Press Release

Crystal Crop Protection acquires Corteva Agriscience Chlorpyrifos Brands in India

New Delhi, Dec 2019 Crystal Crop Protection Limited (“Crystal” or “the Company”), one of the leading research and development based crop protection companies in India, has acquired Dursban, Nurelle-D  Predator brands in India from Corteva Agriscience (NYSE: CTVA) a global pure-play agriculture company.

Commenting on the acquisition, Ankur Aggarwal, Managing Director of Crystal, "This acquisition is a part of Crystal’s strategy to add value to its business and ensure growth for all its stakeholders. We believe such strategic acquisitions would improve our competitiveness, further help in diversifying our product portfolio and thus strengthen our market presence across India.”

This is Crystal’s fifth acquisition in last 2 years, the first was the acquisition of the manufacturing facility at Nagpur from Cytec India, the second was Indian Grain Sorghum, Pearl Millet and Fodder Sorghum seeds business from Syngenta India, third was four brands namely Furadan, Splendour, Affinity Force and Metcil from FMC India Limited and fourth was three brands from Syngenta, namely Tilt, Proclaim and Blue Copper

Agro-Chemicals products company, Crystal has made number of acquisitions in the past few years. Crystal signed an agreement with Germany's BASF SE in 2016 to acquire the brand Bavistin for use in India. Crystal Crop Protection Limited also acquired Hyderabad based company Rohini-Seeds Private Limited and Rohini Bioseeds and Agritech Private Limited in 2011, which has brought its presence in the seeds market.

About Crystal Crop Protection:

Crystal Crop Protection Limited (“Crystal or the Company”) is a R&D based crop protection manufacturing and marketing company. The company’s business is segregated into Agrochemicals, Seeds and Agri-Equipment businesses. The company has integrated operations, from undertaking R&D of new molecules to manufacturing and delivering products to farmers through its extensive network of distribution partners. The Company’s products cater to the entire lifecycle of crops, from sowing to harvesting assisting Indian farmers to maximize productivity and profitability.

About Corteva Agriscience:

Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is a publicly traded, global pure-play agriculture company that provides farmers around the world with the most complete portfolio in the industry – including a balanced and diverse mix of seed, crop protection and digital solutions focused on maximizing productivity to enhance yield and profitability. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and an industry-leading product and technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the Company is committed to working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. Corteva became an independent public company on June 1, 2019, and was previously the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.

Press Release

Crystal Crop Protection Limited acquired Syngenta’s three selected insecticide and fungicide brands in India

New Delhi, Nov 20^th, 2018: Crystal Crop Protection Limited (“Crystal” or “the Company”), one of the research and development based crop protection manufacturing and marketing companies in India, has acquired Proclaim, Tilt & Blue Copper brands in India from Syngenta.

Syngenta India’s Managing Director, Rafael Del Rio stated that “The Competition Commission of India (CCI) directed the divestment of these brands to Crystal while approving the global acquisition of Syngenta by ChemChina. We are confident that Crystal will continue to steward the products for the benefit of the farming communities.”

Syngenta is an established name among Indian farmers for its high quality crop protection products known for improving yield and quality output. This acquisition from Syngenta will enhance Crystal’s penetration in the Pulses, Cotton, Rice, Wheat, Vegetable and Grapes markets in India.

Commenting on the acquisition, Ankur Aggarwal, Managing Director of the Company, "This acquisition is in line with our vision of ensuring growth for all stakeholders. We believe selective acquisitions, partnerships, or alliances would improve our competitiveness, further help in diversifying our product portfolio and thus strengthen our market presence across India.”  

This is the Company’s fourth acquisition in the calendar year 2018, the first was acquisition of the manufacturing facility at MIDC, from Cytec India Specialty Chemicals & Materials Private Limited, the second was Indian gram sorghum, pearl millet and fodder sorghum seeds business from Syngenta India Limited, Devgen N.V., Belgium and Devgen Seeds and Crop Technology Private Limited, and third was four brands namely Furadan, Splendour, Affinity Force and Metcil from FMC India Limited.

Agro-Chemicals products company, Crystal has made number of acquisitions in the past few years. Crystal signed an agreement with Germany's BASF SE in 2016 to acquire the brand Bavistin for use in India.  Crystal Crop Protection Limited also acquired Hyderabad based company Rohini-Seeds Private Limited and Rohini Bioseeds and Agritech Private Limited in 2011, which has brought its presence in the seeds market.

These acquisitions are part of Crystal’s strategy to add value to its business and ensure growth for all its stakeholder.

