 scientists and will include laboratories, offices and high-ceiling process bays for product application and development.

DuPont, Chinese, and Shanghai officials today joined more than 100 guests at the groundbreaking event in Zhangjiang High-Tech Park located in the Pudong New District near Shanghai. The facility is expected to open in early 2005.

"The Asia Pacific region, especially China, provides unique growth opportunities for DuPont," said Chief Science and Technology Officer Thomas M. Connelly. "The new research and development center has been specifically designed to meet the increasing demand of emerging DuPont technologies and products in the region. The Shanghai center will serve as a haven for developing new technology solutions through application development, knowledge transfer, technical collaboration and new product development ? all contributing to DuPont's growth in China and across the Asia Pacific region."

The facility also will be the focal point for developing collaborative relationships with leading universities and scientific academies in China and throughout the Asia Pacific region. For example, in the United States, DuPont and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have formed a unique collaborative effort ? called the DuPont-MIT Alliance - that advances research and education in materials and biotechnology that have a variety of applications.

DuPont invests $1.2 billion a year on global research and development in a diverse range of technologies for a broad scope of markets, ranging from electronics to agriculture. Today, DuPont has more than 5,100 scientists and engineers around the world

DuPont started its business in China in the mid-1980s. The registration of DuPont China Holding Company Limited in Shenzhen in 1989, the first wholly owned entity of the company, marked the beginning of its ongoing business investment in the country. Today, DuPont China has 23 wholly owned or joint venture manufacturing facilities in the country. Its products and services cover diversified markets in the agricultural, food and nutrition, electronics, chemicals, textiles, and automotive industries. DuPont has invested more than $700 million in China, where it employs more than 3,000 people.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

 


December 01, 2003 DuPont

DuPont Takes Actions to Achieve USD 900 Million Annualized Cost Improvement in 2005
 http://www1.dupont.com/NASApp/dupontglobal/corp/index.jsp?page=/content/US/en_US/news/daily/2003/dn12_01_03.html

DuPont today announced that it will take aggressive actions to ensure its global competitiveness as a more focused, science- based company following the separation of INVISTATM. Included are productivity and organizational actions that will achieve a USD 900 million cost improvement in 2005. In addition, the company will undertake actions that strengthen its ability to achieve 6 percent annual revenue growth - a key objective in its ongoing transformation to become a sustainable growth company.

DuPont is taking these actions to remain competitive in an environment defined by sustained high-energy costs, increased global competitive intensity, and a customer base that is shifting toward emerging economies, said DuPont Chairman and CEO Chad Holliday.

"With the anticipated sale of INVISTA, DuPont will be a smaller company with the potential for higher growth and profitability," he said. "But unlocking that potential means doing things differently. If we are to meet our earnings growth objectives - which we will - we cannot support the complexity and cost entailed by diverse and specialized organizations and processes. The actions we are announcing today are necessary to ensure the near- and long-term competitiveness of DuPont. These are difficult decisions because they impact people, and we will enact them with sensitivity and respect."

The company expects its actions to yield USD 450 million cost improvement in 2004, and the full USD 900 million in 2005. Cost improvements targeted for 2004 will essentially offset residual costs from the separation of INVISTA and other expected fixed cost increases, thus allowing the full measure of the company's 2004 volume and price improvement to benefit operating earnings. A portion of the fixed cost savings will come from work force reductions.

The company will publicly disclose information on the number of position eliminations and any restructuring charges in its first quarter 2004 earnings release on April 27, 2004.

DuPont will take the following actions:

Reduce Costs from INVISTA Separation.
  DuPont will realize a total of USD 200 million in fixed cost reductions to offset residual costs from the anticipated separation of INVISTA. USD 100 million will be realized in 2004, and the full USD 200 million in 2005.
   
Leverage and Strengthen Infrastructure.
  DuPont will leverage and center its staff functions, support services, and manufacturing operations broadly, including corporate costs. The details of these organizational actions will be refined over the next 8 weeks. These actions will capitalize on the operating synergies achievable as "one DuPont", and will facilitate standardization of systems and processes across the company. This more leveraged approach to staff and support services will also strengthen functional capabilities and enable commercial leaders to more fully focus on customers, markets and growth. Infrastructure actions are expected to achieve USD 250 million in fixed cost reduction in 2004, and the full USD 500 million in 2005.
   
Improve variable margin.
  Actions to improve variable margins include consolidating product lines by at least 20 percent. These simplifications will enable accelerated progress in yield and uptime improvement, sourcing and energy management. The company also will devote more Six Sigma projects to margin improvement, and will optimize assets following product line consolidations. These actions are expected to realize a USD 100 million variable margin improvement in 2004, and the full USD 200 million improvement in 2005 - mainly through cost reduction.
   
Improve Growth Capabilities.
  Recognizing that its leadership and functional expertise is concentrated in the United States and Western Europe, DuPont will rebalance resources towards emerging markets, where much of its growth will occur in the coming years. Initial focus will be on China, where the company already has a strong base. Other areas of interest include Central & Eastern Europe and Brazil. Separately, DuPont has undertaken to comprehensively and systematically improve its marketing and sales capabilities across its businesses, and to center and strengthen its marketing and sales support functions. These actions, combined with the ongoing R&D revitalization process that is already in place, will strengthen the company's ability to consistently achieve its 6 percent revenue growth targets.

"With the separation of INVISTA, DuPont enters the next chapter of its transformation. In essence, we are launching a new DuPont," Chad said. "We have a lot of change ahead of us - difficult, trying, yet ultimately gratifying change. As we take on this challenge, it is important to remember what stays the same. We are a science company. We will achieve sustainable growth through the integrated application of superior science; by getting paid for what we know; and by pursuing productivity with a passion."


January 12, 2004 DuPont

DuPont Announces Organizational Alignment to Drive Growth
http://www1.dupont.com/NASApp/dupontglobal/corp/index.jsp?page=/news/releases/2004/nr01_12_04a.html

DuPont today announced that it is aligning its organizational structure to implement the customer- and market-focused growth and productivity actions announced on Dec. 1, 2003.

"This alignment will greatly enhance our ability to deliver over $1 billion in revenue growth every year, said DuPont Chairman and CEO Charles O. Holliday, Jr. "By streamlining our internal structure and leveraging functional capabilities, we will enable our businesses to focus on meeting the needs of customers wherever they are in the world. We will fully capitalize on the global scope and scale of DuPont to win in the marketplace and achieve our mission of sustainable growth."

As part of the organizational alignment, which involves all businesses, regions and functions, the following senior leaders will have new or expanded assignments:

John C. Hodgson, executive vice president, is named to the newly created position of Chief Marketing & Sales Officer. Hodgson is leading the company's marketing and sales effectiveness processes and capability building programs across businesses worldwide.

Craig G. Naylor, group vice president - DuPont Performance Materials, is appointed to the newly created position of
group vice president - Asia Pacific. He is accountable for DuPont growth in Asia with special emphasis on China and India. While Naylor will be based in Wilmington, he will spend significant periods of time in the Asia Pacific region.

Jeffrey L. Keefer, vice president and general manager - DuPont Titanium Technologies, is appointed group vice president - DuPont Performance Materials, succeeding Naylor.

James C. Borel, vice president and general manager - DuPont Crop Protection, is appointed senior vice president -
DuPont Global Human Resources. Borel will lead the company's global human resources strategy in support of overall growth objectives.

To strengthen its presence in high-growth emerging economies, the company has created the following positions:

Thomas G. Powell, global business director - DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers is appointed president - DuPont Greater China. He will be based in Shanghai.

Henrique H. Ubrig, president - DuPont South America, is appointed president -
DuPont India/Pakistan. He will be located in New Delhi.

Eduardo W. Wanick, president - DuPont Mexico, is appointed president of the newly established
DuPont Latin America Region, which includes South America, Central America and Mexico. He is based in Mexico City.

"Our five growth platforms will remain the organizing structure for all DuPont businesses," Holliday said. "Our business leaders are accountable for the strategic direction, growth and profitability of their businesses, tapping into DuPont resources from manufacturing, science and technology, marketing and sales, staff functions and support services to meet customer and market needs."

The company announced the following leadership changes in its strategic business units:

David G. Bills, vice president and general manager - DuPont Displays, will add responsibility for DuPont Fluoroproducts, effective Feb. 15. He will succeed Richard J. Angiullo, who is retiring at the end of February.

James C. Collins, global sales director - DuPont Crop Protection, is appointed vice president and general manager - DuPont Crop Protection, succeeding Borel.

Dean C. Oestreich, vice president and business director - Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., is appointed president of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. and vice president and general manager - DuPont. Oestreich succeeds Richard L. McConnell, who has elected to retire.

Sam W. Severance, global manufacturing director - DuPont Titanium Technologies, is appointed vice president and general manager - DuPont Titanium Technologies, succeeding Keefer.

In addition, the company announced that Robert E. Giblin is appointed vice president - Business Finance; and Ann K. M. Gualtieri, vice president - DuPont Investor Relations, adds responsibility for Corporate Plans.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.


March 05, 2004 デュポン

米国デュポン社、中国を拠点とするソリッドサーフェス(人工大理石)メーカーの買収を発表
http://jp.dupont.com/jpcorp/news/030504CorianChinaBusiness.html

米国デュポン社(本社:デラウェア州ウィルミントン、会長兼最高経営責任者:チャールズ・O・ホリデー・ジュニア)は、35日(米国時間)、中華人民共和国の人工大理石メーカーである広州モンテリ・マテリアル・テクノロジー社の資産を買収したことを発表しました。契約の条件は発表していません。

世界初の人工大理石であるデュポン
TMコーリアン®Corian®)を製造するデュポン サーフェス事業部は、デュポン社の戦略の一環として、成長市場における地位を強化する目的で、広州およびXishuiの両市にある広州モンテリ社の既存の製造施設を従業員400人とともに買収しました。この買収には、広州モンテリ社がこれまで販売してきた様々な人工大理石ブランドならびに中国全土を網羅する同社の販売流通ネットワークが含まれています。

「中国を代表する人工大理石ブランドのモンテリ
®Montelli®は、高い品質と強力な販売流通ネットワークで高い評価を受けています。また、中国では建設業界が極めて著しい成長を続けおり、この買収を通じて、デュポンはより多くの製品を提供できるとともに販売組織を強化でき、顧客のニーズをさらに満足させることができると確信しています。このように価値の高い製造施設を買収できたこと、そして、この戦略市場において、当社の継続的な成長が可能となることを嬉しく思います」 とデュポン サーフェス事業部のリチャード・オルソン副社長兼ゼネラル・マネージャーは語っています。

「当社では、中国市場においてデュポンコーリアン
®を初めとした様々な価格帯の人工大理石製品を継続的に供給し、この買収した資産を活用していく計画です。中国市場でモンテリ®ブランドの人工大理石は、デュポンコーリアン®を補完する関係となり、幅広い市場の獲得につながるものもあります。この買収により、二つのブランドを持ち、販売流通ネットワークを含めたインフラ強化を実現し、事業を拡大するシナジー効果が期待できます。そして、引続き、現地の優秀な人材の雇用機会を提供し、原料や機器についても可能な限り現地で調達していきます」 とデュポン サーフェス事業部のディレクター、K・ナイジェル・バデンは語っています。

「デュポン サーフェス事業部と広州モンテリ社が一つになることで、より幅広い人工大理石製品を提供でき、中国の顧客に恩恵をもたらすことができます。デュポン サーフェス事業部の研究開発力のてこ入れにより新しい技術及び新しい人工大理石製品の開発が加速され、中国でのモンテリ
®ブランドをより発展させ、更なる需要を満たすこととなるでしょう」と広州モンテリ社の最高経営責任者 フレッド・ゴーン博士は語っています。

デュポンが製造販売する独創的な人工大理石コーリアン
®は、ニューヨーク州バッファローのヤーキース工場、エムアールシー・デュポン社の富山工場及び、韓国の蔚山(ウルサン)工場で引き続き製造します。

デュポン サーフェス事業部は、デュポンの事業部門の一つとしてデュポンコーリアン
®およびZodiaq®(ゾディアック)を製造販売しています。デュポンコーリアン®は、人工大理石として知名度の高い世界的なブランドです。さらに詳しい情報はwww.corian.comをご覧下さい。Zodiaq®(ゾディアック)は、純粋な石英を原料とする高級面材です。さらに詳しい情報はwww.zodiaq.comをご覧下さい。

1802年に創立されたデュポン社は、米国デラウェア州ウィルミントンに本社を置くサイエンス・カンパニーです。世界70カ国余りに拠点があり、エレクトロニクス、輸送、住宅・建築、通信、農業、栄養食品、安全・保護、アパレル分野で、科学的な発見や発明を基盤に、人々の生活を豊かにする製品やサービスを提供しています。

注) デュポン
TMコーリアン®およびZodiaq®(ゾディアック)は米国デュポン社の登録商標です。

 


2004/3/8 中国・ASEANニュース速報

デュポンは先月17日、すでに新会社「杜邦応用面材(広州)」を設立。今後は蒙特利のブランドや生産設備、販売ネットワークを利用して、中国の高分子複合材料市場におけるシェアをこれまでの2倍以上まで拡大する計画としている。


蒙特利

Montelli Industrial Enterprises Limited (China) manufactures Solid Surfacing Material. With the know-how from the United States, Montelli (China) established on October 1995 and rapidly expanded to become the leading manufacturer of Solid Surfacing Materials in China.

