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Syngenta AG

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FY2012 Annual Report · Syngenta AG
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Annual Review 2012
Bringing plant  
potential to life

Switzerland  
Investor Relations  
T +41 61 323 5883  
F +41 61 323 5880  
E global.investor_relations@syngenta.com

Media Relations  
T +41 61 323 2323  
F +41 61 323 2424  
E media.relations@syngenta.com

Share Register  
T +41 58 399 6133  
F +41 58 499 6193  
E syngenta.aktienregister@sag.ch

Shareholder Services  
T +41 61 323 9492 
F +41 61 323 5461  
E shareholder.services@syngenta.com

Ordering of publications  
T +41 58 399 6133  
E syngenta.aktienregister@sag.ch

Syngenta switchboard  
T +41 61 323 1111  
F +41 61 323 1212  
E global.webmaster@syngenta.com 

USA  
Investor Relations  
T +1 202 737 6520  
T +1 202 737 6521  
E global.investor_relations@syngenta.com 

Media Relations  
T +1 202 628 2372  
F +1 202 347 8758  
E media.relations_us@syngenta.com

Contacts for ADS holders 
T +1 888 253 7068 – from within the USA 
T +1 201 680 6825 – from outside the USA

Syngenta AG 
Corporate Affairs  
Schwarzwaldallee 215 
P.O. Box 
CH-4002 Basel 
Switzerland

www.syngenta.com

For the business year 2012, Syngenta 
has published three reports: Annual 
Review (incorporating the Corporate 
Responsibility Report), Financial Report 
and Corporate Governance Report 
and Compensation Report.

All documents were originally published 
in English. The Annual Review 2012 and 
the Corporate Governance Report and 
Compensation Report 2012 are also 
available in German. 

These publications are also available on 
the Internet: www.syngenta.com

Syngenta AG, Basel, Switzerland.  
All rights reserved. 

Editorial completion: February 2013

Copywriting: Lang Communications Ltd, 
London, UK

Design and production: Radley Yeldar, 
London, UK 

Printing: Neidhart + Schön AG, 
Zurich, Switzerland

Printed on Hello Silk, made with wood fiber  
from managed forests and manufactured at  
a mill that has achieved the ISO14001 and 
EMAS environmental management standards.

Image on page 7 copyright IUCN

® Registered trademarks of a Syngenta  
Group Company  
™ Trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company 

© 2013 Syngenta AG, Basel, Switzerland. 
All rights reserved.

The SYNGENTA Wordmark and BRINGING 
PLANT POTENTIAL TO LIFE are registered 
trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. 

Cautionary statement regarding forward-
looking statements: This document contains 
forward-looking statements, which can be 
identified by terminology such as “expect”, 
“would”, “will”, “potential”, “plans”, “prospects”, 
“estimated”, “aiming”, “on track” and similar 
expressions. Such statements may be subject 
to risks and uncertainties that could cause  
the actual results to differ materially from  
these statements. 

We refer you to Syngenta’s publicly available 
filings with the US Securities and Exchange 
Commission for information about these and 
other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta 
assumes no obligation to update forward-
looking statements to reflect actual results, 
changed assumptions or other factors. 

This document does not constitute, or form 
part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue,  
or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase 
or subscribe for any ordinary shares in 
Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor 
shall it form the basis of, or be relied on 
in connection with, any contract therefor.

Article number 017001.040

 
 
 
 
 
 
Bringing plant potential to life

Syngenta is one of the world’s leading 
companies with more than 27,000 employees 
in some 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: 
Bringing plant potential to life. Through our  
world-class science, we aim to deliver integrated 
solutions that will transform the way crops are 
grown around the globe, and to extend our 
contribution beyond yield.

Contents

Overview
About Syngenta 
Business highlights 2012 
Group performance 
Chairman’s letter 
Chief Executive Officer’s letter 

Challenges and our contribution
Global challenges
Addressing global challenges
More productive and sustainable
Better use of resources
The importance of soil fertility
The case for biodiversity
Ensuring agriculture is safe
Making agriculture more viable
Syngenta Foundation for 
Sustainable Agriculture

01
02
03
04
06

08
10
10
12
13
13
14
15

15

Our strategy
Integrate 
Innovate 
Outperform

Performance review
Regional overview
Corn 
Soybean 
Cereals 
Rice 
Vegetables 
Sugar cane 
Diverse field crops 
Specialty crops 
Lawn and Garden 

17
18
19

20
22
24
25
27
28
30
31
32
34

The way we work
Research and Development 
People 
Manufacturing and procurement 
Environment 
Responsible agriculture  
and product safe use
Economic value shared 
Business integrity 

Biographies
Board of Directors 
Executive Committee 

Performance data
Product line performance 
Financial information 
Corporate Responsibility 
performance summary 
Shareholder information 

36
38
39
41

42
44
44

46
48

50
52

60
66

Syngenta share price performance January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2012
(Indexed to zero at closing price on December 31, 2007)

CHF200.40

CHF290.70

CHF273.50

CHF275.00

%
30

20

10

0

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

Dec 31, 2012
CHF366.60

Over the last five 
years, Syngenta has 
outperformed the 
Swiss Market Index 
by 47 percent and 
the Eurotop 300 index 
by 52 percent.

