Dow AgroSciences: History, Innovation, and Transition to Corteva
Dow AgroSciences LLC was a prominent leader in the agricultural supplies industry, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dow Chemical Company. Based in Zionsville, Indiana, the company focused on enhancing global food production through a combination of chemical expertise and advanced biotechnology.
The company's operations spanned a wide array of agricultural solutions, ranging from traditional crop protection chemicals to cutting-edge seed technologies. By integrating science and agriculture, Dow AgroSciences aimed to provide farmers with the tools necessary to protect crops and increase yields.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1989 by Eli Lilly and Company and Dow Chemical Company.
- Headquarters: Zionsville, Indiana, United States.
- Core Products: Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, fumigants, and seed technologies.
- Major Milestone: Developed the world's first plant-cell-produced vaccine against Newcastle disease virus.
- Successor: Spun off as part of Corteva Inc. on June 3, 2019.
Product Portfolio and Innovations
Dow AgroSciences specialized in both agricultural chemicals—specifically pesticides (substances used for destroying insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants)—and biotechnology solutions. Their diverse product line included several well-known brand names such as Sentricon, Vikane, Mycogen®, SmartStax®, and Enlist™.
Beyond crop protection, the company managed various seed brands, including Pfister Seed®, PhytoGen®, Prairie Brand Seed®, Alforex Seeds®, Dairyland Seed®, and Brodbeck Seed®., as well as the Profume line. They also expanded into the food oil market by producing Omega-9 canola and sunflower oils.
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Biotechnological Breakthroughs
A significant achievement occurred on January 31, 2006, when the company received regulatory approval from the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics. This approval was for the world's first plant-cell-produced vaccine designed to combat the Newcastle disease virus, marking a milestone in the use of plant biotechnology for veterinary medicine.
Corporate Evolution and the Shift to Corteva
The corporate structure of Dow AgroSciences underwent significant changes during the late 2010s. In 2017, the Dow Chemical Company merged into DowDuPont. Following this, in April 2019, the parent company, Dow Inc., was separated into a public company through a corporate spin-off.
The agricultural business unit, Dow AgroSciences, remained with DowDuPont until June 3, 2019, when it was officially spun off to become part of the new independent company, Corteva Inc.
Corporate Challenges
Despite its successes, the company faced legal challenges regarding intellectual property. In October 2011, the U.S. Justice Department announced that Kexue Huang, a Chinese national and biotech specialist at Cargill, had pleaded guilty to stealing proprietary information from both Cargill and Dow AgroSciences. The investigation revealed that information had been passed to China for at least three years, between 2007 and 2010.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agricultural Supplies |
| Founding Year | 1989 |
| Founders | Eli Lilly and Company & Dow Chemical Company |
| Key Products | Insecticides, Herbicides, Fungicides, Fumigants, Seeds |
| Successor Entity | Corteva Inc. |
| Headquarters | Zionsville, Indiana, USA |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Dow AgroSciences?
Dow AgroSciences was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dow Chemical Company that specialized in agricultural chemicals, seed technologies, and biotechnology solutions.
When was Dow AgroSciences founded and by whom?
The company was founded in 1989 through a partnership between Eli Lilly and Company and the Dow Chemical Company.
What happened to Dow AgroSciences in 2019?
On June 3, 2019, the Dow AgroSciences business unit was spun off from DowDuPont to become part of the new company, Corteva Inc.
What was the significance of the Newcastle disease virus vaccine?
In 2006, Dow AgroSciences received USDA approval for the world's first vaccine against the Newcastle disease virus produced using plant cells.
What types of products did Dow AgroSciences offer?
The company produced a wide range of agricultural supplies, including insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, fumigants, seed technologies, and Omega-9 canola and sunflower oils.