Montelli (China), located in Guangzhou, occupies an area of 60,000 sq. meters and employs more than 500 workers. Besides, Montelli (China) is the only manufacturer in China which has adopted the "Continuous Manufacturing Process" for the production of Solid Surfacing Material - an ISO9001 certified process which ensures the quality of all products maintains at a high and stable standard. Moreover, with the introducing of this process, our factory is capable to produce 1,200,000 sq. meter of Solid Surfacing Material annually to satisfy the growing demands from all over the world.

USA  Montelli Industries, Inc.   http://www.montelli.net/

 


March 24, 2004 DuPont

DuPont Inaugurates Corian® Plant in Korea

DuPont Surfaces recently inaugurated a new Corian
® manufacturing plant in Ulsan, Korea.

Rick Olson, vice president and general manager - DuPont Surfaces and DuPont Korea President Nigel Budden attended the grand opening.

Nigel said, "Through this project, we will strengthen our position as a market leader. With local manufacturing facilities and a redistribution center, we will be able to meet the local demand with both superior products and first class service standards."

The Ulsan plant will supply high-tech, leading-edge products - as well as flexibility for custom lengths and colors. Specialists at the plant will network with a team of global experts, from other plants located in Buffalo, New York (Yerkes), and Toyama, Japan.

* The Ulsan plant replaces the earlier facilities at Anyang, which was established in 1999.


2004/5/20 デュポン

米国デュポン社、中国での特殊製品群の生産能力を拡大

 米国デュポン社(本社:デラウェア州ウィルミントン、会長兼最高経営責任者:チャールズ・O・ホリデー・ジュニア)は、5月19日(中国・上海時間)、中国での専用製造ラインによる特殊製品群の生産能力の拡大に関して、中国の上海にある樹脂加工メーカーと合意したことを発表しました。今回の生産能力拡大は、市場での合成樹脂特殊製品群に対する需要増加に応えるもので、2004年第4四半期から実施する予定です。

 対象となる製品群は、ザイテル
®ナイロン樹脂の特殊製品(HTN芳香族ナイロン樹脂を含む)、Thermx® (サーミックス)PCT樹脂、ライナイト® PET樹脂、クラスティン®PBT樹脂、ハイトレル®熱可塑性ポリエステル・エラストマー、およびゼナイト®液晶ポリマーです。これら製品群は、優れた強度、剛性、耐熱性、難燃性を特徴としており、特に自動車、電気、電子機器向け用途における厳しい要求を満たします。

 デュポンにとって、中国の顧客にこれら特殊製品群を量産規模で同国内から提供することは初めてとなります。中国地域での生産能力を高める今回の決定は、中国のエンジニアリング・プラスチック市場でのデュポンの優位性を裏付けるとともに、中国産業界に対するデュポンの継続的なコミットメントを示しています。

 デュポンエンジニアリング・ポリマー事業部アジア太平洋地域リージョナル・ディレクターの天羽 稔(あもう みのる)は「顧客からの当社の特殊エンジニアリング・ポリマー製品群に対する需要は引き続きかなり高いものとなっている。顧客に近いところで生産能力を確保し、品質の高い製品を迅速に供給し、コストメリットを提供することが、顧客と当社の成功にとってきわめて重要である。当社が認定した樹脂加工メーカーによる中国国内での生産供給体制の確立によって当社は、マーケット動向への対応が可能となり、しかも柔軟に幅広い製品群を顧客に提供することが可能となる。」と述べています。

 今回対象となる製品は、中国深センですでに生産を行っているデルリン
®アセタール樹脂、ザイテル®ガラス強化ナイロン樹脂を補完するものとなります。合わせて、顧客に対するワンストップ・ソリューション・プロバイダとして、デュポンが持つ強みとリーダーシップをさらに高めることとなります。

 エンジニアリング・ポリマー事業部の中国地域担当マーケティング・マネージャ、ローレンス・チャンは、次のように述べています。「マーケットの動きと密接な連携を図るとともに、この重要なマーケットである中国国内での供給能力を確保することで、将来の需要の伸びにも対応できる供給体制を充実させていきたいと考えている」。

 デュポンエンジニアリングポリマー事業では、クラスティン
®PBT樹脂、ライナイト®ガラス強化PET樹脂、デルリン®ポリアセタール樹脂、ハイトレル®熱可塑性ポリエステル・エラストマー、Minlon®(ミンロン)無機ナイロン強化樹脂、 タイネックス® ナイロンフィラメント、ベスペル®ポリイミド・パーツ、 ゼナイト®液晶ポリマー、Thermx®PCT樹脂、およびザイテル®ナイロン樹脂の、それぞれの生産と販売を行っています。これら製品は、航空機、家電、自動車、民生機器、電気機器、電子機器、工業、スポーツ用品などさまざまな産業のグローバル・マーケットで活用されています。

 1802年に創立されたデュポン社は、米国デラウェア州ウィルミントンに本社を置くサイエンス・カンパニーです。世界70カ国余りに拠点があり、エレクトロニクス、輸送、住宅・建築、通信、農業、栄養食品、安全・保護、アパレル分野で、科学的な発見や発明を基盤に、人々の生活を豊かにする製品やサービスを提供しています。

注)ザイテル
®、デルリン®、ゼナイト®、クラスティン®、ライナイト®、ハイトレル®、タイネックス®、ベスペル®、Minlon®は、米国デュポン社登録商標です。
Thermx
®はイーストマン社の登録商標です。


2004/5/26 DuPont

DuPont and Tate & Lyle Form Bio-Products Joint Venture
New Company Will Replace Petrochemicals with Renewable Resources
http://www1.dupont.com/NASApp/dupontglobal/corp/index.jsp?page=/news/releases/2004/nr05_26_04a.html

DuPont and Tate & Lyle PLC today announced a joint venture to create products from renewable resources such as corn for numerous applications including clothing, interiors, engineered polymers and textile fibers.

The new company - DuPont Tate & Lyle BioProducts, LLC - is equally owned by DuPont and Tate & Lyle and will be based in Wilmington, Del. The company plans to construct its initial commercial manufacturing plant adjacent to an existing facility in Loudon, Tenn., with startup scheduled for 2006. A pilot facility in Decatur, Ill. has been operating for several years.

The joint venture will use a proprietary fermentation and purification process developed jointly by DuPont and Tate & Lyle to produce 1,3 propanediol (PDO), the key building block for DuPontTM Sorona® polymer. As DuPont's newest polymer platform, Sorona® offers unique properties such as stain-resistance, exceptional softness, comfort stretch and recovery, and UV- and chlorine-resistance when compared to polyester and nylon. Sorona® can be used in a variety of applications including textile apparel, interiors, engineering resins and packaging. The new bio-based technology uses less energy and employs renewable resources - replacing the need for traditional petrochemicals now used to produce 1,3 propanediol (PDO).

"As a science company, DuPont is committed to business and research initiatives that meet customer and market needs while delivering both shareholder and societal value," said John Ranieri, vice president and general manager - DuPont Bio-Based Materials. "Sorona® is an excellent example of putting science to work by integrating biology with materials science. Sorona® combines the emerging discipline of metabolic engineering (the capability for biology to produce valuable products) with the leading polymer engineering capabilities of DuPont."

"The joint venture is further evidence of Tate & Lyle's strength in innovation, our success in developing key industrial partnerships and our ability to generate value-added product growth. It is a natural fit with our core skills in fermentation of natural products," said Iain Ferguson, chief executive - Tate & Lyle PLC. "Partnerships are an important component of our strategy to build our business and we are delighted that our relationship with DuPont continues to advance. This is also a good example of the excellence of Tate & Lyle's research and development capability in delivering a product from renewable resources that can selectively replace those made from petrochemicals."

John D. Halberstadt of DuPont has been named president of the joint venture. He will report to a board of managers with representatives from both parent companies.

Sorona® is currently manufactured from petroleum-based PDO, and is available commercially from DuPont. It is used to produce clothing and fabrics with superior softness, dyeability, and a natural stretch. Bio-PDO- corn-derived chemical and Sorona® polymer made from Bio-PDOTM will be available in 2006.

Last year, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency presented DuPont with its annual "Presidential Green Chemistry Award" for the company's research leading to the development of the bio-PDO process.

Tate & Lyle is a world leader in ingredients. Its core competence is to take corn, wheat or sugar, and add value to these raw materials through technology. As a result of continuous innovation, it offers an ever-wider product portfolio of versatile and functional ingredients. These products include Cereal Sweeteners, Starches, Sugars and Citric Acid. Tate & Lyle products have wide applications in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, paper, packaging and building industries. With headquarters in London, Tate & Lyle operates more than 40 plants in 24 countries, almost all in Europe and the Americas. It employs 6,700 people in its subsidiaries with a further 2,800 employed in joint ventures. Sales in the year ending March 31, 2003, totalled £3,167 million. More details are available on this website: www.tateandlyle.com.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.


Sorona®

3GTポリマー(ポリトリメチレンテレフタレート)


Tate & Lyle
http://www.tateandlyle.com/TateAndLyle/ir_our_business/company_overview/default.htm

Tate & Lyle is a global leader in carbohydrate processing. Our brands and high quality ingredients add value to consumer products around the world. Our core competence is to take basic carbohydrates - corn, wheat or sugar - and add value to these raw materials through technology. As a result of continuous innovation we are able to offer an ever-wider product portfolio of versatile and functional sweeteners, starches, proteins and acidulants.


2004/6/30 DuPont

DuPont Acquires BioSentry's Animal Health Business Assets
http://www1.dupont.com/NASApp/dupontglobal/corp/index.jsp?page=/news/releases/2004/nr06_30_04a.html

DuPont today announced it has acquired the animal health business assets of BioSentry, Inc., a leading biosecurity company providing animal health prevention programs in 50 countries. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"This acquisition is a strategic fit for DuPont. The BioSentry business and team will expand our presence in the United States and in Latin America, strengthening our position as a leading partner for biosecurity solutions," said DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise Vice President and General Manager Nick C. Fanandakis. "This year's Avian Influenza outbreaks further demonstrate the importance of preventive biosecurity to protect operations and the food chain from the effects of virus and disease. This acquisition will enable us to further meet existing and emerging needs, contributing to the continued growth of our overall Clean and Disinfect business."

"Our strong relationship with DuPont is built upon our shared vision of providing our customers with the most cost-productive solutions in animal health management," said BioSentry President Charles E. Reeves III. "Our broad range of biosecurity programs are specifically tailored to meet the ever changing disease challenges and conditions of modern production. BioSentry is committed to delivering our programs in a manner that is respective of the impact of products on the environment, yet is highly effective against new and emerging pathogens. With DuPont's strength in science and innovation and its global market access, we view this as the next logical step for the growth of this business."

The acquisition furthers DuPont's strategy and positioning as a global leader in the safety and protection industry. BioSentry, which has biosecurity sales in 50 countries, has been in the forefront of animal health and hygiene for nearly 50 years. Based in Atlanta, Ga., the company offers a comprehensive biosecurity program, including an integrated line of innovative clean and disinfectant products that are tailored to address specific needs in animal and food safety.

In 2003, DuPont acquired
United Kingdom-based Antec International. Antec products are used throughout the world to protect global food supplies from disease-causing agents such as the Avian Flu and Foot and Mouth Disease and the public from pathogens such as the Norwalk-like virus that has impacted the cruise ship industry. Antec products are used not only to attack disease outbreaks but also as a preventative agent, eliminating the germs before they can cause infection.

BioSentry will be integrated into the DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise business, which is part of the DuPont Safety & Protection (DSP) growth platform. The DSP business segment generates annual revenues of more than $4 billion and employs more than 7,000 people in 21 plants and laboratories.

DuPont Safety & Protection is focused on finding solutions to protect people, property, operations and the environment by leveraging and expanding the over 200 years of experience of DuPont as one of the safest companies in the world; its recognized excellence in science and technology; and its knowledge of key markets. DuPont is dedicated to using its science and technology to provide environmentally responsible clean and disinfect solutions for prevention of disease and improving productivity in the food, healthcare, household, institutional and industrial markets.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.