-60

Jun

Mar

Dec
2008
Syngenta   Eurotop 300   SMI

Sep

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2009

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2010

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2011

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2012

Syngenta ADS price performance January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2012
(Indexed to zero at closing price on December 31, 2007)

$39.14

$56.27

$58.78

$58.94

Dec 31, 2012
$80.80

The Syngenta ADS has 
outperformed the major 
US stock market indices 
by around 60 percent 
since 2007.

%
60

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

-60

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2009

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2009

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2010

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2011

Mar

Jun

Sep Dec
2012

Syngenta ADS   S&P 500   Dow Jones

Total shareholder return1 January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2012

Syngenta
ADS

Syngenta
share

FTSE EU
Chemicals

S&P US
Chemicals

NASDAQ

S&P 500

Eurotop 300

SMI

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

%

Over the last 10 years, 
total shareholder return 
is 455 percent from 
the Syngenta share 
and 757 percent from 
the ADS.

Annual Review 2012 67

Syngenta

Syngenta
Annual Review 2012

1 Share price appreciation plus reinvested dividends, indexed to closing price on December 31, 2002 

Overview

About Syngenta

Crop focus 

Global reach 

We are using our deep knowledge of agriculture 
to develop fully integrated offers on a global crop 
basis, combining our innovation in genetic and 
chemical solutions.  

Our teams around the world use their local 
knowledge and understanding – together with 
the breadth of expertise from across the business –
to tailor solutions that create value for growers. 

Crop sales1 $m

Corn
Soybean
Cereals
Rice
Vegetables
Sugar cane
Diverse field crops
Specialty crops
Lawn and Garden

 Read more about “Crops” on pages 22–35

2012
3,612
2,341
1,599
590
1,670
259
1,299
2,051
757

Regional sales 2 $m

Europe, Africa, Middle East
North America
Latin America
Asia Pacific

 Read more about our “Regional performance” on pages 20–21

1  Crop sales are based on Syngenta estimates
2  Excluding Lawn and Garden

2012
3,974
3,931
3,713
1,827

01

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
 
 
Overview

Business highlights 2012

Quadruple stack corn approval 
in Argentina 

Contributing to 
African agriculture 

In March, the Secretary of Agriculture in Argentina approved 
Syngenta’s MIR604 trait and quadruple corn stack AGRISURE 
VIPTERA® 4 for cultivation. The combination of corn rootworm 
control with the AGRISURE VIPTERA® trait against 
Lepidopteran pests sets new standards for insect control.

In conjunction with the G8 Summit in May, we announced 
a commitment to invest more than $ 500 million to build 
a $ 1 billion business in Africa over the next 10 years. 
This commitment reflects the company’s belief that Africa 
has the resources not only to feed its growing population, 
but also to become a major world food exporter. 

Investing in new facilities

We announced in July a $ 50 million investment to build a new 
processing plant for corn and sunflower seeds in Argentina, 
confirming our long-term commitment to Argentine agriculture. 
We also announced our intention to invest up to $ 85 million in 
the construction of a hybrid seed and crop protection 
production facility in Russia. 

Global commercial agreements 
with Novozymes 

Syngenta and Novozymes entered into two exclusive global 
agreements to commercialize Novozymes’ Taegro® and 
JumpStart® technologies. Taegro®, a fermented biological 
fungicide based on a naturally occurring bacterium, offers 
broad spectrum disease control at low application rates. 
JumpStart® is a seed-applied biological that increases 
phosphate solubility in the soil, to be marketed in combination 
with Syngenta’s seed care portfolio. 

Acquiring new technologies 

Next generation 
fungicide approval 

In September we agreed to acquire US biotechnology company 
Pasteuria Bioscience Inc. We will be introducing their 
products to complement our existing chemical nematicide 
range and to support integrated solutions across crops. 
In November we launched a public takeover bid for Devgen, 
a global leader in hybrid rice and RNAi technology. 
By January 18, 2013, 98.32 percent of total shares had been 
tendered, giving Syngenta full control of the company.

In November, we received European Union (EU) approval for 
isopyrazam, the first active ingredient from our strong pipeline 
of next-generation fungicides. It is active against a wide 
spectrum of damaging fungal diseases, and we intend to 
register isopyrazam products in major EU markets for use 
on cereals as well as oilseed rape, vegetables and pome fruits.

Stepping up integrated offers 
in North America

Syngenta’s international 
photography award 

The increasing incidence of weed and insect resistance in the 
USA led to strong demand for our resistance management 
programs. Strong sales growth in the region also reflected 
the success of our water optimization offers, which include 
the new trait AGRISURE ARTESIAN® and solutions combining 
crop protection and irrigation in ways that increase yield and 
convenience for the grower.

The Syngenta Photography Award is a new international 
competition that aims to stimulate dialogue around key global 
challenges. Open to professional and amateur photographers, 
the Award’s inaugural theme explores the relationship and 
tensions between rural and urban environments.

