WASHINGTON, D.C. - DuPont, a Fortune 500 company bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace since 1802 through innovative products, materials and services, has been approved for membership in the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC).  

The announcement was made by the USUBC Executive Committee on behalf of the entire USUBC membership of over 200 companies and organizations who have business operations, investments or other development programs in Ukraine. DuPont joins five other Fortune 500 type companies, Amway, Ecolab, Intel, Philip Morris and Visa who have recently become members of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC).  

WORLD POPULATION EXPECTED TO APPROACH NINE BILLION BY 2050

With global population expected to approach nine billion by 2050, DuPont is working to develop solutions to today’s toughest challenges. DuPont 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.

DUPONT PIONEER

DuPont Pioneer, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, is the world's leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries. Innovative and customer-focused, Pioneer seeks to increase farmer productivity and profitability, and to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere. Increasing populations, changing economies, and limited cultivatable land are significant factors driving Pioneer to use the broad application of plant science to improve the value generated from each field.

DuPont Pioneer is committed to improving food security and advancing education worldwide, while also enhancing the quality of life in the communities where its customers and employees live and work. Pioneer® brand products are built on industry-leading elite germplasm and are backed by agronomic support and services.

DuPont Pioneer was founded in 1926 by Henry A. Wallace. It has more than 75 production locations, 125 research locations and more than 13,500 employees worldwide. DuPont Pioneer produces advanced seed products including hybrid corn, soybeans, oilseed rape, sunflower, sorghum, alfalfa, wheat, inoculants, hybrid rice, pearl millet, mustard and cotton.

COMMITMENT TO UKRAINE

DuPont and its DuPont Pioneer seed business have been operating in Ukraine for over 20 years. DuPont Pioneer is a Ukraine market leader in sales of hybrid corn seed, sunflower seeds and hybrid oilseed rape. Pioneer also sells silo inoculants in Ukraine.

In August 2010, Pioneer officially announced the opening of its fully functional multi-crop research center in the village of Lyubartsi, Kyiv Oblast. In September 2011, Pioneer announced a $10 million (US) investment in a logistics facility at Stasi, Dykanka region, Poltava Oblast, Ukraine. The construction is complete and the facility is operational supporting the increased customer demand for Pioneer® brand maize, sunflower and oilseed rape hybrids in Ukraine.

In November 2012, DuPont Pioneer announced a more than $40 million USD investment in the construction of a seed production facility in Stasi, Poltava Oblast, Ukraine. This is one of the many investments the company is making to support local product development and help Ukrainian farmers increase their productivity.

Jeff Rowe, DuPont Pioneer Director - Europe, headquartered in Manno, Switzerland, was recently elected to the USUBC Executive Committee. 

"USUBC is very pleased to have the opportunity to work closely with DuPont," said Morgan Williams, President of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC). "The company has made a major commitment to Ukraine and is especially helping Ukrainian agriculture and agribusiness to rapidly expand and prosper."  

For additional information visit: www.dupont.com and www.pioneer.com

USUBC MEMBERSHIP

USUBC membership has grown rapidly during the past six years. Membership now stands at over 200. In January 2005 membership was eight; two years later it had grown to 22; in January 2009 it reached 100; in January of 2011 topped 150 and in December 2012 it passed the 200 mark.  A complete list of USUBC members can be found at: http://www.usubc.org/members.php. For the list of the USUBC board of directors go to: http://www.usubc.org/site/u-s-ukraine-business-council-board-of-directors.