2004/6/3 DuPont

DuPont To Acquire Maxygen Subsidiary Verdia
http://www1.dupont.com/NASApp/dupontglobal/corp/index.jsp?page=/content/US/en_US/news/releases/2004/nr06_03_04a.html

DuPont (NYSE: DD) today announced that it has signed definitive agreements to acquire Verdia, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Maxygen, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAXY) headquartered in Redwood City, Calif.

Subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, DuPont will purchase the plant sciences company for $64 million in cash.

By purchasing Verdia, DuPont will have worldwide, royalty-free, exclusive rights to use
Maxygen's MolecularBreedingTM directed evolution platform technologies (gene shuffling) for agricultural applications across its Agriculture & Nutrition platform. All Verdia employees will receive offer letters for employment with DuPont, and DuPont plans to retain Verdia's name, its bay-area offices and the Verdia leadership team.

"Verdia will significantly enhance our gene research and trait discovery capabilities," said Jim Miller, DuPont vice president, Crop Genetics Research and Development. "The technology should allow us to reach research targets up to three years faster and more efficiently."

Russell Howard, Maxygen's CEO, said the cash proceeds from the sale of Verdia are non-dilutive to Maxygen stockholders. "The cash will strengthen our ability to advance our human therapeutics product candidates, consistent with our focus in this area," said Howard. "This transaction also reflects the power of our technologies, and we are pleased to have DuPont continue with the success we have created to date in agriculture as we concentrate on generating similar successes in our human therapeutics programs."

Scientists at Verdia and DuPont subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., unveiled the first-ever agricultural trait developed through gene shuffling in the May 21 issue of Science. Pioneer currently has this trait (glyphosate resistance) in field tests in corn and expects to have it on the market within the next five to six years.

"We know we work well together from our research alliance," said Miller. "Verdia's first-rate technology and top-notch people will bring real value to our research teams and to our customers."

The gene shuffling technology should help Pioneer identify and develop a number of new traits to help plants survive environmental stress, including drought - a universal challenge causing more than $8 billion in losses for farmers globally. Pioneer also plans to use the technology to develop crops that more efficiently utilize key inputs such as nitrogen. Each year, U.S. farmers apply an average of 136 lbs. of nitrogen per acre, which have cost farmers an average of $40 per acre over the past 10 years.

Nutrition & Health businesses at DuPont could also tap Verdia technology and expertise to improve plants' health benefits, nutritional value and taste for consumers and processing attributes for food manufacturers.

Maxygen plans to use the proceeds from this transaction to fund the advancement of its human therapeutic development programs.
The company has an improved interferon alpha in development with Roche for the treatment of hepatitis B and C infections - an improved interferon beta for multiple sclerosis and a novel G-CSF for neutropenia both of which Maxygen plans to advance into clinical development over the next 18 months.

Maxygen, Inc., headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., is focused on creating novel products using its integrated proprietary technologies for human therapeutics. Maxygen's technologies bring together advances in molecular biology and protein modification to create novel biotechnology products.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.


Maxygen   http://www.maxygen.com/about.php

Maxygen was founded in 1997 to develop important commercial products through the use of biotechnology. Since then, we have established a focus in human therapeutics, formed multiple partnerships with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, built a robust pipeline of product candidates and created industrial businesses with near-term product revenues.

Maxygen is a leader in the evolution and optimization of genes and proteins for the creation of improved human therapeutic products. Our business model focuses on cost-effective development and commercialization of multiple products, on our own and with partners.


Verdia http://www.verdiainc.com/

Verdia is dedicated to becoming a global leader in providing proprietary product solutions to important commercial problems in plant-based businesses through the application of advanced trait optimization methods.

Our proprietary MolecularBreeding
TM directed molecular evolution enables us to enhance the potency, functionality, and utility of proprietary protein-based actives, the starting point for competitive transgenic products. Verdia has validated its capabilities for rapidly developing superior transgenic products through collaborations with industry leaders and currently has seven products in commercial development with our partners.

Our technology has the potential to add value to the two major components of transgenic agriculture: input traits, which can reduce a grower's production costs, and output traits, which can enhance the functionality and value of plant-derived products. Our initial focus is on input traits, such as transgenic solutions for crop disease, pest and weed management as genetic-based product alternatives to the $28 billion crop protection chemical market. In the future, we intend to enter the output trait and value added market segments through research and development partnerships with major companies.


2004/8/25 DuPont

DuPont Opens $130 Million Facility to Produce Innovative Nonwoven Fabrics
Advanced Composite Technology to enhance protection, comfort for healthcare professionals
http://www1.dupont.com/NASApp/dupontglobal/corp/index.jsp?page=/news/releases/2004/nr08_25_04a.html

DuPont today opened a new $130 million facility here to produce innovative nonwoven fabrics born from a revolutionary composite technology that provides users with advanced levels of both comfort and protection.

DuPont's proprietary Advanced Composite Technology (ACT) blends the ideal properties of two different raw materials to create nonwoven fabrics that meet specific needs. More than 20 new patents were developed for this technology.

The ACT's initial product is DuPont
TM SuprelTM, a highly protective and comfortable fabric used for hospital operating gowns and patient drapes. SuprelTM is the only medical fabric available that is made of polyester - for strength - and polyethylene - for silk-like softness. Traditional single-use medical fabrics can be uncomfortable, especially when they are worn for an extended time, and can lack the necessary fluid barrier for protecting today's healthcare professionals. SuprelTM has less surface friction than other medical fabric products, allowing for greater comfort and freedom of movement. It also transfers heat away from the body quickly, adding to comfort in the operating environment. SuprelTM is made from continuous filament fibers and is very low linting.

Using a market-focused approach as part of its research and development, DuPont researchers developed Suprel
TM by working closely with operating room nurses who participated in comfort studies conducted at North Carolina State University.

"The composite fabric technology will allow us to create an array of fabrics in direct response to the evolving needs of the medical industry," said DuPont Nonwovens Global Business Director David Flitman. "Suprel
TM is the first in a line of innovative products from DuPont that will raise the bar for standards of protection and comfort in medical fabrics."

The ACT facility is located at DuPont's Old Hickory manufacturing complex, near Nashville. A number of Tennessee public officials joined DuPont employees and leaders in today's opening.

"This newest investment of 110 jobs and $130 million in cutting-edge technology at Old Hickory continues DuPont's commitment to Tennessee," said Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber. "Gov. (Phil) Bredesen and I are proud to see manufacturing investments like this in our state, producing high-quality products that are exported to customers around the world."

DuPont is the leading global supplier of nonwoven fabrics for the healthcare industry, and has set new standards of protection, convenience, and comfort for medical professionals for more than 25 years.

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.

The DuPont Oval, DuPont
TM, The miracles of scienceTM, and SuprelTM are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.


September 29, 2004 DuPont

DuPont Electronic Technologies and Samsung Cheil Industries, Inc. Announce Joint Venture Agreement for Flexible Circuit Materials
http://www1.dupont.com/NASApp/dupontglobal/corp/index.jsp?page=/news/releases/2004/nr09_29_04a.html

DuPont Electronic Technologies and Cheil Industries, Inc., part of the Samsung Group, have signed a 50/50 joint venture agreement, pending local and government approvals, to establish SD Flex Company, LLC. SD Flex Company will manufacture DuPontTM Pyralux® adhesiveless, flexible copper clad laminate (FCCL), the material instrumental in enabling advanced functionality and performance in displays, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other electronic devices.

The manufacturing facility for SD Flex Company will be constructed at Cheil's existing site in Gumi, Korea. The first manufacturing line within the new facility is expected to be operational in the third quarter of 2005 with an initial capacity of 100,000 square meters per month, and will be expanded to keep pace with market demand. SD Flex Company will focus on serving primarily the Korean market.

"We are very pleased to be working with Cheil to meet the industry's growing demand for adhesiveless flexible printed circuits," said Craig G. Naylor, group vice president ? DuPont Electronic & Communication Technologies. "Cheil brings an excellent manufacturing capability and understanding of customer needs in the Korean marketplace. This complements and strengthens the existing position for DuPont in adhesiveless flexible materials."

"Cheil Industries' Electronic Chemical Material Division plans to play a pivotal role in today's multimedia society," stated Cheil's president & CEO, Je Jin-hoon. "This joint venture is a strong fit with our existing electronic materials portfolio and introduces the potential for more high-tech collaborative efforts between our two companies in the future."

SD Flex Company will focus on advanced cast-on copper clad laminate manufacturing technology licensed from DuPont Wirex. This technology reduces the layers in a flexible circuit from three to two, by eliminating an adhesive layer that prohibits maximum circuit density and flexibility and is often a cause of vulnerability to circuit failure. Two-layer cast-on copper technology enables more reliable, lighter and thinner devices and allows for extremely dense circuitry to carry more information faster. The global market size of adhesiveless FCCL was estimated to be over $300 million in 2003. Moreover, the annual growth rate is estimated at 35-40 percent, fueled primarily by demand for cell phones and displays.

Cheil Industries Inc. was established in 1954 as a founding member of the Samsung Group, and diversified into the electronic chemical materials business in 1996, when it entered the epoxy molding compounds manufacturing business. As a result of continuous and successful R&D endeavors, Cheil Inc.'s electronic chemical materials business has established a strong market presence in Asia by offering a broad spectrum of electronic chemicals and materials to major electronic industries, including semiconductor, LCD, PDP, OLED and electronic components. Please visit
http://www.starex.co.kr for more information on Cheil's electronic chemical materials business.

DuPont Electronic Technologies is a leading supplier of electronic materials, including materials for the fabrication and packaging of semiconductors, materials for rigid and flexible circuits, and materials for advanced displays. For further information, please visit www.dupont.com/et. As part of DuPont Electronic Technologies, the Flexible Circuit Materials group develops, manufactures and markets flexible, solderable, metal clad laminates, coverlays, and bonding adhesives for the fabrication of thin, solderable, high-density electrical interconnects. For more information on DuPont Flexible Circuit Materials, go to www.dupont.com/fcm.

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.


DuPont 2005/4/25

DuPont Announces Research Agreement with India's National Chemical Laboratory
DuPont Continues Goal to Globalize its R&D Efforts In Targeted Emerging Markets
http://www1.dupont.com/NASApp/dupontglobal/corp/index.jsp?page=/news/releases/2005/nr04_25_05a.html

DuPont today announced it has signed a research agreement with the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) in Pune, India. Under terms of the agreement, DuPont will have access to the talents and capabilities of one of India's premier research and development laboratories to grow new market-facing technologies. The first research projects NCL will develop will be for the DuPont Titanium Technologies business.

"We are pleased to announce the signing of this agreement with the National Chemical Laboratory of India," said DuPont Chief Science & Technology Officer Thomas M. Connelly, Jr. "This move is consistent with DuPont's efforts to go where the growth is and to globalize our R&D operations. It furthers DuPont's efforts to open our innovation processes by incorporating the research capabilities and intellectual talent of India's top materials scientists. In addition, it will allow us to more clearly address the market needs of the region by providing geographic access."

Founded in 1950, NCL is part of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), India's science and technology coordinating institution that is presided over by the country's prime minister. The relationship between DuPont and NCL dates back to 1993 when DuPont became the first multinational company to partner with CSIR through NCL to advance polyester research in India. With over 300 full-time Ph.D. scientists on staff and 360 students pursuing doctoral degrees, NCL is globally respected for its expertise in chemical and material sciences. NCL is located in the state of Maharashtra on the country's western coast. Maharashtra state is the largest contributor to India's GDP. Pune city is second only to Mumbai (the business capital of India) in size and industrial strength.

DuPont invests approximately $1.3 billion annually in global research and development in a diverse range of technologies for a broad scope of markets, ranging from electronics to agriculture. Globally, DuPont has more than 75 R&D facilities with over 40 in the United States and more than 35 in 11 other nations. DuPont has more than 4,400 scientists and engineers around the world, including India.

DuPont India is a subsidiary of DuPont. The company's association with India is more than 200 years old, dating back to the first shipment of raw materials for black powder explosives in 1802.

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.