02

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Group performance

Group sales1
$ 14.2bn +10% (CER) 

2010
2011
2012

Cash flow return on investment2 
15%   

11.64
13.27
14.20

2010
2011
2012

Crop Protection sales1,
$ 10.3bn +9% (CER)  

3

Seeds sales1
$ 3.2bn +16% (CER)  

2010
2011
2012

8.45
9.68
10.32

2010
2011
2012

Earnings per share4
$ 22.30 +15% 

2010
2011
2012

Dividend per share5
CHF 9.50 +19%   

16.44
19.36
22.30

2010
2011
2012

CO2e emissions intensity
0.59 CO2e kg/$EBIT   

Illness and injury rate6
0.39    

2010
2011
2012

0.66
0.61
0.59

2010
2011
2012

Water usage intensity
13.2 Liters/$EBIT   

Seed supply farms 
in the FLA program7   17,625  

2010
2011
2012

14.6
13.4
13.2

2010
2011
2012

 Read more “Financial information” on pages 52–59

 Read more about “Corporate Responsibility Performance” on pages 60–64

1  Growth at constant exchange rates (CER)
2  For a definition of cash flow return on investment, see page 58
3  Including sales of Crop Protection products to Seeds 
4  Fully diluted excluding restructuring and impairment
5  2012 dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting on April 23, 2013
6  Recordable injury and illness rate (IIR) per 200,000 hours according to US OSHA definition. 
7  Syngenta is a participating company in the Fair Labor Association www.fairlabor.org

13%
14%
15%

2.48
2.85
3.24

7.00
8.00
9.50

0.41
0.44
0.39

11,886
16,880
17,625

03

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Overview

Chairman’s letter

The challenges of the future are significant but Syngenta  
is uniquely placed to help growers around the world prosper  
and, in so doing, continue to prosper itself.

1.

2.

It is natural, since I am leaving the Board at this 
year’s annual meeting, to look back over the 
profound changes that have taken place over my 
period of office, since 2000 as a non-executive 
Director and then, since 2005, as Chairman of the 
Board. At its founding in 2000, Syngenta was an 
Anglo-Swiss provider of agricultural chemicals, 
operating overwhelmingly in the OECD countries.
Growth prospects appeared, to most outside 
observers including the company’s former parents, 
to be rather limited. Now, as 2013 begins, Syngenta 
is that rare bird, a genuinely global business, and 
is becoming the leading provider of an unrivalled 
spectrum of technology solutions to growers right 
across the world. Expectations for the next decade 
are high, since the company’s set of available 
opportunities is unusually rich.

What has been at the root of this transformation? 
We have had good fortune, but we have to a large 
extent made our own luck. Lucky in that the 
adoption of agricultural technology in developing 
markets – Latin America most notably, but also 
much of Asia and the former Soviet Union – has 
been unexpectedly rapid and comprehensive. 
We have made our own luck by seizing the 
opportunity this offered, powered by an unusual 
corporate culture, collaborative, demanding and 

increasingly centered on growers and their needs. 
The way Syngenta people do business across the 
world is a central aspect of the company’s success 
to date.

In the 1990s, food supplies for those fortunate 
enough to have access to markets were abundant 
and seemed likely to remain so. Since then, 
a continuously rising population, accelerating 
urbanization and pressure on natural resources 
have led to a dwindling of this apparent abundance. 
Moreover, with more competition for available 
supplies of food, prices of agricultural commodities 
are now much higher. Growers are accordingly 
keen to invest in yield enhancement for their crops. 

Unfortunately, urban consumers in rich nations 
drew some erroneous conclusions from the period 
of abundance. Many came to believe that 
agricultural technologies such as pesticides and 
commercial seeds were both undesirable and 
unnecessary. This led them not only to oppose the 
spread of technology, but also to argue in favor of 
extensive forms of agriculture, which – in a period 
of rising population allied to rising prosperity – calls 
for a great increase in the area of cultivated land. 
At the margin, this increase can only be supplied 
through deforestation and a reduction in natural 
habitats, the very solution which all pretend to deplore.

1. 
Visiting the rice field of 
Pham Minh Quyen (right) 
in Vietnam to see the 
Syngenta solutions in action. 

2.  
Learning about the 
germination and vigor of 
corn seeds at a Syngenta 
seeds processing plant 
in the Philippines. 

04

SyngentaAnnual Review 20123.  
With Michael Mack, 
presenting the Syngenta 
Purpose Award to Erika 
Balzarelli and Kuldeep Kaul 
for their team’s development 
of GROMORE™ in rice.

3.

At the heart of this urban way of thinking lies the 
curious belief – in part encouraged by the food 
industry – that agriculture is, or should be, a 
“natural” activity. Good farmers, of course, work 
with natural cycles and have deep respect for 
biodiversity. But in fact agriculture, together with 
medicine, is in many ways an anti-natural activity, 
and has been so since the first Chaldean farmer 
cleared the ground to plant her spelt. Natural forces 
work to stifle crops as surely as, in the absence of 
medicines, they shorten human life. Only by using 
technology to limit the encroachments of nature 
can we maximize the areas not needed for 
cultivation and leave them in a natural state.

The role that Syngenta can play in helping the world 
address these vital issues far exceeds what we 
could have imagined a decade ago. For all those 
who work in the company, this is at once an 
ambition, and inspiration, and a responsibility.

I am retiring together with three Board colleagues – 
Peggy Bruzelius, Peter Thompson and 
Felix Weber – who, like me, have been involved 
in Syngenta from, or almost from, its beginnings 
as an independent company. Gratitude is owed to 
all three of them for their many and varied services 

to the company, in particular to Mrs. Bruzelius for 
her tireless work as chair of the Audit Committee 
over more than 12 years, and to Dr. Weber for so 
judiciously chairing the Compensation Committee, 
a job that has become, on all boards, more difficult 
over time.

