DuPont, BSES LP Partner on Sugarcane

Posted by Matt Hopkins|17 November 2009

BISBAINE – Australia-based BSES Limited and DuPont struck a research, development and commercialization alliance to improve productivity and use of sugarcane varieties.

The agreement brings together DuPont’s extensive plant biotechnology expertise with BSES’s knowledge of sugarcane breeding, production and processing, according to DuPont. The alliance will focus on the development and delivery of technologies to improve current planting technology and agronomic practices to enable productivity growth.

DuPont, through its Crop Protection business, has strong relationships with sugarcane growers and sugarmill customers. As the leader in weed control for sugarcane, DuPont is committed to helping improve customers’ productivity and profitability, according to the company.

“Comprehensive research has found that by accessing biotechnology first, the Australian sugarcane industry can retain its competitive position and build a lead role in the commercialization of biotechnology in the global sugarcane industry,” BSES Chair Paul Wright said in a press release.

Sugarcane is one of the most efficient biofuel feedstocks used commercially today. DuPont invests more than $1 billion in research and development annually to address emerging global trends, one of which is reducing dependence on fossil fuels.