About Crystal Crop Protection Limited

Crystal Crop Protection Limited is a R&D based crop protection manufacturing and marketing company. The Company manufactures crop protection products which include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and plant growth regulators and bio-stimulants. The Company provides crop protection solutions to the Indian farmer to assist them to maximize productivity and profitability. It has integrated operations, from undertaking R&D of new molecules to manufacturing and delivering products to farmers across India through extensive distribution network. As of December 31, 2017, the company had a pan-India distribution network of approximately 7,000 independent distribution partners.

The Company has established its in-house R&D center, the Key Research & Development Center (KRDC), in Sonepat, Haryana, which has been recognized by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI.

The Company recently enhanced its production capacity by acquiring Plant of Cytec India at Nagpur (2017) with leasehold rights on land area of 40,500 sq.m.. For increased commitment in the seeds business, the Company acquired Indian grain sorghum, fodder sorghum and pearl millet seeds business from Syngenta India Limited, Devgen Seeds and Crop Technology Private Limited and Devgen N.V., Belgium. Recently, Company strengthened its Insecticide & Herbicide portfolio by acquiring Furadan, Splendour, Metcil and Affinity Force brands from FMC India Limited.

About Syngenta AG:

Syngenta AG, the ultimate holding company of Syngenta India Limited is one of the world's leading agribusiness companies with more than 26,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life.

Press Release – FMC approved

CRYSTAL BAGS ONE MORE ACQUISITION,

FOUR FMC BRANDS NOW MOVE TO CRYSTAL

New Delhi, August , 2018: Crystal Crop Protection Limited (“Crystal” or “the Company”), one of the R&D based crop protection manufacturing and marketing companies in India, has strengthened its Insecticide & Herbicide portfolio by acquiring Furadan®, Splendour®, Metcil and Affinity Force® brands from FMC Corporation.

Commenting on the acquisition, Ankur Aggarwal, Managing Director of the Company, said, "We believe in acting as an enabler to Indian farmers to improve their farming income and this acquisition is a step in that direction.  Staying true to our philosophy of inspiring growth for all our stakeholders, we are open to more such inorganic growth opportunities in the future too.”

This is the company’s third acquisition in 2018, the first was chemicals plant from Cytec India Specialty Chemicals & Materials Private Limited, and the second was Indian sorghum, pearl millet and fodder seeds business from Syngenta India Limited.

Agro-Chemicals products company, Crystal has made a number of acquisitions in the past few years. Crystal signed an agreement with Germany's BASF SE in 2016 to acquire the brand Bavistin.  Crystal Crop Protection Limited also acquired Hyderabad based company Rohini-Seeds Private Limited and Rohini Bioseeds and Agritech Private Limited in 2011, which has brought its presence in the seeds market.

Further, Crystal Crop Protection Limited has signed a Letter of Intent with KeyGene N.V., Netherland to explore a strategic collaboration for developing products through sharing of technology and novel breeding techniques that benefit the farmers to increase their farm profitability.

These acquisitions and collaborations are part of Crystal’s strategy to add value to its business and grow its market share.

About Crystal Crop Protection Ltd.

Crystal Crop Protection Ltd is a R&D based crop protection manufacturing and marketing company. The company manufactures crop protection products which include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and plant growth regulators and bio-stimulants. The company provides crop protection solutions to the Indian farmer to assist them to maximize productivity and profitability. It has integrated operations, from undertaking R&D of new molecules to manufacturing and delivering products to farmers across India through extensive distribution network.

The Company recently enhanced its production capacity by acquiring Plant of Cytec India at Nagpur (2017) with leasehold rights on land area of 40,500 sq.m.. For increased commitment in the seeds business, the company acquired Indian grain sorghum, fodder sorghum and pearl millet seeds business from Syngenta India Limited, Devgen Seeds and Crop Technology Private Limited and Devgen N.V., Belgium.

Press Release

Crystal Crop Protection Limited acquires Syngenta’s Indian sorghum, pearl millet and fodder seeds business

New Delhi, March, 2018: Crystal Crop Protection Limited (“Crystal” or “the Company”), one of the research and development based crop protection manufacturing and marketing companies in India, has strengthened its seeds portfolio by acquiring the undertaking pertaining exclusively to certain seeds from Syngenta India Limited (“Syngenta”). With an aim to further generate value for stakeholders, the Company has acquired Indian grain sorghum, fodder sorghum(SSG) and pearl millet seeds business (including their germplasms, plant variety protection applications and registrations and market authorizations) from Syngenta. The acquired seed brands viz. Mahalaxmi (Sorghum), Atheeva (Pearl Millet) and SX-17 (SSG) seed brands are market leaders in respective categories. This acquisition comes with a world class R&D, designed to bring the best seeds on a continuous basis through its breeding program.

Syngenta is an established name among Indian farmers for its highest quality seeds known for improving yield and quality output. Indigenous research, well equipped seed testing labs and expert breeder have made Syngenta seeds a preferred choice for Indian farmers. This acquisition from Syngenta will enhance Crystal’s penetration in the Indian grain sorghum, pearl millet and fodder seeds business in India.