My successor, Michel Demaré, inherits a company 
in excellent financial and strategic health with a 
profound purpose, a strong culture and more than 
27,000 passionate and dedicated employees. The 
challenges of the future are significant but Syngenta 
is uniquely placed to help growers around the world 
prosper and, in so doing, continue to prosper itself. 

Martin Taylor
Chairman

05

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Overview

Chief Executive Officer’s letter

Agriculture is moving up the global growth agenda, and that  
is driving both our confidence and our ambition for the future.

1.

2.

1. 
Speaking at the G8 
Symposium “Beyond 
L’Aquila: Advancing food 
security” at the G8 Summit, 
Washington DC, USA

2.  
With Babu Suresh, 
TEGRA® Head, India, 
discussing rice with farmers 
during a crop update event 
in Chennai, India

06

One of the prevailing global themes of 2012 was 
the need to stimulate economic growth. Agriculture 
played a very limited role in that debate, as in most of 
the developed world its share of GDP is small – less 
than 2 percent for both the USA and the EU27 
countries. However, for anyone concerned with 
emerging market livelihoods today, or with global food 
security tomorrow, the sustainable development 
of agriculture is of paramount importance.
Twice in the last five years, spiraling crop prices have 
reminded us of this fact. In 2008, commodity prices 
rose as the world woke up to the consequences of 
insufficient production and investment in farming in 
a context of long-term demand growth. In 2012, the 
cause was more abrupt, with significant production 
shortfalls due to weather. Higher crop prices again 
affected many emerging market households – for 
whom spending on food can absorb more than half 
their income – as well as livestock producers who were 
forced into culling by rising feed costs. For farmers, 
generally seen as benefiting when commodities 
rise, the volatility of the last five years adds a layer 
of complexity to how they run their business.
Syngenta’s integrated strategy, launched in 2011, aims 
to help growers around the world to manage volatility 
and complexity while increasing crop yield and quality. 
We do so through the breadth of our technology and 
our proximity to farms of all sizes. Early success from 
our investment in eight strategic crops has enabled us 
to raise the targeted sales for these crops to $ 25 billion 
in 2020. This represents a significantly higher 

long-term growth rate than we could have expected to 
achieve with our former strategy. It demonstrates the 
added value we can realize through bringing together 
our portfolio in ways that are adapted to the needs 
of individual growers worldwide.
2012 set the tone for future growth with sales up 
10 percent at constant exchange rates. I am pleased 
to report that we achieved a further increase in 
profitability despite significant currency and raw 
material impacts. Earnings per share, excluding 
restructuring and impairment, rose by 15 percent 
enabling us to propose a 19 percent increase in the 
dividend. I should like to thank all our employees for 
their contribution towards achieving these results 
and for their energy and enthusiasm in driving our 
strategy forward. 
Examples of the distinctive offers driving our 
performance include solutions to optimize water 
use. Several of the offers that have been under 
development for some years reached the market 
in 2012 – just when drought became a headline 
topic. Our AGRISURE ARTESIAN® corn trait 
demonstrated a yield benefit of 17 percent even 
in the driest conditions. Crop protection also can 
strengthen a plant’s resistance to heat and drought 
stress, and we have launched integrated systems 
for the precision application of both chemicals and 
water. Our complete corn offer also enables US 
growers to combat glyphosate-resistant weeds and 
to broaden insect management programs beyond 
traits. Outside the USA, we have achieved new trait 
registrations in Latin America and are expanding 
sales of tropical germplasm in Asia Pacific.

SyngentaAnnual Review 20123.  
At the 2012 IUCN World Conservation 
Congress, Jeju, South Korea.  
From left to right: Mohammed Valli Moosa 
(former President of IUCN); Michael Mack 
(CEO Syngenta); Tae-Pyong Jang (former 
Minister for Food Agriculture, Forestry & 
Fisheries of the Republic of Korea);  

Solange Marquez Espinoza (Journalist and 
Political Analyst); Julia Marton-Lefevre 
(Director General of IUCN); 
M.S. Swaminathan (Member of Parliament 
Rajya Sabha India); Camilla Toulmin 
(Director, International Institute for 
Environment and Development).

3.

For many smallholder farmers, part of the value we 
offer lies in the education and agronomic services we 
provide in the field. Our GROMORE™ protocols in rice 
for example are a simple, phased approach to crop 
protection that can deliver yield advantages of up to 
30 percent. They form part of TEGRA® – our integrated 
rice offer described in more detail on page 28 – for 
which we are now expanding the scope to serve 
both non-mechanized and mechanized farmers.
Over the last five years, Syngenta has generated 
sales increases at a compound average growth 
rate of 9 percent, with a minimal contribution from 
acquisitions. In 2012, however, we made a number 
of significant acquisitions that enhance our 
technology platforms and represent significant 
future sales potential. These included Devgen, 
which brings an exceptional portfolio of hybrid rice 
seeds and a promising pipeline, complementing 
our leading crop protection portfolio and expanding 
the scope of our integrated offers. The acquisition 
of Pasteuria Biosciences, Inc. will reinforce our 
proven ability to incorporate biologicals into our 
crop protection offer, as will two agreements signed 
with Novozymes. We are proud to welcome 
employees from the acquired companies to 
Syngenta, where their expertise will be important 
in the development of our combined businesses.
In May, I was privileged to join leaders from the G8 
and several African countries at the Camp David 
summit, to participate in discussions on the potential 
for transforming Africa through agricultural 