2005/12/12 デュポン・ジャパン

米国デュポン社、新たにエンジニアリングポリマーの生産拠点をシンガポールに建設

米国デュポン社(本社:デラウエア州ウィルミントン、会長兼最高経営責任者:チャールズ・
O・ホリデー・ジュニア)は、12日(米国時間) 、高成長する二つのエンジニアリングポリマー、デュポンTM ザイテル(R) HTN高機能ポリアミド樹脂デュポンTM ベスペル(R) パーツ&シェイプスについて、新たにシンガポールに設備投資を行うことを発表しました。「この投資は、当社のエンジニアリングポリマー事業を『グローカライズ』したいという我々のビジョンを具現化したものだ。今日のグローバル化する経済において、顧客満足を得るためには、世界中で切れ目のないサービスを提供し、納期通りに、更に高品質な製品を供給し続けることが何よりも大切なことである」とデュポンエンジニアリングポリマー事業部副社長兼ジェネラルマネージャーのキース・スミスは述べています。

新工場の稼動開始時期は、需要の動向にもよりますが、ベスペル
(R)2007年、ザイテル(R) HTN2009年を予定しています。ベスペル(R)については、デュポンは既にオハイオ州、デラウエア州、ベルギー、そして日本で生産を行っています。ザイテル(R)HTNに関してはテネシー州とバージニア州リッチモンドで生産をしています。このリッチモンド工場は2005年第2四半期に稼動を開始し、現在優れた高品質の製品を供給しています。
「アジア太平洋地域において高機能製品需要は大きく伸びており、この度シンガポールに建設する工場は我々の供給能力を強化し、我々がこの成長市場に更に迅速に、しかも低コストで対応できる武器となるだろう。今回の投資と上海のR&Dセンター、日本の名古屋にあるデュポン オートモーティブセンターは、成長し続けているアジア太平洋地域に対して我々の継続的なコミットメントの現れである」とエンジニアリングポリマー事業部アジア太平洋地域リージョナルディレクターの天羽稔は述べています。

ザイテル
(R) HTNには二つの高機能製品群があり、多くは ザイテル(R) HTN PPAに属し、優れた耐薬品性、低吸水、加工性に加えて非常に耐熱性が高いエンジニアリングプラスチックです。もう一つはザイテル(R) HTN スーパーストラクチャー製品と呼ばれ、強度が強く加工性に優れた新しい製品です。「ザイテル(R) HTNは、自動車業界や電子業界で、世界的に市場成長率をはるかに上回る勢いで成長しています。」ザイテル(R) HTNのグローバルビジネスマネージャーのクライブ・ロバートソンは述べています。「我々は今後も引き続き顧客との連携を深め、顧客のニーズにマッチした高機能、高加工性を目指した新製品、新素材を開発し、そのための製造能力も確保していきます」

デュポンはベスペル
(R)パーツ&シェイプスでは5つの製品群を製造販売しており、軽量、耐久性、耐熱性に優れた製品を送り出しています。これらの部品と加工品の多くは高機能ポリイミド樹脂から製造されるもので、シールリング・カップリングからエンジン結合部材まで、金属やセラミックスの代替品としてコスト面でも耐久性面でも需要が急速に伸びています。最終用途としては、航空機関係、半導体関連、工業用機器、輸送用機器やオフィス機器、ポンプ関連など広範囲に及んでいます。
「金属製品代替品としての工業需要は軽量化とコスト優位で我々の競争力を発揮できており、シンガポール工場はこの需要を地域的にも世界的にも取っていける生産能力として位置づけています」ベスペル
(R) パーツ&シェイプスのグローバルビジネスディレクターのビル・ウエバーは述べています。

1802年に創立されたデュポン社は、米国デラウエア州ウィルミントンに本社を置くサイエンス・カンパニーです。世界70カ国余りに拠点があり、エレクトロニクス、輸送、住宅・建築、通信、農業、栄養食品、安全・保護、アパレル分野で、科学の力を生かした持続可能なソリューションを創出し、世界中の人々の生活をより安全で豊かにする製品やサービスを提供しています。

ザイテル (Zytel) はデュポンのナイロン樹脂です。ナイロンは1938年に米国デュポン社カローザス博士によってが世界で初めて発明され、開発商品化されたことで有名です。

ベスペル (Vespel) は、デュポンが開発した超耐熱性プラスチック(全芳香族ポリイミド樹脂)です。エンジニアリングプラスチックのなかで最高の耐熱性と耐摩擦性を有しており、機械・電機部品をはじめ幅広い用途に使用されます。
 
CP,ASB:ポリイミド樹脂 各種複合材
 
S,TP: ポリイミド樹脂
 
CR: フッ素樹脂複合材


DuPont News, June 28, 2006

DuPont to Produce New High-Performance Polymers Made with Renewable Resources
http://www2.dupont.com/Media_Center/en_US/daily_news/article20060628.html

DuPont expects to begin production in 2007 of new high-performance thermoplastic resins and elastomer products made from two of its latest bio-based materials innovations. The products will be targeted for automotive, electrical/electronic and other industrial markets.

Intermediates for DuPont Sorona(R) polymer and DuPont Hytrel(R) made with renewable resources will be made from corn sugar instead of petroleum, using a patented and proprietary process. The key ingredient in Sorona is Bio-PDOTM, which replaces petrochemical-based 1,3-propanediol (PDO). The new DuPont Hytrel offering is produced using a new DuPont polyol made with Bio-PDO. Sorona polymer for industrial applications will be commercially available in mid-2007; and the renewably sourced HytrelR grades will be available in late 2007.
コーンシュガー
:トウモロコシから作られる砂糖

When these new products are commercialized, we will be able to offer our customers the benefits of renewably sourced materials and a reduced dependence on petrochemical sourcing that will positively impact the environmental life cycle of their products,said Keith Smith, vice president and general manager, DuPont Engineering Polymers.

In addition to replacing petrochemicals with renewable resources, the manufacturing of Bio-PDO requires approximately 40 percent less energy to produce than its petrochemical-based counterpart - saving the equivalent of about 10 million gallons of gasoline per year, based on annual production volumes of 100 million pounds of Bio-PDO. The new products will contribute to DuPonts corporate goal of deriving 25 percent of revenue from non-depletable resources by 2010.

The performance and processing characteristics of Sorona and renewably sourced Hytrel are as good as or better than those of current products made wholly from petrochemicals. Among engineering plastics, Sorona exhibits performance and molding characteristics similar to PBT (polybutylene terephthalate). Preliminary evaluations comparing the new Hytrel grades to current offerings show improvement in some properties.

Loudon, Tenn., will be home for the worlds largest aerobic fermentation plant for the production of Bio-PDO. The plant is owned and operated by DuPont Tate & Lyle BioProducts LLC, an equally owned joint venture of DuPont and Tate & Lyle. It is scheduled to come on stream later this year and will have the capacity to produce 100 million pounds of Bio-PDO (over 45,000 metric tons) per year.

DuPont is a world leader in the development and manufacturing of high performance materials that provide environmentally sustainable solutions utilizing renewable, farm-grown feedstocks rather than petroleum. The companys scientific capabilities - including its state-of-the-art biotechnology and bio-based manufacturing processes - are being harnessed to meet the needs of customers and society.

2003年. アメリカのグリーンケミストリー賞 Alternative Solvents and Reaction Conditions Award  
 DuPont、 Microbial Production of 1,3-Propanediol

繊維用ポリマーDuPont Sorona の原料、1,3-プロパンジオールの製造を再生可能原料から変性バイオ触媒で行い、環境負荷の低減、コスト削減、効率改善を実現した。 コーンスターチからのグルコースをグリセロールに変えるイーストの遺伝子と、グリセロールを 1,3?プロパンジオールに変えるバクテリアの遺伝子をホスト微生物に組み込み、グルコースからプロパンジオールへの 1 段での転換を最大にし、バイオマス・副生物を最少にすることに成功した。(この遺伝子組換えは DuPont と Genecor International の共同開発)
1,3-プロパンジオールのポリエステルである Sorona は、分子鎖にキンク(捩れ)を有し、弾性、柔軟性、防汚性、染色堅牢性などに優れて、衣類の他 自動車内装、家具用に適する他、樹脂としてはバリア性に優れているという特性をもっているが、石油化学からの製造ではモノマーコストを安く出来なかった。バイオ法がそのコストの問題を解決した。

Sorona®  3GTポリマー(ポリトリメチレンテレフタレート


DuPont  December 12, 2006

DuPont Agriculture & Nutrition Increases Investment in Plant Biotechnology; Streamlines Nutrition and Crop Protection Businesses

Yesterday, DuPont Agriculture & Nutrition launched a plan to
increase investment in plant genetics, biotechnology and other high-value growth opportunities, while further improving competitiveness in low-growth areas of its nutrition and crop protection businesses by reducing operating costs about USD 100 million a year.

Under the plan, DuPont will reinvest all of the
USD 100 million savings into its seed business. These actions will help expand the companys competitive advantage in the seed market and increase the speed to market of seed products with next-generation biotech traits.

We are aggressively adjusting our capital and resource allocation to the highest value growth opportunities for our customers and shareholders,said Erik Fyrwald , group vice president, DuPont Agriculture & Nutrition.

DuPont will
consolidate manufacturing assets, leverage technology centers and refocus product marketing strategies in its nutrition and crop protection businesses.

These changes include the closing or streamlining of manufacturing units at about 10 sites and the reduction of approximately 1,500 positions globally, with most of the changes expected to be completed in 2007. Based on current estimates, DuPont expects to record a charge of about USD 200 million in the fourth quarter of 2006 for restructuring and asset impairments.

These actions will accelerate the momentum that is building for our seed business,Erik said. Our seed products are performing very well around the globe. Our competitive yield advantage improved in 2006 and that is going to mean significantly improved financial performance for the business in 2007.

Along with strong 2006 product performance for customers, independent research done this year found Herculex(R) XTRA insect control, which DuPont co-developed, to be superior to other insect control options on the market today. Looking ahead, North America seed orders for 2007 planting are very strong. The company expects sales of corn hybrids with triple stacksto be 10 times higher than 2006, significantly increasing revenue per acre captured by the business.

In Latin America, total Agriculture & Nutrition sales exceeded the USD 1 billion mark for the first time in 2006 on the strength of gains in corn, soybean, crop protection and soy protein products in Brazil and elsewhere. Excellent seed product performance and new crop protection product launches like picoxystrobin are driving growth in Brazil despite a difficult agricultural economy. Higher sales there will contribute to improved 2006 fourth quarter results compared to 2005. In addition, seed sales outside North America also passed the USD 1 billion milestone for the first time in 2006.

DuPont also is on track to deliver Optimum
TM GATTM herbicide resistant trait, which will give growers a new choice in glyphosate-tolerance soybean seed that maximizes yield potential, improves crop safety and expands weed control options, including for broader use of DuPonts sulfonylurea herbicides.

Other growth opportunity areas in the Agriculture & Nutrition plan include:
Increased sales and marketing resources for the seed business.
Investments in safer crop protection products by delivering our research pipeline products, including the planned 2008 introduction of RynaxypyrTM, a next generation ultra-low toxicity insecticide.
Growth for The Solae Companys SoleCina- which enables food processors to convert a proprietary blend of vegetable and meat protein into a nutritious finished product.
Launch of Crystalon- vertical form fill and seal liquid packaging technology.
Continued investment in the markets of Brazil, Eastern Europe/Russia, India and China for all businesses.
Driving growth in its portfolio of leading biofuel technologies.

While we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, we recognize that this will be a difficult time for employees,Erik said. We are committed to assisting those affected by these changes in their transition to other opportunities within or outside of DuPont.

In cases where redeployment is not possible, employees will receive assistance in accordance with local country and legal entity practices. More details of the plan will be available at a later date.

The actions announced yesterday are part of the resource and capital deployment initiatives targeted to increase the company
s return on invested capital.


June 07, 2001 DuPont

DuPont to Sell Pharmaceuticals Unit to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company for $7.8 Billion; Board Authorizes New Share Buyback Program

DuPont today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell the DuPont Pharmaceuticals Company to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company for $7.8 billion in cash. DuPont said that it will retain its interest in Cozaar®/Hyzaar®, an antihypertensive drug developed by DuPont and Merck, and marketed by Merck. Closing of the sale is expected in the fourth quarter, subject to government approvals.

DuPont plans to use a portion of the proceeds to complete the current $2.5 billion share buyback program that was announced in July of last year. The remaining proceeds are expected to be used to reduce net debt and invest in growth opportunities aligned with the company's strategic direction.

In a related action, the DuPont Board of Directors authorized a new $2 billion share buyback program to begin once the current program is complete.

"The actions we have taken today will build superior value for our shareholders as we fund investment in growth-oriented opportunities and quicken the pace of our share buyback programs," said DuPont Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Charles O. Holliday, Jr.

The transaction is expected to be accretive to earnings in 2002. The impact on current year earnings per share will depend on the final closing date and the timing and pace of the share buyback program implementation.

DuPont is a science company, delivering science-based solutions that make a difference in people's lives in food and nutrition; health care; apparel; home and construction; electronics; and transportation. Founded in 1802, the company operates in 70 countries and has 93,000 employees.

 


DuPont News, March 30, 2007

Sustainability: DuPont, Honeywell Announce Refrigerants Agreement

More than 400 million cars with air conditioning systems are on the road globally. DuPont and Honeywell are developing refrigerants that are more energy efficient and have low global warming potential. One product being evaluated could lead to a worldwide emissions reduction of greenhouse gases equivalent to 230 million gallons of fuel per year by 2017.

Yesterday DuPont and Honeywell announced a global joint development agreement to accelerate the development and commercialization of next generation, low global warming refrigerants for the automotive air conditioning industry.

