Tampa, Florida
March 1, 2007
Science and innovations are
ushering in a new era for agriculture as the world searches for
sustainable solutions to the biggest challenges facing the
globe, said DuPont research
and development leaders at the national meeting of U.S. corn,
soybean, and wheat farmer associations.
"Innovation at DuPont is accelerating. Connecting
customer-driven market insight with our technology capabilities
is proving to be the difference," said Thomas M. Connelly,
DuPont executive vice president and chief innovation officer, at
the 2007 Commodity Classic.
 "The
incredible productivity gains we are seeing from advanced plant
breeding and biotechnology today is only just the beginning,"
said William Niebur (photo), vice president -- DuPont Crop
Genetics Research and Development.
"By applying cutting-edge science across the biofuel value
chain, we will be able to help farmers more than double the
gallons of ethanol produced from an acre of corn -- 600 gallons
from grain and 200 gallons from
stover -- within the next 10 years," said Niebur.
In addition to increasing ethanol output through plant genetics
and cellulosic ethanol, DuPont is also developing advanced
biofuels that will also be produced from agricultural products.
Yesterday, DuPont partner Broin Companies was selected by the
U.S. Department of Energy to receive up to
$80 million in federal funding over the next four years to bring
cellulosic ethanol to market. DuPont is developing the
technology that Broin will use in its Emmetsburg, Iowa
biorefinery. This follows a visit by President George W. Bush
last month to the company's Wilmington, Del. research facilities
to tour DuPont's leading-edge biofuels R&D and commercialization
programs.
DuPont has also partnered with BP to bring biobutanol, the first
advanced biofuel to market. In addition, the company has also
developed a new polymer, DuPont™ Sorona®, that will soon be made
from renewable resources such as corn. Sorona(R) was introduced
in 2000 primarily for use in fiber applications, including
apparel and carpeting.
DuPont has launched an average of more than 1,000 new products
or new product applications in each of the past three years,
commercializing over 1,100 new products or new product
applications in 2006.
"We are putting innovations to work for customers across many
industries including agriculture," said Connelly. "The
opportunities to tackle the global challenges for food, feed,
fuel and materials with DuPont science are fantastic."
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.
The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, and
Sorona® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its
affiliates. |
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