development. Such transformations have occurred 
in the past but they depend on international 
investment and public-private partnership. Syngenta 
has played, and will continue to play, a role in the 
development of agriculture in virtually every emerging 
country. We have pledged to do the same in Africa, 
investing $ 500 million over 10 years with the aim 
of building a $ 1 billion business. By sharing 
knowledge, tools, technologies and services, 
we want to enable smallholder farmers to move 
from subsistence to commercial agriculture, while 
generating income that will enrich whole societies. 
Agriculture is moving up the global growth agenda, 
and that is driving both our confidence and our 
ambition for the future.
The future will continue to be defined by the quality 
of our people and our leaders. It is therefore fitting 
to close with a tribute to Sandro Aruffo, Head of 
Research and Development, who died in January 
2013. Sandro was a brilliant and dedicated man 
who played a pivotal role in helping to deliver our 
integrated strategy. We remember his contribution 
with gratitude, and mourn the loss of a valued 
colleague and friend.

Michael Mack 
Chief Executive Officer

07

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Challenges and our contribution

The 21st century’s greatest challenge:  
how to feed more people sustainably

Population pressures

80 million more 
mouths to feed 
every year

By 2050, the world’s population will have 
increased by almost a third. We will have 
2 billion more mouths to feed. 

10,000 years

We need to produce more  
food in the next 50 years  
than in the past 10,000.1

Land pressures

We lose a soccer 
field of farmland 
every second 

Soil erosion and urbanization are reducing available 
farmland. Every second, we lose an area about 
the size of a football field – while adding two more 
people to the world’s population. We have to 
produce more food from less land. 

5 people 

In 1950, a hectare could 
feed two people. By 2030  
it will have to feed five.2

08

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012The 21st century’s greatest challenge:  

how to feed more people sustainably

3 years 

Stocks of major crops have 
now fallen for the third year 
in a row, and demand 
continued to grow by 
1.4 percent each year.3

Resource pressures

One person  
consumes 
2,000 liters of 
water a day

Farming uses 70 percent of the world’s fresh 
water withdrawal: growing food for one person 
takes about 2,000 liters of water a day. We 
have to produce more food with less water.

Consumer pressures

‘Enough’ is a 
moving target 

While almost a billion people today are 
undernourished, another billion are overweight. 
As affluence increases, consumers demand 
greater variety, quality and quantity of food. 
In growth economies such as China, they 
are switching from crop-based to meat-
based diets that are significantly more  
resource-hungry.

230 million

Between 2000 and 2050, 
global meat demand 
will double – an increase 
of 230 million metric tons.4

Labor pressures

Farmers are a 
shrinking population

The lure of the city continues to deplete rural populations. 
More than half of humanity now lives in towns and cities, 
and the rate of urbanization is set to grow by almost 
2 percent a year between 2010 and 2015. In many rural 
areas, labor scarcity is now driving-up farm costs.

1  Guardian report on UN Food Conference, Iceland, 2007
2  FAOSTAT
3  WASDE report, December 11, 2012
4  USDA
5  FAOSTAT

3.4 billion

Today’s rural population 
is 3.4 billion. It is not  
expected to increase.5

09

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Challenges and our contribution

Our contribution

A company that successfully addresses some of the pressures of an increasing 
population will be well placed to grow and create value for investors and society.

Addressing global 
challenges

More productive 
and sustainable

The world’s farmers need to increase yield per 
hectare sustainably, without using more water 
or other natural resources, and using chemical 
inputs as efficiently as possible.

Great strides have already been made. Between 
1987 and 2007, corn productivity increased by 
41 percent in the USA. These increases in 
productivity occurred while reducing environmental 
stress. For example, soil runoff is a primary cause 
of water pollution. Since 1987, soil loss in corn 
farming in the USA has declined by 69 percent per 
bushel. Irrigation in corn farming has decreased 
37 percent.1 Similar gains have been seen in other 
major crops. From an environmental point of view, 
higher yield means more environmentally efficient 
use of water, land and other resources – in short, 
a smaller environmental footprint. 

By 2050, we must provide 9 billion people with 
enough to eat: food that is nutritious, affordable 
and accessible. To produce the necessary quality 
and quantity of food, while protecting the natural 
resources on which we depend, we must learn 
to grow more with less. 

The task for growers is complicated by societal 
expectations. Consumers seek greater variety 
and quality. To satisfy these demands, wholesalers 
and retailers set ever more demanding standards 
for food such as improved flavor, longer shelf life 
and better uniformity. And regulators impose 
increasingly stringent requirements for the use 
of chemicals and other technologies to ensure 
the safety of food. 

A company that successfully addresses some of 
the pressures of an increasing population will be 
well placed to grow and create value for investors 
and society. At Syngenta, we believe passionately 
that the challenges can be overcome. And we 
intend to play a leading part – contributing to global 
food security by providing better solutions, enabling 
resource efficiency and increasing growers’ 
productivity and profitability.