The new refrigerants would enable automakers to meet new regulations in Europe that require the use of low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in mobile air conditioning (AC) applications.  Today's automotive air conditioners use hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-134a.  The new regulation is scheduled to take effect in 2011 for new model automobiles, with the transition complete by 2017.

現在家庭用冷蔵庫やカーエアコンで使われている冷媒.
分子中に塩素を含まないためオゾン層破壊の可能性はないが,地球温暖化に影響を及ぼすおそれはある.

Under the agreement, DuPont and Honeywell will jointly identify, develop, test and qualify new low GWP refrigerants that are cost-effective alternatives to other technologies being considered by the auto industry.  Automakers are currently evaluating mobile AC systems that use such technologies.  Ideally, automakers are seeking a commercially viable fluorinated gas solution that is compatible with conventional HFC-134a mobile air conditioning system technology and offers a more cost-effective industry transition versus CO2 technology.
"DuPont science and innovation helped ease the transition from chlorofluorocarbons to alternative products for both industry and society.
  Now we are quickly responding to the global automotive industry's request for new refrigerants with lower global warming potential that offer a strong balance of benefits for safety, performance and cost-effectiveness," said Cindy Green, vice president and general manager, DuPont Fluoroproducts.  "By leveraging DuPont and Honeywell resources, we can expedite product qualification and commercialization to provide a new global industry solution in time to meet regulations and effect an accelerated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions around the world."

"Honeywell has a proven track record of developing refrigerant technologies to meet industry and customer requirements," said Terrence Hahn, vice president and general manager for Honeywell's Fluorine Products business.  "We look forward to providing a near drop-in replacement that reduces the need for costly system redesign for the automotive industry.  For the consumer, we will provide an environmentally friendlier, low-GWP solution without sacrificing comfort or reliability."

Honeywell International is a diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials.

 


June 8, 2007 DuPont

DuPont Tate & Lyle Joint Venture Officially Opens $100 Million Bio-PDOTM Facility - the World's First to Produce Propanediol From Corn Sugar
U.S. Secretary of Energy Bodman Recognizes Advancements in Bio-Based Technology

DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products, LLC, an equally owned joint venture of DuPont and Tate & Lyle, today marked the growing demand for products made from its revolutionary Bio-PDO product. U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman joined senior leaders from DuPont, Tate & Lyle, the joint venture and their customers to see the new production facility first-hand and recognize its official opening.

The Loudon facility produces 1,3-propanediol (Bio-PDO) from renewable resources - in this case corn sugar - making it the first facility in the world to manufacture this new bio-based product. Bio-PDO is a versatile, biodegradable and high-performance ingredient that can be used in cosmetics, liquid detergents and industrial applications such as anti-freeze and many other applications that currently use glycols. It also can be used as a monomer to produce unsaturated polyester resins as well as other specialty polymers such as DuPont Sorona® (3GT 繊維and the latest renewably sourced polymer, DuPont Cerenol. In addition, renewably sourced Hytrel® thermoplastic elastomers and a new line of renewable DuPont automotive finishes are two new product lines scheduled to be launched later this year. The first commercial product was sold in November 2006, and demand for new uses of Bio-PDO continues to grow with nearly a dozen product applications to date.

DuPont Cenerol is a family of renewably sourced, high-performance polyols (polyetherdiols).

"It's encouraging to see industry team up to make incredible advances in bio- based technology, building upon the Department of Energy's efforts to reduce our reliance on imported oil, aggressively confront climate change and help maintain our nation's competitive edge in the global marketplace," Secretary Bodman said. "I've seen tremendous examples today of how private sector investment can make available to consumers more affordable, homegrown and environmentally sensitive products. I commend DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products for taking bold steps to maximize domestically grown resources, and I'd like to see more of this type of collaboration."

The joint venture uses a proprietary fermentation process developed jointly by DuPont and Tate & Lyle to produce Bio-PDO using corn sugar instead of petroleum-based feedstocks. The production of Bio-PDO consumes 40 percent less energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent compared to petroleum-based propanediol. Annual production of 100 million pounds of Bio-PDO will save the energy equivalent of over 15 million gallons of gasoline per year, or enough to fuel more than 27,000 cars - over half the cars in Loudon County, Tenn.

At today's event, the American Chemical Society (ACS) presented the research teams involved in the development of Bio-PDO with the prestigious 2007 Heroes of Chemistry award. The program highlights the vital role of industrial chemical scientists and their companies in improving human welfare through successful commercial innovations and products. Recipients are selected based on the technical merit of the chemical innovation, including talent and foresight demonstrated by the nominees, the commercial impact of the products on the marketplace, and the benefits to mankind through the products' performance. Representing the teams and organizations receiving the award were: Charlie Nakamura and Cathy Babowitz of DuPont, Dennis Adkesson of Tate & Lyle, and Gregg Whited of Genencor International.

"The Loudon Bio-PDO production process is on the leading edge of industrial biotechnology," said DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products President Steven Mirshak. "We are quickly growing into a business that delivers high performing, renewable products to diverse markets globally. This was the goal and vision of our parent companies. We are enabling our customers to produce high-quality, renewably sourced products based on Susterra and Zemea propanediol."

"We began looking at bio-based, renewable materials in 1993 as the natural evolution of DuPont science," DuPont Chairman & CEO Charles O. Holliday, Jr. said. "Today, the growth opportunity is exponential with applications in personal care, automotive, paints, athletic equipment, apparel and more. Bio-PDOhas demonstrated that our approach to integrated science works. We are seeing further evidence of this in the development of advanced biofuels and other renewable products in our pipeline. I am more confident than ever that we as a society are making progress toward building a global economy that addresses energy challenges in a sustainable way."

Tate & Lyle's Chief Executive Iain Ferguson said, "Today's event is the culmination of our companies working together to open up real commercial opportunities and drive scientific advancement. Industrial biotechnology that remains focused on the consumer can help businesses not only reduce their dependence on traditional petrochemical fuel sources ? helping companies to cut costs and pollution ? but also can deliver more choice and better products for consumers."

Bio-PDO is available in two grades: Zemea and Susterra propanediol. Zemea has been developed for the personal care and liquid detergent categories where high purity level and low irritation are key product requirements. Susterra propanediol is ideal for industrial applications such as de-icing fluids, anti-freeze and heat transfer fluids, where its low toxicity and biodegradability are beneficial. To learn more about Susterra or Zemea corn-derived propanediol, visit www.duponttateandlyle.com.
Today's event was webcast and can be viewed at:
http://mediasite.advancedav.com/dupont/register.html.

DuPont is a science-based products and services 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 and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.


2006/12/06

デュポン テイト・アンド・ライル バイオプロダクツ社 世界初、トウモロコシ由来のプロバンジオールを生産開始
  -米国テネシー州の総工費一億ドルの工場が稼動-

 米国デュポン社(本社:デラウエア州ウィルミントン、会長兼最高経営責任者、チャールズ・O・ホリデー・ジュニア)と英国のテイト・アンド・ライル社の折半出資による合弁会社、デュポン テイト・アンド・ライル バイオプロダクツ社(DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products, LLC)は、11月27日(米国時間)、米国テネシー州ラウドンに建設した総工費1億ドルの製造拠点から、デュポンTMBio-PDOTM製品の出荷を開始したと発表しました。ラウドン工場は、再生可能な資源としてトウモロコシの糖分から1,3プロバンジオール(Bio-PDOTM)を製造する施設で、この新しいバイオベース製品の製造拠点としては世界初となります。

 同合弁会社は、デュポンとテイト・アンド・ライル社が共同開発した独自の発酵プロセスを導入し、石油ベースの原材料の代わりにトウモロコシを使用してBio-PDOTMを製造します。Bio-PDOTMの生産に必要なエネルギーは、石油由来のプロバンジオールの生産に必要なエネルギーに比べ40%低減します。これは、地球温暖化ガスの排出量を20%減らすことに相当します。また、年間Bio-PDOTMを1億ポンド(4万5千トン超)生産した場合、年間でガソリン1千万ガロン(約3億7千8百万リットル、自動車22,000台分)の節約に相当します。

 「Bio-PDOTMは、デュポンTMソロナ®のような特殊ポリマーなど、様々な製品の原材料として幅広く利用することができる。また化粧品や液体洗剤、不凍液などの工業用途にも適している」「Bio−PDOTMは、性能に優れ、生分解の性質を持ち、石油由来製品との代替が可能であることから、あらゆる用途で強い需要がある。現在グリコールを使用しているところは、いずれは、再生可能な原材料を使った当社の製品への切り替えを検討することになるだろう」とデュポン テイト・アンド・ライル バイオプロダクツ社社長のスティーヴン・ミルシャクは述べています。

 「ラウドン工場からの記念すべきBio-PDO
TM出荷第一号は、高性能かつ再生可能な資源から作られた材料を提供するデュポンのバイオベースパイプラインの商業化開始を飾るものだ」「様々な用途に実用化できるBio-PDOTMは大きな期待が持てる技術だ。この新技術が、主な市場のあらゆる製品に新たな可能性をもたらすことは明らかだ」とデュポン首席副社長兼イノベーション最高責任者のトーマス・コネリーは述べています。

 テイト・アンド・ライル社の米国フード&工業材料部門の社長、D・リン・グライダーは次のように述べています。「テイト・アンド・ライルの研究者はこれまで80年以上にわたり、トウモロコシや小麦、砂糖など、再生可能な資源を原材料とする製品の開発を行ってきた。その中でもBio-PDOTMは、特に優れたアイテムとして当社の工業用原料の一つとして加わった。私たちは、引き続き研究開発に資本を投じ、戦略的な提携関係を維持することで、世界規模で増大する、石油由来の製品と同等またはそれを上回る機能を持つ再生可能資源から作られた製品への需要に応えるための協力が可能となる。商品化第一号の出荷は、今回の合弁事業の大きなマイルストーンであり、理論から実用への重要な移行を示すものだ。」

 Bio-PDOTMの出荷第一弾は、ソロナ®ポリマーの製造用としてデュポン社へ、そしてBio-PDOTMを用いた新しい工業製品の評価を行う顧客へ届けられました。Bio-PDOTMは、単体で、あるいは、これまで石油由来の原材料から作られた材料を使用していた製品の原材料の一つとして、様々な用途で使用することができます。
 また、同合弁会社はBio-PDO
TMの新しい2つのブランド名ZemeaTMプロパンジオールとSusterraTMプロパンジオールを発表しました。ZemeaTMプロパンジオールは、純度の高さと低刺激性が利点の、パーソナルケアおよび液体洗剤等の市場向けの製品です。SusterraTMプロパンジオールは、低毒性および生分解性にメリットがあり、解凍液、不凍液、熱媒体油といった工業用Bio-PDOTMです。

 また、Bio-PDOTM はデュポンの最新製品であるソロナ®ポリマーの主成分でもあります。ソロナ®は、様々な用途において他にない数多くの特性を発揮する高機能ポリマーです。ソロナ®をカーペットの繊維に用いた場合、柔らかい感触と耐久性に加え、優れた防汚性能を発揮します。また、アパレル素材としては、抜群の柔らかさ、快適な伸縮性と回復力を持ち、手入れが簡単で紫外線や塩素にも耐性を発揮します。現在、家庭用カーペット市場においては、モホーク・インダストリー社より、ソロナ®ポリマー配合SmartStrandTMのブランド名で販売されています。ソロナ®はこのほか、自動車や室内装備、パッケージおよびエンジニアリングプラスチック材など、様々な用途での利用が可能です。現在は、ソロナ®はまだ石油ベースの原料から作られていますが、2007年初旬からBio-PDOTMを使ったソロナ®の製造が開始されます。これにより、約40%が再生可能な資源から作られた材料、という新しい特徴が加わります。

 テイト・アンド・ライル社は革新的な技術を用い、トウモロコシ、小麦、砂糖を付加価値の高い材料に転換し、食品、飲料、医薬、化粧品、製紙、包装および建設などの産業に提供しています。穀類を使った甘味料、デンプン、精糖、高付加価値食品および工業用原料、およびクエン酸などを扱う大手企業のテイト・アンド・ライル社は、工業用デンプンでは世界第一位の企業であり、SPLENDA®スクラロース(高甘味度甘味料)を製造する唯一のメーカーです。テイト・アンド・ライル社は、強力かつ成長を遂げている研究開発組織を背景に、世界中の多くの人々が日常的に使用する製品の、風味、食感、栄養、および機能を高める価値を提供しています。

 テイト・アンド・ライル社は過去10年のうちに、同社のテクノロジーの中核をなす発酵技術を確立し、現在では世界有数の発酵メーカーとして4つの大陸に17の発酵設備を所有しています。製品群としては、
Bio-PDO
TMのほか、クエン酸やキサンタンガムなどの多糖類、カロチンを培養したアスタキサンチン食用色素、および燃料用および飲料用エタノールなどがあります。

 デュポンは20年前に環境保護に関する目標を公表した最初の企業の一つです。今年、その持続可能性について、公約の対象範囲を拡大し、環境負荷を削減するだけでなく、売上や研究開発への投資といった市場重視の目標も盛り込んだ新しい目標を発表しました。その目標は、ビジネスの成長、とりわけ当社が重要視するグローバルでの主要な市場に対して、より安全で環境対応に優れた新製品開発と直接結びついています。

デュポン社は、科学的な発見や発明を基盤に製品やサービスを提供する企業です。創立は1802年、本社は米国デラウエア州ウィルミントンに置かれています。世界70カ国余りに拠点があり、農業・食品関連、建築・建設、通信、輸送の分野で、革新的な製品やサービスをお届けしています。世界中の人々の生活をより安全で豊かにするために、科学の力を生かした持続可能なソリューションを創出しています。

デュポンオーバルマーク、デュポンTM、The Miracles of ScienceTM 、Bio-PDOTM、ソロナ®ポリマーは、米国デュポン社及び関連会社の商標あるいは登録商標です。

 


DuPont News, August 2, 2007

DuPont Settles Patent Infringement Case Against Chinese Company

DuPont has settled a patent infringement lawsuit it filed earlier this year against Trustchem Co., Ltd., also known as Jiangsu Trustchem Chemicals Co., Ltd., in China.  Under the terms of the settlement, Trustchem will pay monetary compensation and make a public apology to DuPont for losses resulting from Trustchem actions.  Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

DuPont initiated the lawsuit in the Nanjing, Jiangsu Province in March in response to illegal Trustchem sales of agricultural products containing rimsulfuron, which are protected by a DuPont patent in China.  Rimsulfuron is an active ingredient in crop protection herbicides that are marketed around the world under the Titus®, Matrix® and Resolve® trademarks.

