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Reaffirms Guidance for First Quarter, Full Year
NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2008 – At an
investors’ conference here today, DuPont Executive Vice President Ellen J. Kullman reviewed the
company’s actions that nearly doubled pre-tax operating margins and return on invested capital
since 2003. Kullman also reaffirmed DuPont’s outlook for the first quarter and full year 2008.
“Our outlook for 2008 is positive and each of our
platforms has distinct growth opportunities that are aligned with global growth trends,” Kullman
said. “We are focusing the power of our science and resources on these targets. We are well
positioned to capture value in high growth opportunities like agriculture, safety, and emerging
markets.”
Kullman outlined several of the company’s key
initiatives in 2008. The company’s Agriculture & Nutrition segment is on track to deliver double-
digit earnings growth by increasing North America corn trait penetration to 90 percent from 75
percent in 2007; and significantly increasing its offering of triple stacked corn products. The
segment will launch its new, low-dose insecticide, Rynaxypyr®, among other new products.
Growth opportunities in emerging markets, new
product launches and productivity gains will be vigorously pursued by the company’s Coatings &
Color Technologies, Electronic & Communication Technologies and Performance Materials
segments. The company is also pursing new opportunities in photovoltaics, metal replacement
and sustainable and renewable polymers.
The company’s Safety & Protection segment had
many product and market successes in 2007 and redefined its market spaces around four value
propositions: Protecting Lives, Sustainable Buildings, Protecting Critical Processes and Protecting
the Environment. By defining markets aligned with these core value propositions, the segment
has doubled its addressable market and is developing plans to aggressively pursue the expanded
opportunity.
“With improved profitability and higher returns on
capital, we are now ready to launch the next phase of our growth acceleration plan. We are taking
new steps to achieve an even higher rate of growth over the next three years,” Kullman said.
DuPont will present the details of its plan to
investors on March 14 in New York.
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.
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2/20/08
For bio/photo of Ellen Kullman: http://www2.dupon
t.com/Our_Company/en_US/executives/kullman.html