1  Keystone Center Sustainability 

Initiative

10

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012The seedling  
start-up  
 “I am so excited about this 
opportunity. It’s really 
helping me to grow my 
business for the long term.”

Mercy Kendi (left) 
Grower 
with Humphrey Kiruaye, 
Syngenta 
Meru, Kenya

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

1  Reuters, November 12, 2012, 

“China’s corn revolution promises 
great leap forward in yields” 

11

Syngenta will continue to enhance yield and 
resource efficiency by advancing technology – and 
particularly by developing solutions that integrate 
biological and chemical approaches. 

Closing the yield gap
However, the yield gaps between continents – 
and even countries in the same continent – 
remain wide. There is great potential to increase 
rice productivity in developing African and Asian 
countries, but growers need access to the best 
seeds, crop protection and training to make the 
needed leap in productivity. 

Though corn yields in many Asian countries are 
far below that of the USA, some farms in China’s 
northeastern grain belt used new hybrid seeds 
in 2012 and matched US Midwest yields. They 
achieved nearly twice the Chinese average.1 

Providing knowledge and support
One important key to closing the yield gap is 
inclusive business models for smallholder farmers. 
Food security will depend on the success of the 
world’s 450 million farms of less than two hectares. 
In Africa and Asia, more than 80 percent of farmers 
are smallholders. Today, they produce 25 percent 
of global output and feed some 2 billion people. 
They have the potential to double their output 
by 2050, but cannot do this through better 
products alone. 

We are working to give them access to the 
agronomy knowledge, finance and insurance they 
need – and better access to market. For example, 
in Central America our FRIJOLAN® and 
FRIJOLNICA® programs provide farmers with credit 
facilities as well as training. In Mexico, our LUPPA® 
program has trained half a million corn smallholders 
in agronomy and management practices. This 
helped to increase their productivity on average 
by 50 percent, cut water use by up to 20 percent 
and reduced soil erosion. 

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Challenges and our contribution
Our contribution continued

Better use of resources

Land and water are two of the largest limiting 
factors in food production. Population growth, 
urbanization, deforestation, soil erosion and 
demand for water are increasing the pressure 
on the agricultural ecosystem at an alarming rate. 

Over the last 60 years, modern agricultural 
technology has helped growers to double food 
production on the same hectare of land. Crop 
losses to insects, weeds and diseases in the field or 
post-harvest would be 40 percent 1 higher without 
crop protection. Such losses are effectively a waste 
of the resources needed to grow the crop. 

Growers are always looking for ways to work more 
productively and sustainably with the resources 
available. That means more food with less land, 
less water, less labor, less energy and less carbon 
released into the atmosphere.

At Syngenta, we are developing better seeds, 
chemistry and integrated solutions that help farmers 
grow more food while ensuring that natural 
resources can be managed sustainably. 

More modern chemistry
Modern pesticides are far more efficient than the 
pesticides that were used just a few decades ago. 
As chemistry and application technology have 
developed, we have been able to protect crops 

from attacks by insects and fungal diseases, and 
competition from weeds that destroy or reduce the 
harvests, while using much lower doses with higher 
precision application. 

For example, copper oxide has been used for over 
a hundred years to fight fungus infections in crops. 
It is still the most commonly used fungicide in 
organic production, with a typical application rate 
of 1.5–6 kilograms per hectare a year.2 Copper is 
not degraded in soil, creating concern over long-
term effects on soil biodiversity. Modern fungicides, 
on the other hand, which offer the same or better 
protection, are typically applied in the range of 
grams per hectare a year and are tested to ensure 
degradability in soils.

Technology leads to land preservation
Converting more land into agricultural production 
threatens wilderness and precious habitats. 
We believe it is better to use existing farmland 
more intensively, combining practices and 
products that will increase yield.

A study from Stanford University found that the 
adoption of modern agricultural practices, starting 
in the 1960s, has saved a portion of land larger than 
Russia – that’s about the size of three Amazon rain 
forests – and cut emissions by the equivalent of 
almost 600 gigatons of carbon dioxide, roughly 
one-third of the total emitted since the start of the 
Industrial Revolution.3 

1  Oerke E.-C., Dehne H.-W.; Crop 
Protection, Vol. 23, p. 275-285; 
2004

2  Forschungsinstitut für biologischen 
Landbau, Betriebsmittelliste 2012 
3  J. A. Burney et al. Proc. Natl Acad. 
Sci.; Vol. 107, Issue 26, p. 12052-
12057; June 2010

Protecting 
Colombia’s natural 
resources   
“The constant support 
and resources Ecoaguas 
provides, enable us to make 
a real difference in the 
communities we work with.”

Lola Maria Arias (left) 
Director of Asofrayle 
(Asociacion de Usuarios 
del Rio Frayle) 
with Alexander Joya, 
Ecoaguas Project Manager 
Municipality of Florida, Valle 
del Cauca, Colombia

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

12

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Making the most of water
Agriculture accounts for some 70 percent1 of global 
fresh water withdrawal, but up to 40 percent of this 
water is wasted by inefficient practices such as field 
flooding. To get the highest possible yield out of 
every drop, we are developing innovative water-
efficient technologies, drought-tolerant seeds such 
as our revolutionary ARTESIAN™ corn hybrid, crop 
protection products, and optimized irrigation systems 
(see page 23). 

