Basel, Switzerland
April 4,  2001

Syngenta AG, the world's leading agribusiness, has opened a US $85 million operation in Nantong, China. The new state-of-the-art plant marks China's largest joint venture partnership in agrochemicals. The new site will manufacture Gramoxone®, one of the world's largest-selling herbicides, and Kung Fu®, a leading insecticide

Guests at the opening ceremony included Wang Xinfang, Vice-Minister of the State Environ-mental Protection Administration (SEPA), British Ambassador Sir Anthony Galsworthy KCMG, and Bruce Bissell, Syngenta's Head of Chemical Operations and Global Supply.
"This plant underscores Syngenta's commitment to the Chinese market," says Bruce Bissell. "We're particularly pleased that the facility was completed ahead of schedule, and on budget. Our local partners are Jiangshan Agrichemical and Chemical Co., Ltd. and Nantong Petro-chemicals Corporation. They have been key to making this project an excellent model of sino-foreign collaboration." The Nantong plant will supply the Chinese market, where demand for GramoxoneÒ continues to grow strongly, and other Asia Pacific countries. John Barnes, Head of Syngenta China, expects that the facility will create about 100 new jobs.

Syngenta is the world's leading agribusiness. The company ranks first in crop protection and third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Pro forma sales in 2000 were approximately US$6.9 billion. Syngenta employs more than 20,000 people in over 50 countries. The company is committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative Research and Technology. Formed in November 2000 by the merger of Novartis Agribusiness and Zeneca Agrochemicals, Syn-genta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange as well as in London, New York and Stockholm. Further information is available at www.syngenta.com. 

With a major commitment in China, Syngenta currently employs more than 400 employees in three joint ventures, two wholly-owned foreign enterprises and three representative offices.

Company news release
N3396b