This lawsuit represents part of an ongoing DuPont Crop Protection program to protect its intellectual property rights worldwide.  Based on these investigations, DuPont has filed similar patent infringement actions against several other companies, issued numerous "cease and desist" letters and is actively investigating several other businesses in China that are suspected of violating DuPont patents.

"DuPont aggressively protects its intellectual property and will enforce its rights to prevent counterfeiting of its product, infringement of its patents and trademarks, theft of its trade secrets and other illegal activities," said Glen Baldwin, lead counsel for DuPont Crop Protection.  Through vigorous enforcement of its intellectual property rights, DuPont intends to preserve the value of its proprietary products and protect the best interests of its customers, particularly growers who have come to rely on the quality of DuPont products.


DuPont News, August 22, 2007

New Monomer Material to Reduce Shrinkage of Dental Composites -- Putting Science to Work

DuPont has signed an agreement with GC Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, a major global manufacturer of dental materials and equipment, to provide next-generation dental monomer technology that reduces the shrinkage of dental composites. 

GC Corporation offers outstanding performance in dental composites that have superior function, quality and aesthetics,Shoji Akahane, GC Corporation director of Research and Development, said.  “We believe that the combination of the DuPont monomer technology with our companys dental composite expertise has resulted in the development of a superior and innovative dental composite resin for the global market.

The DuPont technology is unique -- offering the ability to optimize dental composites to offer enhanced properties including higher flex strength, fracture toughness and better handling while enabling reduced shrinkage.  DuPont will license the technology and branding of the product.   

Until now, advances in dental composites technology have focused on creating better fillers,said Randy Milby, global business director, DuPont BioMedical.  “DuPont identified a unique opportunity to bring our science to bear on improvements that could incorporate our proprietary materials technology to the monomer side of the composite.  These new monomers represent a significant step-change in dental composite technology.  We are pleased to partner with GC Corporation -- a company we believe will deliver this technology for widespread use by dentists throughout the world.

 


DuPont News, August 23, 2007

Expanding to Support Asia Growth for Engineering Resins

DuPont has enhanced its global manufacturing network in support of strong Asia demand for its engineering resins through a 20,000-tons-per-year expansion at its Ulsan, Korea, compounding facility for nylon resins. 

The capacity expansion is in response to rapid growth in demand for DuPont Zytel® nylon resins in the region, particularly for automotive applications, and complements other recent engineering polymers investments in Singapore for DuPont Zytel® HTN high-performance polyamide and DuPont Vespel® parts and shapes.  DuPonts Engineering Polymers business also has a significant presence in the companys Shanghai research and development center and in the DuPont Nagoya, Japan, Automotive Center.

Continuing to invest in the regions with the highest market growth is a key strategy for the company and our business,said Richard Mayo, global business director, DuPont Engineering Polymers.  “This new capacity will enable us to respond quickly to local customer needs and ensure the supply of high-quality products required to meet the rapidly increasing demand in Asia.  We are committed to a program of investment to support the growth of our global customers and at the same time reinforce our position as the leading supplier of engineering resins.

"One of our companys strategies is going where the growth is.  We are pleased to have this capacity expansion in Korea to meet the increasing demand of two key growth industries in Korea, which are automotive and electronics,said Cheoroo Won, president, DuPont Korea.  “This new capacity will help us strengthen our partnership with our global and regional customers as they continue to grow their business in Korea and in the region.


DuPont News, September 20, 2007

$500 Million Expansion Planned for Kevlar®

DuPont plans to invest over USD 500 million in a multi-phase production expansion for its high-performance Kevlar® para-aramid brand fiber, starting with a Kevlar® polymer expansion in Richmond, Va., later this year.  For DuPont, a world leader in para-aramid sales, this expansion would increase Kevlar® capacity by more than 25 percent when complete in 2010 and represents the largest Kevlar® expansion since the product was introduced in 1965.  Details about additional expansion phases will be announced at a later date.

"Global demand for DuPont Kevlar® has soared with the growing need for safety and security worldwide," said Tom Powell, vice president and general manager - DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems.  "In addition, high energy prices have increased demand for the lightweight strength of Kevlar® in the aerospace, oil and gas, and automotive industries.  Our capacity expansion plan is a critical step in growing the Kevlar® business, maintaining DuPont leadership in high performance fibers, and delivering the innovation customers expect from DuPont."

"This is a significant investment for DuPont and underscores our commitment to sustainability and providing products that improve the safety and protection of people and critical processes around the world," Mark Vergnano, group vice president - DuPont Safety & Protection, said.  "We are focusing our investment on products like Kevlar® that meet the needs of these multi-billion-dollar growth industries for high-performance, innovative materials."

DuPont is committed to investment in both Kevlar® and Nomex® brand aramid fibers, including several recent investments in both products.  Between 2000 and 2006, DuPont successfully completed four Kevlar® fiber expansion projects at its Richmond, Va., and Maydown, Northern Ireland, facilities.  The latest expansions incorporated a proprietary New Fiber Technology (NFT) developed and patented by DuPont.  This new technology enables innovative fiber and production capabilities for DuPont and is essential to help meet future market needs.  In August 2006, DuPont announced it expected to invest more than USD 100 million in a three-phase capacity expansion that would raise Nomex® fiber and paper capability by approximately 10 percent.  The first phase of the Nomex® expansion is scheduled to go online later this year.


2007/10/11

DuPont ordered to provide medical monitoring in Harrison County

DuPont Co. has been ordered to provide medical monitoring for Harrison County, West Virginia residents who were exposed to dangerous chemicals at a waste site.

A Harrison County jury ruled Wednesday that
DuPont must finance monitoring for about 7,000 residents who were exposed to arsenic, cadmium and lead contamination. The verdict is the result of the second phase of a class-action lawsuit filed by 10 residents of Spelter.

The residents accused DuPont of deliberately dumping dangerous heavy metals on an industrial site in Spelter, causing the contamination.

DuPont must
finance the medical monitoring for the next 40 years, attorney Mike Papantonio said. Papantonio is representing the class.

"This provides some security for families and their children that DuPont was unwilling to voluntarily provide," Papantonio said in a prepared statement.

The medical monitoring plan would offer voluntary testing for lung, skin, stomach, bladder and kidney cancer, as well as for kidney function, cognitive problems and lead poisoning.

The Spelter residents won the first phase of the case Oct. 1 when a Harrison Circuit Court jury found DuPont liable for creating the waste site. The third phase, which began Thursday, will address property damage claims.

According to The Associated Press, DuPont set aside $15 million to deal with the lawsuit.


2007/10/10 AP

Medical Monitoring Ordered in Waste Case

DuPont Co. must provide medical monitoring for about 7,000 residents who were exposed to arsenic, cadmium and lead contamination from a waste site at a former Harrison County smelter, a jury said Wednesday.

The verdict came in the second phase of the trial of a class-action lawsuit filed by 10 residents of Spelter who accused DuPont of deliberately dumping dangerous heavy metals on an industrial site there.

The jury found that DuPont must finance medical monitoring for the next 40 years, said Mike Papantonio, who represents the residents.

"This provides some security for families and their children that DuPont was unwilling to voluntarily provide," he said in a prepared statement.

DuPont spokesman Tim Ireland said the company will continue to defend itself.

"Under the trial court's prior rulings, the judge will make the ultimate decision on the scope, cost and duration of any medical monitoring program," Ireland said in a prepared statement.

Spelter residents won the first phase of their case Oct. 1, when jurors in Harrison County Circuit Court found DuPont liable for and negligent in creating the waste site. The 11-member jury also found that Delaware-based DuPont created a public and private nuisance and that its pollution trespassed onto private property.

DuPont has already set aside $15 million to deal with the lawsuit.

The plaintiffs proposed a 40-year medical monitoring plan that would offer voluntary testing for lung, skin, stomach, bladder and kidney cancer, as well as for kidney function, cognitive problems and lead poisoning. Lead is not a carcinogen but can cause such problems as spontaneous abortions, low birth weight, memory and learning problems, bone fragility and cardiovascular disease.

A third phase of the lawsuit, expected to begin Thursday, will address property damage claims. It is expected to last two to three days, Papantonio said.

The final phase will address whether DuPont's conduct merits punitive damages.

The property owners sued DuPont and New York-based T.L. Diamond & Co. in 2004 over claims the companies deliberately dumped dangerous heavy metals on the industrial site in the heart of their town.

T.L. Diamond :Manufactures Zinc Powder & Zinc Oxide

T.L. Diamond ran the plant from 1975 to 2001, when regulators recommended the site be declared an imminent and substantial threat to public health.

DuPont has been involved with the property since 1899 when it bought the land for a gunpowder mill. The company reassumed ownership when the zinc plant closed.

While Diamond is a defendant, the company isn't actively participating in the trial. The judge in the case ruled previously that DuPont is responsible for Diamond's conduct because of the 2001 sales agreement.

DuPont is currently funding a medical screening that stemmed from a settlement involving the contamination of public water supplies at another West Virginia operation.

In that case, a court-appointed panel of scientists is conducting medical screening of up to 70,000 West Virginia and Ohio residents to determine if a chemical used to produce Teflon has harmed their health. The chemical, ammonium perfluorooctanoate, known as C8, is used at DuPont's Washington Works Plant near Parkersburg and contaminated their water supplies.

DuPont agreed to fund the health screening in that case and install carbon filters at six water district filtration plants to screen out the chemical.


October 15, 2007 Bloomberg

DuPont Must Pay $55 Million for Cleanup of Structures

DuPont Co. must pay $55.5 million to remove hazardous substances near a waste pile created by a West Virginia zinc-smelting facility, a jury said, opening the door to a possible punitive damage award against the company.

The verdict today in Clarksburg, West Virginia, followed an Oct. 1 finding by the state court jury that DuPont, the third- largest U.S. chemical maker, negligently created the 60-acre pile including arsenic, lead and cadmium in the town of Spelter. The jury said Oct. 10 that DuPont must pay for medical monitoring of about 8,000 residents. Today, in the third phase of the trial, it ordered the company to remove waste from homes and businesses.

``We must do a thorough remediation of these homes, as thorough as we can, so that we can prevent further exposure,'' Kirk Brown, an environmental expert for the residents, told the jury of 10 women and one man during the trial. DuPont spokesman Tim Ireland said the company will ``continue to present evidence in this case'' and declined to comment further.

DuPont's loss means the trial will move tomorrow to a fourth phase on potential punitive damages. In the first phase, the jury said that, while other companies affiliated with the plant contributed to the pollution, Wilmington, Delaware-based DuPont is liable for 100 percent of the damage. In the second phase, the jury ordered it to pay for medical monitoring.

Criminal Charges

DuPont today said the U.S. Department of Justice won't pursue criminal charges against the company for the use of a chemical found in drinking water, also in West Virginia.

Andrew Ames, spokesman for the Justice Department, confirmed the letter was sent. ``We have completed a review of information made available to us and we will not be pursuing criminal charges at this time,'' Ames said.