In Tanzania, we have developed environmentally 
sustainable models for rice and corn smallholders 
that lift yield by 80–120 percent with no increase 
in water use. And in Bangladesh, a simple water 
monitoring system, PaniPipe, has cut rice farmers’ 
water use by 30 percent while increasing yield. 
Developed by Syngenta with the International Rice 
Research Institute, it is raising their return on 
investment by a third and taking many farms from 
net losses to profits. 

The importance 
of soil fertility

Fertile soil is the foundation of a sustainable 
agricultural system. But poor farming practices 
expose soil to erosion by wind and rain, rendering 
millions of hectares infertile each year. Already, 
some 40 percent of the world’s farmland is 
seriously degraded, and an area large enough 
to feed Europe is too depleted to produce food.2 

Much of this soil is lost as a result of traditional 
tillage or plowing for weed control. By breaking up 
and turning the soil, tillage leaves it more vulnerable 
to erosion, and soil is more easily washed off the 
fields by heavy rain. We need to help farmers 
increase soil fertility and improve the productivity 
on their land in sustainable ways. That means 
crop rotations, restoring degraded land, planting 
vegetation around fields to prevent erosion, and 
techniques to avoid unnecessary tilling.2

Training to preserve soil
Practices that conserve soil – such as the 
appropriate use of herbicides to reduce tillage – 
are essential: nature takes 500 years to replace 
25 millimeters of lost soil.3 Our work to promote 
conservation tillage is always adapted to local 
needs. For example, a program in Colombia that 
trains around 1,400 potato farmers each year, has 
increased productivity by 25–30 percent while 
reducing soil loss by 67 percent.

Syngenta is developing and training growers in best 
management practices for land and water use that 
minimize soil erosion and sustain crop productivity. 
By protecting the valuable topsoil, farmers can 
benefit from fertile soils that continue to be productive. 

For example, we initiated ProTerra, a practical 
research project in perennial Mediterranean crops. 
By planting cover crops between rows of vines and 
olive trees on pilot farm plots in France, Portugal 
and Spain, soil permeability was improved, and 
erosion was reduced by up to 90 percent.

We have also developed a practical tool that 
simplifies the diagnosis of runoff and erosion risks 
in different scenarios, and provides growers with 
a set of recommended practices to address each 
scenario on their farm. 

The case for biodiversity

Farming depends on biodiversity. Diversity of 
genetic material is the key to adapting crops to 
changing conditions – and climate change is 
accelerating the need for adaptation. Biodiversity 
is also crucial for crop pollination, healthy soils 
and water purification. 

Cultivating more wilderness for human 
consumption threatens biodiversity, so it is crucial 
that farmers become more productive and manage 
their land to protect and improve biodiversity on the 
farm and around the field. 

Increasing pollinator habitats
Farms need the pollination provided by bees and 
other insects – more than one-third of the world’s 
agricultural crops depend on pollination.4 But 
populations of bees and other pollinating insects 
have been falling in many countries. Since 2001, 
OPERATION POLLINATOR™ has been creating 
pollinator habitats by planting field margins with 
local wildflower seed mixes across Europe and 
the USA. Farms are reporting up to 300 times 
more bees as a result. 

We are also integrating biodiversity, water and soil 
conservation solutions into complete sustainability 
packages for farmers. These allow them to increase 
productivity while reducing their environmental 
impacts and meeting the value chain’s increasingly 
stringent sustainability requirements. In 2012, we 
shared these case studies at the International Union 
for the Conservation of Nature Congress in Jeju, 
South Korea, where Syngenta participated as part 
of the World Business Council for Sustainable 
Development delegation.

1  FAO AQUASTAT, 2005, World 

Resource and Earthscan “Water 
for food, water for life” Institute 

2  United Nations Environment 

Programme

3  Pimentel D, Pimentel M; American 

Journal of Clinical Nutrition; 
Vol. 78, Issue 3, p. 660S-663S; 
September 2003

4  FAO: www.fao.org/biodiversity/
components/pollinators/en/

13

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Challenges and our contribution
Our contribution continued

Ensuring agriculture is safe

Our products are designed to be used safely in 
nature. That is why each pesticide undergoes 
rigorous environmental and human safety 
assessments before being eligible for registration. 
It takes 8–10 years to bring a product from discovery 
to market, at a cost of over $ 200 million, of which 
around a third is spent on safety assessments. 

Modern pesticides and technology make farm 
work less arduous as well as more productive: 
hand weeding a one-hectare farm takes  
200 hours of backbreaking labor. 

Stewarding our products
Throughout the development of every chemical 
product, we work to minimize its risk profile. 
And, once it is accepted for registration and sale, 
we work with vendors and growers to help them 
handle, store and use it safely. By training farmers on 
the safe handling and secure storage of pesticides, 
we aim to raise their awareness and encourage them 
to treat all chemicals with proper care.

Pesticides are distributed and sold through chains 
of wholesalers and retailers. The number and size 
of these vendors and the length of the value chain 
varies greatly from country to country. Because of 
this complexity, we reach out to as many growers 
as possible through a diversity of channels and 
partnerships with retailers and local organizations: 
no single organization alone can reach the whole 
farming community in every country – it has to 
be a joint effort. In the past three years, we have 
trained more than 9 million growers in the safe 
use and storage of chemicals. In China, we have 
partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture in a 
scheme that has trained over 200 million farmers 
on safe use of crop protection since 2000. 

