Continued Investment in R&D Brings Better Genetics, Traits to Market Faster PORTO NACIONAL, Brazil, and DES MOINES, Iowa, June 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DuPont today announced it has opened its newest seed research center in Brazil. The new center is located in Porto Nacional, Brazil, and will help DuPont accelerate global research efforts to bring better genetics and traits to market faster. "This new center will further strengthen our leadership position in Brazil and around the world," said Dean Oestreich, DuPont vice president and general manager and Pioneer Hi-Bred president. Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, has grown its corn seed business in the high-value Brazil market by 20 points in eight years by delivering products that help farmers increase their productivity. The research center will focus on winter nursery capabilities for corn and soybean breeding, drought tolerance and heat stress research, as well as local product development efforts. It will be instrumental in bringing new hybrids to market faster as a centralized site for doubled haploid inbred development -- an approach that accelerates product advancement. "We're confident the opportunities in agriculture will continue to grow in Brazil, including the expansion in soybean production, the transition from low technology to high technology corn production and new biotechnology traits," Oestreich said. "As DuPont grows its business in Brazil and around the world, all farmers will benefit from our worldwide crop genetics, research and development efforts. We have employees in 70 countries focused on a common goal -- to increase productivity to help meet growing world demand for food, feed, fuel and materials." The research center is planting its first crop in June and will be fully operational by 2008. It is part of a $100 million reinvestment plan by DuPont to increase investment in plant genetics, biotechnology and other high-value growth opportunities to increase speed-to-market for new seed products. The plan includes the addition of more than 400 positions globally, mainly in research and development at Pioneer, and expanding R&D efforts at 67 of the 92 Pioneer research centers worldwide. Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries. 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. DATASOURCE: DuPont CONTACT: Pat Arthur for DuPont, +1-515-334-6515 office, +1-515-422-3955 cell, Web site: http://www.dupont.com/

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