December 4, 2014
Sumitomo Chemical Acquires U.S. Asana® Insecticide Business from DuPont
Sumitomo Chemical has inked an agreement with DuPont to acquire DuPont’s Asana®
Insecticide business in the United State, effective December 2, 2014.
Asana® is a pesticide registered for use on a wide range of crops in the United States,
totaling more than 50 crops such as corn, soybeans, vegetables and tree fruits. It
contains an active ingredient esfenvalerate, a synthetic pyrethroid, developed by
Sumitomo Chemical. Owing to its unique cottonseed oil formulation, Asana®
demonstrates a long-lasting effect. Sumitomo Chemical maintains the registration and
succeeds to the sale of Asana®, which is distributed through Valent U.S.A. Corp., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical, beginning this month.
With the acquisition of the Asana® business, Sumitomo Chemical enhances its global
product portfolio and works to contribute further to increasing crop productivity.
*A press release was issued under the joint names of the three companies--Sumitomo
Chemical, Valent U.S.A. Corp. and DuPont--on December 3, 2014 (local time) in the
United States.
http://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/
Corporate Communications Office（PR）
27-1, Shinkawa 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-8260, Japan
TEL: +81-3-5543-5102 FAX: +81-3-5543-5901
News Release
Contacts:
Sumitomo Chemical
Corporate Communications Office
Japan
+81 3-5543-5102
sumika-kouhou@ya.sumitomo-chem.co.jp
DuPont
Gregg M. Schmidt
United States
+1 302-999-3330 office
+1 302-598-6286 cell
gregg.m.schmidt@dupont.com
Sumitomo Chemical Acquires U.S. DuPont™ Asana® Insecticide Business Assets from DuPont Crop
Protection
TOKYO, Japan and WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 3, 2014 – Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd.
and DuPont Crop Protection announced today that Sumitomo Chemical has acquired the DuPont™ Asana®
Insecticide business in the United States. Asana® will be distributed through Valent U.S.A. Corporation, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical in the United States. The transaction is subject to approvals
from applicable regulatory authorities. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Asana® Insecticide, active ingredient esfenvalerate, is a proven control tool for a wide range of
insect pests in major field crops, vegetables, tree fruits and nuts. Asana® has more than 50 crops on the product
label. Its unique cottonseed oil-based formulation provides superior wash-off resistance and UV Light protection
to enhance residual control of insect pests.
The active ingredient esfenvalerate, a resolved pyrethroid, was invented by Sumitomo Chemical,
and it is currently commercialized in more than 60 countries. In the United States, Asana® was developed and
commercialized by DuPont, providing consistent control in U.S. crop production for many years.
Director & Managing Executive Officer, Health & Crop Sciences Sector of Sumitomo Chemical
Ray Nishimoto said, “We believe this agreement is very beneficial to Sumitomo Chemical and DuPont, and
Sumitomo Chemical very much appreciates the long-term partnership with DuPont, and expects further
development of mutual collaborations.”
“This agreement is another step in the execution of our DuPont Crop Protection business growth
strategy,” said Rik Miller, president, DuPont Crop Protection. “The agreement further enhances our focus on
innovative new offerings that drive profitable growth both today and over the long term.”
CEO of Valent U.S.A. Corporation and Valent BioSciences Corporation Andy Lee, said “With
the addition of Asana® Insecticide into our growing portfolio, we at Valent look forward to bringing growers an
even more broad range of proven solutions to meet their insect management needs.”
Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of Japan’s leading
chemical companies, offering a diverse range of products globally in the fields of basic chemicals, petrochemicals,
IT-related chemicals and materials, health and crop science products, and pharmaceuticals. For additional
information, visit the company’s website at www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/.
Valent U.S.A. Corporation, headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., develops and markets
products in the United States and Canada that protect agricultural crops, enhance crop yields, improve food
quality, beautify the environment and safeguard public health. Valent products include a well-known line of
quality herbicide, insecticide, fungicide and plant growth regulator products for agricultural, seed protection and
professional use. Valent is a leader in marketing and sales of both traditional chemical products and also
biorational products developed by its affiliate, Valent BioSciences. For more information about Valent U.S.A.
Corporation or its full product line, please call 800-6-VALENT (682-5368) or visit www.valent.com.
DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global
marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by
collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global
challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and
protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive
innovation, please visit www.dupont.com.
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12/3/14
The DuPont Oval Logo is a registered trademark of DuPont or its affiliates. The Asana® trademark will be transferred to
Sumitomo Chemical as part of Sumitomo Chemical’s acquisition of the Asana® Insecticide business from DuPont.