Plaintiffs' lawyer Mike Papantonio said today's verdict in the waste pile case is ``a model that should be used by environmental lawyers all over America to gain control over renegade corporations,'' referring to allowing juries to use state law to address environmental damage.

The panel deliberated for seven hours before reaching today's verdict.

The trial's third phase, on property remediation, started Oct. 11. The plan calls for homes to be emptied and cleaned, especially attics, and for new air-conditioning ducts to be installed, Brown said. Soil also will be replaced at homes nearest the waste pile. The process would take about two weeks for each home.

Cost For Cleaning

Brown estimated the cost for cleaning the entire area -- with 2,159 houses, 457 trailer homes and 205 businesses -- at $62.9 million. The cost to DuPont under the $55.5 million verdict comes to an average of about $19,700 per structure.

``None of these numbers have been challenged by DuPont,'' plaintiffs' lawyer Farrest J. Taylor told the jurors in his opening statement, referring to a breakdown of the total money figure. ``DuPont says no remediation is necessary.''

Taylor said the project would take 2 1/2 years to complete.

``It'll be an intensive process, yes, more than has been done elsewhere, but I think there's plenty of evidence that it's needed,'' Brown testified.

``Essentially, we want to remove, to the greatest extent possible, the soil and the dust -- get it out of there,'' Brown testified. ``And anything we can't remove, we'll seal.''

DuPont bought the site of the 100-foot waste pile in 1899 for a gunpowder plant, according to court records. Residents said zinc operations since 1910 produced water pollution and dust that subjected them to risk of neurological diseases and cancer.

`Furthest Area''

``Most of these funds have been allotted to the furthest area from the plant, where there has been the least testing,'' DuPont lawyer Jeffrey Hall told jurors in his closing argument for the property-remediation phase.

The jury today awarded nothing for the residents' and business owners' ``annoyance and inconvenience'' for having to have their houses and businesses fixed.

DuPont lawyer David Thomas told jurors the company has been cleaning the waste site, capping it with a liner and seeding topsoil.

DuPont shares rose 31 cents to $49.37 in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Dow Chemical Co. is the largest U.S. chemical maker, followed by Exxon Mobil Corp.

The case is Perrine v. E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co., CA04-C-296-2, Circuit Court of Harrison County, West Virginia (Clarksburg).

---

Associated Press 2007/10/18

DuPont Lawsuit Winds Down

DuPont manipulated state environmental regulators and lied to residents about the dangers surrounding a zinc-smelting plant in Spelter and should now pay a high price for its wanton, willful and reckless conduct, attorney Robert Kennedy Jr. argued Thursday as a class-action medical monitoring lawsuit went to the jury.

The 11-member panel in Harrison County Circuit Court must weigh whether to award punitive damages to 10 Spelter residents suing the chemical giant in a complex four-part trial involving property damage claims, long-term health screenings and corporate accountability.

The jury recessed after roughly three hours of deliberation Thursday without reaching a verdict. It was scheduled to begin further deliberation Friday.

Kennedy accused DuPont of repeatedly misleading the public with many "little lies" intended to save the company money on testings and cleanups.

"They were being cagey. They were being dodgy. They were being coy. They were being clever," he said. "That is who DuPont is. They have lost touch with their moral bearings."

DuPont attorney Jeffrey Hall argued his client did what state and federal regulators demanded, voluntarily removing a 112-acre waste pile tainted with arsenic, cadmium and lead, then capping it with plastic and clean soil.

"You've seen a lot of arm-waving, finger-pointing, name-calling," he told the jury. "Those are tactics to divert. They're tactics to anger you, to have you decide this case on anger, not evidence."

The plaintiffs won the first phase of their case Oct. 1, when jurors found DuPont liable for and negligent in creating the waste site. They also found DuPont had created a public and private nuisance and that its pollution trespassed onto private property.

In the second phase of the trial, the jury required DuPont to provide medical monitoring for 40 years to people who were exposed to the arsenic, cadmium and lead. Judge Thomas Bedell will determine how the plan will be administered.

On Monday, jurors decided DuPont should pay about $55.5 million to clean up private properties.

Hall said DuPont does not deserve to be punished further.

He argued DuPont should be applauded for using the state-run, voluntary remediation program to clean up the Spelter site rather than the federal Superfund program. He claims Superfund is no more effective, much slower moving and potentially more disruptive to the quality of life because some Superfund cleanups have involved letting large waste piles burn.

Hall also dismissed the plaintiffs' claims that state Department of Environmental Protection officials were complicit in allowing the pollution to occur, then sparing DuPont the expense of cleaning up the neighborhoods along with the site. He called those claims unsubstantiated.

But Kennedy said DuPont "had the state wired" with close contacts with people including DEP Secretary - and former DuPont attorney - Stephanie Timmermeyer.

"This agency was a hand puppet for this company," he charged.

"These gentlemen have come here day after day and said, 'We did what the agencies told us to do,' but they were lying to the agencies," he said, claiming DuPont routinely massaged statistics to suit its purposes. "This is part of the corporate DNA, these tiny perjuries that illustrate what the corporate culture here is really all about."

Kennedy pointed to the packed courtroom, where dozens of residents sat shoulder to shoulder, and urged the jury to send a message to DuPont and other industries he said are raping the state's natural resources.

"These were people who could not believe that other human beings were able to treat them this way, but this was a company that is willing to treat all of these people as if they were commodities," he said. "They looked over the green landscape of West Virginia and they saw a commodity. They saw cash."


Associated Press October 19, 2007

DuPont Is Ordered to Pay $196.2 Million in Dumping Case

DuPont Co. was ordered Friday to pay $196.2 million in punitive damages for deliberately dumping dangerous heavy metals on an industrial site, ending a complex trial involving property damage claims, long-term health screenings and corporate accountability.

The lawsuit accused DuPont of deliberately dumping toxic arsenic, cadmium and lead on the site of a former zinc-smelting plant, leaving thousands of residents in and around the small town of Spelter in fear for their health.

Ten Harrison County residents who sued DuPont won the first phase of their case Oct. 1, when jurors found the chemical company liable for and negligent in creating the waste site. They also found DuPont had created a public and private nuisance and that its pollution trespassed onto private property.

In the second phase of the trial, the jury required DuPont to provide medical monitoring for 40 years to people who were exposed to the arsenic, cadmium and lead. Judge Thomas Bedell will determine how the plan will be administered.

On Monday, jurors decided DuPont should pay about $55.5 million to clean up private properties.

DuPont said it would appeal the decision.

"We are extremely disappointed by the outcome of the Spelter case. With today's decision, DuPont believes it has been unfairly punished for doing the right thing for this property and this community," the company said in a statement.

DuPont lawyer Jeffrey Hall also said he was displeased with the verdict.

"DuPont last owned this property in 1950. Forty-six years later, DuPont came back. It alone, among all the prior owners of this property, worked with the DEP, cleaned up the property, and helped the community," he said. "We will appeal."

Following the conclusion of the fourth and final phase of the lawsuit, the plaintiffs _ hugging each other and their lawyers _ celebrated with a cake in the hallway outside the courtroom.

Plaintiff Waunona Crouser said the three years since the class-action lawsuit was filed have been stressful but she never doubted the 11-member jury would do the right thing.

"They're West Virginians and that's how we are in the state of West Virginia. We watch each other's backs. We don't let people do this to us."

 


October 25, 2007 DuPont

DuPont Announces Nanotechnology Alliance that Combines the Best of Polymers with the Best of Metals

DuPont today announced an alliance with Canada-based Morph Technologies Inc., Integran Technologies Inc. , and U.S.-based PowerMetal Technologies to develop and commercialize a nanocrystalline metal/polymer hybrid technology that will be used to manufacture extremely lightweight components with the strength and stiffness of metal and the design flexibility and lightweight benefits of high-performance thermoplastics.

DuPont has consistently led the industry in providing metal replacement solutions. Now we are turning traditional plastic/metal hybrid technology inside-out with an innovative metal over plastictechnology that delivers not only a step-change in performance, but also provides product designers with a technology that can help shift the current paradigm,Keith J. Smith , vice president and general manager - DuPont Engineering Polymers, said.

The new offering- MetaFuseTM nanometal/polymer hybrids - uses a proprietary process that precisely applies ultra high-strength nanometal to components made of DuPont engineering polymers. This creates lightweight components in myriad, complex shapes with the stiffness of magnesium or aluminum and higher strength.

The patented technology in MetaFuseTM nanometal/polymer hybrids produces metals with grain size結晶粒径 1,000 times smaller than those of conventional metals, according to Gino Palumbo, president and chief technology officer of Integran Technologies Inc. This technology directly creates an integral metal cladding with a nanocrystalline grain structure. Nanoparticles are not created at any stage in the manufacturing process. Nano-crystalline nickel or nickel-iron are high-performance metals that are two to three times stronger than normal steel and also are significantly harder, with better wear and friction performance,Palumbo said.

MetaFuseTM nanometal/polymer hybrids are exciting for product and component designers because they truly allow freedom to design with fewer limits,Clive Robertson, business development manager - DuPont Engineering Polymers, said. Metal offers strength and high stiffness, but is limited in its ability to enable integration and to cost effectively create complex shapes. Conversely, thermoplastic offers tremendous freedom to create shapes and to integrate functions, but it has suffered from some limitation in combining strength and stiffness. With this technology, designers can have the best of both worlds.

Initial developments will focus on selected applications in the automotive, consumer electronics and sporting goods markets that offer the maximum benefits that the technology can deliver. Under the agreement, DuPont will lead application development for global customers to bring this innovative technology to market by utilizing its global development, R&D and customer-support centers.

The foundation of DuPont Engineering Polymers is application development based on high-performance materials and technology aimed at helping customers deliver high-quality, cost-effective systems and components,said Robertson. MetaFuseTM is a logical extension of that offering and builds out our newest Advanced Metals Replacement portfolio, which today includes an array of stiff, strong, impact-resistant thermoplastics and is slated to expand even further in the near future.

This new offering is part of DuPont Engineering Polymers Advanced Metals Replacement portfolio, which also includes SuperStructural Monolithic Solutions, an array of glass-, carbon- and long-fiber reinforced thermoplastics.

DuPont Engineering Polymers manufactures and sells Zytel® nylon and Zytel® HTN PPA, Crastin® PBT, Rynite® PET, Delrin® acetal, Hytrel® TPC-ET, DuPontETPV engineering thermoplastic vulcanizates, Minlon® mineral reinforced nylon, Thermx® PCT, Tynex® filaments, Vespel® parts and shapes and Zenite® LCP to global aerospace, appliance, automotive, consumer, electrical, electronic, industrial, sporting goods and other diversified industries.

Morph Technologies, Inc. is a privately owned company charged to commercialize Integran's proprietary nanomaterial technology for automotive applications. Integran Technologies, Inc. is a global leader in the development of nanomaterials, with business operations in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Toronto, Ont., Canada. PowerMetal Technologies, Inc, based in Carlsbad, Calif., is a leading supplier of nanotechnology enabled components to the sporting goods and consumer products industries. PowerMetal is already commercially supplying nanometal/thermoset polymer hybrid products that apply the same concept as the alliance is introducing for thermoplastic polymers.

DuPont is a science-based products and services 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 and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.


Oct 26 2007 Integran

Integran and Dupont Engineering Polymers Enter Into a Market Development Alliance Agreement for Nanotechnology-enabled Materials

Integran Technologies Inc., announced today that it has entered into a Market Development Alliance Agreement (MDA) with DuPont Engineering Polymers. Under the terms of the agreement, Integran and DuPont Engineering Polymers will collaborate exclusively to develop and commercialize several industrial products based upon MetaFusenanometal/polymer hybrids - a novel hybrid material platform comprised of DuPont crystalline engineered polymers and polymer composites, and Integrans nanocrystalline metal, alloy and metal-matrix composite technology.

We are very pleased to be working with DuPont Engineering Polymers in this advanced materials development and commercialization initiative which seeks to achieve cost-effective functionality and structural performance well beyond the limitations of current engineered materials,said Dr. Gino Palumbo, President & CEO of Integran. The DuPont portfolio of proprietary crystalline engineering polymer technologies, their application development capability and their global market access are critical to achieving the aggressive development and commercialization goals we have jointly established for the MetaFusenano/metal polymer technology.

This innovative metal over plastic technology brings not only a step-change in performance, but also provides product designers with a technology that can shift their paradigm. Early target applications for the MetaFusetechnology include critical industrial components and consumer electronics, said Clive Robertson, DuPont Engineering Polymers business development manager.

MetaFuse employs a proprietary process that precisely applies ultra high-strength nanometal to components made of DuPont Engineering Polymers to create lightweight components in myriad, complex shapes with the stiffness of magnesium or aluminum and higher strength. Nanoparticles are not created at any stage in this process."

