At Boston Chief Executives’ Club, DuPont CEO Says Global Challenges Are Business Opportunities

BOSTON, June 13, 2007 - DuPont Chairman and CEO C harles O. Holliday, Jr. told The Chief Executives’ Club of Boston here today that the world’s growing population is the common denominator driving mega trends related to energy, security and food production.

“Most population growth will occur in areas that currently are not major markets for what we as industry make and sell,” Holliday said. “This will put an ever increasing demand on the world’s resources. Business leaders should view this as an opportunity to provide innovative solutions that not only meet human needs and reduce environmental impact, but also drive business growth and competitive advantage.”

“Our collective actions will ultimately determine the livability of our planet in the 21st Century,” he said.

According to the United Nations, the world’s population has grown from about 2.5 billion in the mid-20th Century to more than 6.5 billion today, with projections rising to an estimated 9 billion people by 2050. “They all have to eat, and we hope that the diets of people around the world will improve, making their lives longer and healthier,” Holliday said. “This provides a clear mandate for companies like DuPont that are focused on scientific innovation. In fact, we have been shaping our major programs to address these trends and are deploying resources consistent with both the need and the opportunity.”

Holliday highlighted three areas:

Energy: “While unforeseen breakthroughs in technology and twists and turns in geopolitics may affect energy supply and demand, we would have a hard time envisioning circumstances where the drive for renewable energy and materials would abate,” Holliday said. “It’s clear that we need to make advances in the way we source and use energy, and minimize the amount of carbon we put into the atmosphere.”

DuPont is anticipating increased demand for renewable energy sources and materials by developing products and technologies for photovoltaics and biofuels such as biobutanol and cellulosic ethanol. Holliday added: “As one of the world’s largest seed companies, DuPont is well aware that the most powerful tool at our disposal for renewable fuels is genetics – the germplasm of the seeds we sell. The best thing we can do is to continue to increase the productivity of crops, thereby making the production of ethanol today and butanol in the future more efficient and taking pressure off the food value chain.”

DuPont also is developing bio-based materials such as DuPont™ Sorona® polymers for apparel and carpet. Energy efficiency is being provided through materials that conserve energy such as DuPont™ Tyvek® ThermaWrap™ and next-generation high performance insulation.

Safety and Security: “The 21st Century world is a dangerous place due to both natural and man-made hazards. But there is a lot we can do to help make the lives of people around the world safer and more secure,” Holliday said.

DuPont’s long experience and expertise in safety have resulted in a broad offering of products and services that address the basic need for people to feel safe and secure at home, at work and at play. These include high-performance materials such as DuPont™ Kevlar® and Nomex® apparel; Tyvek® contamination and control suits; and building innovations such as shatter-resistant SentryGlas® Plus .

Food: To accommodate the rising demand for dietary protein by the world’s population between now and 2025, global food production will need to double on virtually the same amount of land currently in production, Holliday said.

DuPont, one of the largest producers of corn seed in the world, is using biotechnology to develop insect-resistant hybrids to improve productivity, quality and yield and to accelerate breeding step changes and rate of genetic gain. “We have a rich pipeline of new products under development to enhance yield and nutrition through bio science,” Holliday said, referencing low-dosage insecticide, fungal resistant corn, healthier soybean oil and drought-tolerant crops.

“We know we can respond to these three mega trends and meet the challenges they present,” Holliday said. “We need to maintain our investment and leadership in science as a route to sustainable solutions . We need to work in partnership with those who may have different perspectives on solutions and how best to deliver them. By working together, we have the best chance to feed growing populations, tap renewable resources for energy and materials, and enable safer and more secure lives for people everywhere.”

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

06/13/07

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