Commenting on the acquisition, Ankur Aggarwal, Managing Director of the Company, "We believe in taking technology, innovation and manufacturing to the next level. With acquisition of seeds from Syngenta, we will strengthen our seed portfolio.”

Recently, in fiscal 2018, Crystal acquired a speciality chemicals plant from Cytec India Specialty Chemicals & Materials Pvt Limited, an Indian unit of Belgian chemicals firm Solvay SA.

Agro-Chemicals company, Crystal has made a number of acquisitions in past few years. Crystal signed an agreement with Germany's BASF SE in 2016 to acquire fungicide brand - Bavistin. Crystal Crop Protection Limited also acquired Hyderabad based company Rohini-Seeds Private Limited and Rohini Bioseeds and Agritech Private Limited in 2011 which has brought its presence in the agricultural inputs market.

These acquisitions are part of Crystal’s strategy to add value to its business and ensure growth for all its stakeholder.

About Crystal Crop Protection Limited:

Crystal Crop Protection Limited (“Crystal or the Company”) is a R&D based crop protection manufacturing and marketing company. The Company’s products cater to the entire lifecycle of crops, from sowing to harvesting.

The Company is guided by, Mr. Nand Kishore Aggarwal, honorable Chairman. With more than 23 years of dedication and hard work, the Company has achieved major milestones.

To provide innovative, comprehensive, long term solutions to farmers to increase crop productivity through sustainable practices and procedures, the Company is working towards investing in R&D capabilities to further diversify product portfolio, augmenting manufacturing capabilities, building brands & introducing new products. Apart from crop protection business, upcoming focus lies in seeds, agri-equipment and exports business.

The Company on a consolidated basis has five operational manufacturing units – two in Haryana, two in Jammu & Kashmir, and one in Anand, Gujarat and one being refurbished in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Additionally, the Company has two under-construction Technical manufacturing facilities at GIDC, Dahej, Gujarat and MIDC, Nagpur, Maharashtra

Company’s country wide presence spans a wide network of approximately 7,000 independent distributors. Company, through its sales & marketing team reaches out to famers across the country through various channels. The Company has established brands in various categories.

In addition, the Company has deployed “Crystal Doctors”, to directly interact with farmers and dealers to spread awareness about its products.  They work closely with farmers in their farmland and advise on appropriate method for application and the benefits of Company’s products at the farmers’ doorstep.

The Company has its own DSIR-recognized in-house R&D center focusing on synthesis of new chemistries, process development for Technical and bio-efficacy testing. Through its research and development, [Strong registration capabilities], innovative product portfolio, and related services, the Company seeks to make provide crop protection solutions to the Indian farmer to assist them to maximize productivity and profitability.

About Syngenta AG:

Syngenta AG, the ultimate holding company of Syngenta India Limited is one of the world's leading agribusiness companies with more than 26,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life.

Crystal Crop Protection Limited acquires Solvay’s India manufacturing facility

New Delhi, February 12, 2018: Crystal Crop Protection Limited (the “Company”) has completed the acquisition of speciality chemical manufacturing facility of Cytec India, part of € 11.4 bn global specialty chemical major Solvay S. A.

This modern manufacturing facility is located on around 10 acres in MIDC Butibori, Nagpur and can be utilised to integrate the existing R&D and manufacturing facilities of the Company.

Commenting on the acquisition, Ankur Aggarwal, Managing Director of the Company, "We believe in taking technology, innovation and manufacturing to the next level. This asset acquisition will enhance the manufacturing capabilities of the Company and add a new dimension to its business. It is part of our strategy to promote ‘Make in India’ and bring modern and affordable agrochemicals to farmers"

Singhi Advisors, Mumbai based global M&A advisors, acted as exclusive advisors to Solvay Group in the transaction.

About Crystal Crop Protection Limited:

The Company along with its agrochemical business has diversified into seeds, exports and agri-equipment businesses.

The Company was set up by, Mr. Nand Kishore Aggarwal, honorable Chairman, and Executive Directors of the Board of Directors of the Company. With more than 23 years of dedication and hard work, Crystal has achieved major milestones and has grown to be amongst one of the leading agrochemical companies in India, with insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, plant growth regulators, and micronutrients as part of its product portfolio.

Apart from acquisition at Nagpur, Crystal has five manufacturing units – two in Haryana, two in Jammu and one in Anand, Gujarat. Its greenfield project is under construction at Dahej, Gujarat.

The Company has its own DSIR-recognised R&D centre focusing on molecule synthesis, formulation research, process development and bio-efficacy testing. Through its research and development, product range, innovative technology, and related services, the Company seeks to make agro-chemical technologies available at affordable prices to the Indian farmer.