Founded in 2000 with the merger of Novartis and AstraZeneca, Syngenta proudly marks its 25th anniversary as a leading agribusiness. This milestone caps a quarter century of innovation built on a legacy extending back more than 250 years to the founding of the Swiss chemical company Geigy in 1758.
Since its establishment, Syngenta has been committed to supporting U.S. farmers and the agricultural industry through proven innovation, expertise and sustainable solutions to meet agriculture’s evolving challenges. Today, Syngenta Crop Protection — which has delivered more high-value innovations for U.S. agriculture in recent years than any other manufacturer in the industry — includes a robust portfolio of approximately 37 seed treatments, 54 herbicides, 44 fungicides and 21 insecticides, with several high-value products and innovations currently under development.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Vern Hawkins, president of Syngenta Crop Protection North America, affirmed that people and relationships have made the greatest impact. “We are most proud of the value and trust Syngenta consistently delivers to customers, value-chain partners and the great ag industry we serve. Through our people, science and passion, Syngenta maintains a strong R&D engine and innovation pipeline — driving the development of key technologies for today’s fields and adapting solutions for tomorrow’s needs.”
With an investment of more than $1.4 billion in research and development globally each year, Syngenta continues to accelerate innovation to enable farmers to grow more using less land, water and inputs, while preserving soil health and biodiversity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“For 25 years we’ve turned innovation into real-world tools that help growers make faster decisions, manage crops with confidence and get the most out of every season,” said Jeff Cecil, head of marketing for crop protection at Syngenta. “Every product development — from CruiserMaxx APX seed treatment, Storen herbicide to TYMIRIUM and PLINAZOLIN technologies currently under EPA registration review — is practical and designed with intention. As agriculture evolves, we’re committed to delivering smarter, more connected crop management solutions that are equipped to meet the challenges ahead.
To commemorate the 25th anniversary, employees gathered at the Syngenta North America Crop Protection headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina. Honoring the past and celebrating what the future holds, the intimate event featured a time capsule ceremony, leadership remarks and community networking.