About Integran
Integran Technologies Inc. is a world leader in the development and commercialization of advanced metallurgical nano-technologies. Integran
s affiliated companies include: Morph Technologies (Toronto, Canada) which is focused on advanced materials solutions for the automotive sector; Powermetal Technologies (Carlsbad, CA) which develops and manufactures products for the sports equipment and consumer product sectors; and Integran Defense Systems (Pittsburgh, PA) which develops leading-edge technologies for defense and homeland security. www.integran.com.


DuPont News, December 4, 2007

DuPont Forms Joint Venture with Chinese Biotech Firm

DuPont and Beijing Weiming Kaituo Agriculture Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (BWK) are forming a joint venture to accelerate the discovery of genes for high-value agronomic traits such as stress tolerance and efficient nutrient utilization to improve the performance of important crops for farmers in China and throughout the world.  For DuPont, this marks another step toward the globalization of its R&D capabilities to accelerate new product launches and drive business growth for its worldwide seed business, Pioneer Hi-Bred. 

"Novel trait combinations that provide plants with genetic solutions to successfully confront the challenges of water and nutrient deficiencies and cope with unfavorable wind and temperature extremes resonate with every farmer I've ever worked with," said Bill Niebur, DuPont vice president, Crop Genetics Research and Development.  "This new joint venture brings together industry-leading biotechnology researchers to develop enabling technologies and discover new genes for important agronomic traits that can further improve farmer productivity and profitability globally."

Peking University and its affiliate, Peking University Weiming Biotech Group Co., Ltd., are significant participants in the joint venture through an ownership stake in BWK.

"China has emphasized that its growth efforts need to place a greater emphasis on sustainability and the environment," said Doug Muzyka, president of DuPont Greater China and Du Pont China Holding Co., Ltd.  "Clearly, DuPont's core values and global strategies for growth align with China's vision to develop its agricultural sector and overall economy.  This research-focused joint venture will allow us to develop more sustainable technologies to address the global challenges of improving agricultural economics - enhancing farmers' quality of life and securing the world's food supply on a decreasing amount of cultivatable land."


December 18, 2007  DuPont

DuPont Selects South Carolina Site for Planned $500 Million Investment To Expand Production of High-Performance Kevlar® Fiber

DuPont has selected its Cooper River plant to receive the planned $500 million investment it recently announced to significantly expand production of high-performance DuPont Kevlar® para-aramid brand fiber for industrial and military uses.

The investment at the Cooper River site, which is located about 30 miles north of Charleston in Berkeley County, will include construction of a new Kevlar® fiber facility. It is expected to require 100 permanent DuPont jobs, as well as more than 400 contractor jobs during peak construction, which is scheduled to begin in January 2008. The plant's startup is scheduled for 2010.

The new Cooper River facility is the centerpiece of a multi-phase, multi-year Kevlar® production expansion announced in September that will ultimately increase global Kevlar® production capacity by more than 25 percent. The company is investing an additional $50 million at its Spruance plant in Richmond, Va., to increase Kevlar® polymer production. The combined expansion represents the largest single investment in Kevlar® and the largest capacity increase since the fiber was introduced in 1965.

"The new plant at Cooper River, together with our other global assets, will help DuPont meet strong and growing global demand for Kevlar®," said Thomas G. Powell , vice president and general manager, DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems. "It also will allow us to put our innovative science to work to develop new, differentiated Kevlar® products using the latest new fiber technologies that protect people and processes.

DuPont's Cooper River plant opened in 1973. The site currently has 60 employees and produces DuPont Hytrel® thermoplastic polyester elastomer, which is used primarily in the automotive industry.

Best known for its proven performance in ballistic and stab-resistant body armor, Kevlar® has helped save the lives of thousands of law enforcement officers and military personnel around the world. Between 2000 and 2006, DuPont successfully completed four Kevlar® fiber expansion projects at its Richmond, Va., and Maydown, Northern Ireland, facilities. Several of these expansions incorporated a proprietary New Fiber Technology (NFT) developed and patented by DuPont. This new technology provides a higher performance fiber for use in critical applications serving the military and law enforcement sectors, as well as the automotive, aerospace and oil and gas industries, among others.

Key growth applications for Kevlar® include:

DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems serves the global marketplace from offices in all major regions of the world and from five manufacturing facilities in Northern Ireland, Japan, Spain and the United States.

DuPont is a science-based products and services 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 and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

Discovered by DuPont scientists in 1965, Kevlar® is a man-made organic fiber that combines high strength with light weight, comfort, flexibility and protective properties. It is five times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis.


January 29, 2008 DuPont

DuPont Opens Fluoropolymer Production Plant in China  江蘇省常熟市
  
New PTFE Facility Will Support Growth in Global Markets

A new DuPont fluoropolymer production plant has begun operations here. The plant, which produces polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fine-powder and dispersion for global customers, with focus on Asia Pacific, marks a significant milestone in the companys strategic plan to establish a broader fluoroproducts manufacturing base in China.

The opening of the Changshu plant supports our belief that it is a very good time to invest in PTFE production in China,said Cynthia Green, vice president and general manager, DuPont Fluoroproducts. DuPonts advanced, high-quality PTFE products already have established a leading position in the market and are delivering benefits to our customers around the world.

PTFE products are generally supplied to automobile, apparel, construction, aviation, chemical manufacturing, and consumer and industrial cookware industries.

The Changshu plant is the fourth DuPont facility that has installed commercial production units using DuPontEchelontechnology which produces low-PFOA content aqueous fluoropolymer dispersions. Other DuPont facilities using the Echelontechnology are located in Parkersburg, West Virginia; Dordrecht, The Netherlands, and; Shimizu, Japan. Through the use of Echelontechnology, DuPont has qualified customers representing over 90 percent of its sales volume of aqueous fluoropolymer dispersions to use products that reduce PFOA content by at least 97 percent.

DuPont is a science-based products and services 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 and regions, 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.


2008/2/1 DuPont

DuPont Acquires Chemtura Fluorine Chemicals Business
  Expands Specialty Businesses, Advances Development Strategy for More Sustainable Products

DuPont today announced that it has completed its purchase of Chemtura Corporation
s fluorine chemicals business. The move is part of DuPonts strategy to expand its fluorochemicals business offerings; enhance its presence in specialty businesses such as the fire extinguishants, pharmaceutical propellants and fluoro-intermediate markets; and leverage the assets and technologies included in the acquisition for the development of more sustainable fluorochemical materials, such as low global warming potential mobile air-conditioning fluids, foam expansion agents and refrigeration technologies.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The acquisition includes
all of Chemturas fluorine business, along with the fluorine chemicals production unit that is part of Chemturas manufacturing site in El Dorado, Ark., which will be fully integrated into DuPonts operations. All fluorine chemicals intellectual property rights will be transferred to DuPont. Approximately 25 Chemtura employees will become part of DuPont Fluoroproducts.

We are pleased to bring together these complementary businesses and technologies for our customers,said Cindy Green, vice president and general manager - DuPont Fluoroproducts. With this acquisition, we will be able to provide our global customers with an expanded portfolio of products and continue to develop and introduce new, more sustainable solutions that combine strong product performance, reduced environmental footprint and economic viability to the fluorochemical markets we serve.

DuPont is a leader in the development of more sustainable fluorochemical products for applications serving consumer and industrial markets in refrigeration and air conditioning, foams, aerosol propellants and cleaning solvents. DuPont is committed to developing more sustainable products that reduce its environmental footprint and that of its customers. DuPont markets its products globally under the brands DuPont Suva(R) refrigerants, Dymel(R) propellants, Formacel(R) foam expansion agents, FE fire extinguishants, Zyron(R) electronic gases, and Vertrel(R) specialty fluids.

DuPont is a science-based products and services 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 and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.


2008/2/26 AP

Judge Upholds $196.2 Million Award Against DuPont

A circuit judge has upheld a $196.2 million punitive damages award against E.I. DuPont De Nemours & Co. (DD) in a class-action pollution case.

Harrison County Circuit Court Chief Judge Thomas A. Bedell also ordered the Wilmington, Delaware-based chemical giant on Monday to set aside nearly $130 million for a medical monitoring plan. Bedell said the plan would be operated on a pay-as-you-go basis but DuPont must put the total amount in an escrow account.

The jury in the case required DuPont to provide medical monitoring for 40 years to people who were exposed to arsenic, cadmium and lead from a former zinc-smelting plant in the small community of Spelter.

Bedell appointed attorney Edgar C. Gentle III as administrator of the medical monitoring plan. Gentle is a managing partner in Gentle, Pickens and Turner, a law firm in Birmingham, Ala., which is the escrow agent for a breast implant global settlement, according to the firm's Web site.

Ten residents of Spelter sued DuPont in 2004, claiming the company deliberately misled them about health risks from the pollution and delayed a site cleanup for as long as possible to maximize profits.

The lawsuit was tried last year in four phases involving property damage claims, long-term health screenings and corporate accountability. Jurors awarded the punitive damages in October in the trial's fourth phase.

In the other phases, the jury required medical monitoring and found DuPont liable for and negligent in creating the waste site. Jurors also found DuPont had created a public and private nuisance and that its pollution trespassed onto private property.

On Monday, Bedell approved $127 million in attorneys fees and nearly $8 million in litigation costs, which will be taken from the overall award of $381 million. He rejected DuPont's motion for a new trial.


February 26, 2008 Associated Press

DuPont to appeal $130 million W.Va. monitoring plan

DuPont wants the state Supreme Court to overturn a judge's order that it fund a $130 million medical monitoring program for people who live near a former zinc-smelting plant, arguing it's "a grossly inflated cost projection."

The figure is tens of millions higher than necessary and is being used to justify higher legal fees for the winning attorneys, the chemical giant argued today.

But Brian Barr, one of the Florida lawyers who represented residents of the small town of Spelter at trial last fall, dismissed DuPont's accusation as "simply not true."

"All DuPont is interested in doing is saving themselves money," he said.

In October, jurors in Harrison County Circuit Court convicted DuPont of wanton, willful and reckless conduct in its operation of the smelter.

They ordered DuPont to pay $196.2 million in punitive damages to residents who claimed the company had for decades downplayed and lied about health threats from arsenic, cadmium and lead that contaminated air, soil and water.

When combined with verdicts in other phases of the same trial, the awards against DuPont totaled nearly $400 million.

Late Monday, Circuit Judge Thomas Bedell rejected DuPont's request for a new trial, instead approving a 40-year health screening plan put forth by West Virginia University physician Charles Werntz. The plan will be reviewed every five years, and DuPont will follow "a pay as you go approach" to its costs, he ruled.

The plan covers 40 years because skin, liver, bladder and lung cancers can take decades to manifest.

WVU, which has a department in occupational and environmental medicine and a cancer center in Morgantown, is "uniquely qualified" to test the residents, build a database, report to the plan administrator and treat any residents who become sick, Bedell said.

But DuPont insists there was no scientific evidence to justify the medical monitoring plan, which includes low-dose
CT scans for screening of lung cancer or other conditions. It contends people who lived near the smelter do not face higher risks of disease, and that radiation from CT scans is in itself a risk.

Neither the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force "nor any other authoritative medical screening authority" recommends CT scans for asymptomatic patients, DuPont argues.

"The court's rulings ... ignore the consensus of the medical community," the company said.

During the trial, Werntz testified that any risk from a CT scan was outweighed by the potential benefit of early diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Bedell ruled the plaintiffs need not prove that such tests might extend their lives. He also noted that DuPont had presented no alternative to Werntz's plan, which Alabama attorney Edgar C. Gentle III will administer.

In a separate order Monday, Bedell awarded $135 million in attorneys' fees and related court costs, ruling they were reasonable for a case that took nearly four years and "tens of thousands of hours" to prepare, then five weeks to try.

Those fees will not affect the administration or funding of the medical monitoring program or a property cleanup program that was also ordered.

However, Bedell denied $75,000 "incentive payments" for the 10 named plaintiffs who represented thousands of their neighbors in the class-action lawsuit.

Bedell said that while lead plaintiff Lenora Perrine and the other citizens "have well served the interests of the class," there is nothing in West Virginia law to allow such payments.

Over 90 years, the Spelter plant produced more than 4 billion pounds of slab zinc and 400 million pounds of zinc dust, materials used in rustproofing products, paint pigments and battery anodes.

DuPont claims it did the right thing by the town, working with state regulators after 2001 to demolish factory buildings and cap the massive, 112-acre waste pile with plastic and fresh soil.

DuPont has been involved with the property since 1899, when it bought the land for a gunpowder mill. The company reassumed ownership from longtime operator T.L. Diamond when the zinc plant closed in 2001.

Barr said the plaintiffs are not surprised by DuPont's intention to appeal, which was clear throughout the trial.

"The jury heard all the evidence, knows the conduct of this organization and decided to hold them accountable," he said. "It's no surprise they will try to do everything they can to avoid accountability for this mess."