U.S.-based DuPont Co. (DD) and Australia's BSES Ltd. Thursday announced a research, development and commercialization alliance to boost productivity and use of sugar cane varieties using genetic modification and other biotechnologies.
The alliance, which brings together DuPont's plant biotechnology expertise with BSES' knowledge of cane breeding, cropping and milling, will focus on the development and delivery of technologies to improve planting technology and agronomic practices to boost productivity and reduce production costs, the companies said in a joint statement.
They didn't elaborate on any financial details.
The grower- and miller-owned BSES, formerly the Bureau of Sugar Experimental Stations, operates a network of 17 research farms and offices along Australia's northeastern coast, and effectively operates as the industry's research and development unit. DuPont operates an agrichemical and biotechnology business in addition to diverse other businesses.
The vice president of DuPont's agricultural biotechnology unit, John Bedbrook, said the company sees "significant opportunity to leverage our genetics and biotech trait capabilities in sugar cane," through the alliance with BSES.
The alliance will define the Australian industry's international position well into the future, BSES Chairman Paul Wright said.
By developing biotechnology now, the Australian industry can retain its competitive position and play a leading global role in commercializing cane-related biotechnology, he said.
"Biotechnology is the next major science-based advance for the sugar cane industry," he said.
Australia is a major supplier of traded raw sugar to Asia and the Middle East but a relatively small producer when compared with Brazil and India.
-By Ray Brindal, Dow Jones Newswires; 612-6208-0902; ray.brindal@dowjones.com