FMC Builds World-Class Platform for Biological Crop Protection with Global Strategic Alliance and Key Acquisition

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Oct 07, 2013, 02:00 ET

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Global Strategic Alliance with Chr. Hansen

Exclusive, global collaboration covering development and commercialization
of biological crop protection products
FMC and Chr. Hansen to provide scouting and screening of new microbes
Chr. Hansen to provide scale up and fermentation manufacturing
FMC to provide formulation, registration and product development expertise,
as well as global market access
Cooperation to develop new products, knowledge and biological expertise

Acquisition of Center for Agricultural and Environmental Biosolutions assets

Proprietary discovery and development platform
Rich pipeline of biological products in various stages of development
Extensive intellectual property, including patented technologies
World-renowned team of researchers based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Deep expertise in scouting and screening for promising new technologies

FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) announced today that it has built a world-class platform to serve the fast-growing biological crop protection market through two strategic transactions. FMC has signed an exclusive and global collaboration agreement with Chr. Hansen, a leading biosciences company specializing in cultures, enzymes and fermentation, to develop and commercialize biological crop protection products. FMC also announced the acquisition of the Center for Agricultural and Environmental Biosolutions (CAEB), a division of North Carolina-based RTI International, specializing in sustainable agriculture research. Financial terms were not disclosed.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111101/NE97440LOGO )

With these two transactions, FMC Agricultural Solutions has created an end-to-end biological platform that complements its traditional strengths in synthetic crop protection chemistries. "FMC is poised to become a leader in biological crop protection," said Mark A. Douglas, president, FMC Agricultural Solutions. "We now have a world-class library of microorganisms, deep expertise in biological discovery, and an exclusive strategic alliance with one of the world's foremost authorities on microbial research and fermentation. Combine these new elements with FMC's global market access and historic strengths in formulation, product development, and market innovation and we have a powerful platform from which we can launch a range of new products."

As farmers around the world fight resistance and work to maximize yields, FMC has successfully broadened its portfolio of crop protection products to deliver more value. Long known for proprietary insecticides and herbicides, FMC recently added several established and patented fungicides to its business. Now the company is building on its success in synthetic chemistries to offer a range of biological insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.

Global Strategic Alliance with Chr. Hansen

The new strategic alliance creates a powerful foundation for FMC and Chr. Hansen to compete in the multi-billion dollar biological crop protection market. Under the arrangement, Chr. Hansen will provide scouting, screening, scale up and fermentation manufacturing expertise while FMC will provide scouting, screening, formulation capabilities, product development and registration experience, and global market access. The two companies will develop new products, knowledge and biological expertise within the collaboration's framework.

Commenting on the agreement, Douglas said, "No one knows microbiology and fermentation better than the team at Chr. Hansen. Their expertise in scouting, screening and scale-up production complements the work we do so well in formulation and bringing products to market. We look forward to working with Chr. Hansen to create a market-leading portfolio of biological solutions."

FMC and Chr. Hansen have been working together on select projects for several years and this alliance represents the culmination of what has already been a productive relationship. "FMC has proved to be an excellent collaborator. We share a strong commitment to customer-driven innovation," said Christian Barker, executive vice president, Health and Nutrition, Chr. Hansen. "We are pleased to be entering a new business area with FMC at our side and feel confident that our expertise with microorganisms can help to develop a strong portfolio of biological crop protection solutions."

The existing collaboration between the two companies will yield the Brazilian launch of the Nemix® C product for use in sugarcane in late 2013, targeting the biggest sugarcane market in the world of 9 million hectares. Nemix® C increases growth and yield through enhanced root development and protection and is a purely biological product. Going forward, the new alliance will expand into additional geographies and crop types with existing and new products.

Acquisition of Center for Agricultural and Environmental Biosolutions (CAEB) Assets

FMC's acquisition of CAEB gives the company a proprietary discovery and development platform through the addition of a state-of-the art research facility, a team of accomplished scientists, a pipeline of biological products in various stages of development and a world-class library of microbes with deep intellectual property assets, including patent-pending technologies.

"We are impressed with CAEB's extensive intellectual property, as well as its proven capabilities of scouting and screening for new technologies with the potential to bring value to growers around the world," said Marc Hullebroeck, vice president and business director for FMC Agricultural Solutions in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Hullebroeck also oversees FMC Agricultural Solutions' research and development organization.

CAEB's facility, located in Research Triangle Park, N.C., will become a biological center of excellence within FMC's global research and development network. The work conducted at the facility will feed directly into FMC's strategic alliance with Chr. Hansen.

"Over the years, FMC has distinguished itself as a company uniquely in tune with the needs of growers. Everyone at CAEB is passionate about developing greener solutions that protect crops, promote growth, and increase farm yields. We are pleased to join FMC and work with our new colleagues to develop and market new solutions that are both effective and sustainable," said Dr. Daniel van der Lelie, founder of the Center for Agricultural and Environmental Biosolutions.

About Chr. Hansen

Chr. Hansen is a global bioscience company that develops natural ingredient solutions for the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. All solutions are based on strong research and development competencies and significant technology investments. The company enjoys market leadership in all its divisions: Cultures & Enzymes, Health & Nutrition and Natural Colors Division. There are more than 2,450 dedicated employees in over 30 countries.

About Center for Agricultural and Environmental Biosolutions

Center for Agricultural and Environmental Biosolutions is a world leading research effort with a comprehensive discovery platform focused on endophytic microbes and their plant-host interactions. CAEB is generating data for third and fourth generation agricultural biosolutions, consisting of complementary strains, chemistries, and/or bio-based products and is predicated on systems understanding on the microbial and plant level to allow for optimization of specific functions and combinations of products. CAEB's platform attributes and diverse asset collection are core to any modern agricultural R&D platform that seeks to optimize its pathway to commercialization. Many of the bacterial and fungal isolates in CAEB's collection have demonstrated conclusive properties for application in agriculture.

About FMC

FMC Corporation is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial, environmental, and consumer markets globally for more than a century with innovative solutions, applications and quality products. In 2012, FMC had annual sales of approximately $3.7 billion. The company employs approximately 6,000 people throughout the world, and operates its businesses in four segments: FMC Agricultural Solutions, FMC Health and Nutrition, FMC Minerals, and FMC Peroxygens. For more information, visit www.FMC.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Act of 1995: Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning specific factors described in FMC Corporation's 2012 Form 10-K and other SEC filings. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. FMC Corporation does not intend to update this information and disclaims any legal obligation to the contrary. Historical information is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

SOURCE FMC Corporation