Better and safer programs
We are focused on developing sustainable 
technologies to increase productivity safely and 
efficiently. Our solutions raise yield and reduce crop 
losses, but many go further. Programs such as 
TEGRA® and PLENE® also help to improve working 
conditions by reducing backbreaking planting in 
rice, and replacing potentially hazardous manual 
labor in sugar cane with mechanized planting. 

See page 42 for more information on the safe 
use of products and our stewardship activities.

Earning farmers’ 
trust   
“Being able to advise 
customers in the safe use 
of Syngenta products 
and help them to avoid 
counterfeits has not only 
improved my business, 
but also the sharing of 
best practices within the 
farming communities.”

Abdul Momin (right) 
Krishitey Syngenta retailer 
with Mohammad Sabedali 
Pramanik, farmer 
Bogra, Bangladesh

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

Better access to biodiversity
We recognize that we cannot do everything on our 
own and are constantly seeking new ways to foster 
collaboration. For example, we recently partnered 
with the Global Crop Diversity Trust to digitize over 
70 handwritten catalogues and field journals of 
cereal and legume crops held at a research institute 
in St. Petersburg, Russia. Making this information 
searchable and readily available to plant breeders 
around the world helps them develop varieties 
better adapted to climate change and other threats. 

In the same spirit, we have launched a new online 
e-licensing system that gives plant breeders 
worldwide quick and easy access to our patented 
native traits and enabling technologies, so that they 
can be used in more varieties and combinations. 
This will help companies large and small to develop 
the diverse crop varieties farmers need without 
spending time and resources on negotiation and 
contracts. Our new system provides straightforward 
access to our traits under fair, transparent and 
standard terms. 

14

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Making agriculture 
more viable

Syngenta Foundation for 
Sustainable Agriculture

1  World Bank: World Development 

Report 2008

2  World Resources Institute

The Syngenta Foundation (SFSA) improves 
smallholders’ livelihoods in developing countries. 
It helps raise farmers’ yields and improves their 
links to markets. SFSA works with many different 
partners and is a leading source of expertise 
on public-private partnerships (PPPs). In 2012, 
the Foundation launched Ag Partner XChange, 
a platform to facilitate agricultural PPPs. 
Project milestones included the extension of 
the Kilimo Salama weather insurance program, 
which provides affordable weather information 
and pay-as-you-go insurance against drought 
and excess rain, from Kenya to Rwanda. In 2012, 
Kilimo Salama won the Financial Times/IFC 
award for Technology in Sustainable Finance. 
To mark its tenth anniversary, SFSA established 
a research fellowship for an African scholar at 
Basel University, Switzerland. 

The seeds of  
better schooling 
 Disease-free seed can 
double yields of potato, 
a crucial crop for East 
Africa. The Syngenta 
Foundation is working with 
Kenyan and other partners 
to establish reliable and 
affordable supplies. 
Smallholders invest much 
of the resulting extra income 
in school fees.

 More online 
www.syngentafoundation.org

More than 2.5 billion people depend on agriculture 
for their livelihoods. Improving the income of these 
people would be a great leap towards advancing 
the UN Millennium Development Goal of eradicating 
hunger and poverty.1 As a company, we can help 
the farming community to prosper by providing 
tools that make agriculture more productive, 
efficient and profitable. 

For many of the world’s farmers, the financial 
risks are high and the returns are low. More than 
three-quarters of the world’s poor live in rural 
areas,2 and migration to the cities continues. 
Syngenta wants to help restore and maintain 
vibrant rural communities by providing technology 
that enables farmers to progress beyond 
subsistance agriculture. 

Solutions to fit smallholders
As with any business, farmers need skills and 
resources to prosper. We have programs to 
educate them in new technology, help them finance 
higher-yielding products and enable them to reach 
markets more effectively. In Peru, a scheme to 
involve smallholders in the local value chain 
of supermarkets, hotels and restaurants has more 
than doubled participants’ household incomes. 

And in Brazil, over 1,400 farmers have sold 
more than 35 million kilograms of coffee through 
our NUCOFFEE® program, which lets them improve 
quality and productivity without upfront investment 
by bartering their coffee for products and services.

A bright future for Africa
Investment in small-scale farms can pay dramatic 
dividends. Vietnam has become a world force in 
rice exports. In 2012, we announced a commitment 
to invest over $ 500 million in driving a similar 
revolution in Africa. We believe the continent 
has the potential not only to feed its own growing 
population, but also to become a major food 
exporter. Our target over the next 10 years 
is to reach over 5 million African farmers and 
lift productivity by 50 percent or more, while 
preserving the long-term potential of the land.

15

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Our strategy

Delivering our strategy

In 2011, we began combining our crop protection and seeds businesses 
to focus more comprehensively on the challenges farmers face. This is 
transforming the way we work. It has enabled us to present a fully integrated 
offer to growers for each of our strategic crops. It is helping us to innovate 
by developing solutions that draw on our combined biological and chemical 
capability. And bringing better results in the field means that we will 
outperform for all our stakeholders.

Innovate

–  Beyond single  

products

– Crop specific
–  Partnerships 

and adjacencies

Future  
farmer

–  On the farmer's field
–  Market share gains
–  Profitable growth

Outperform

–  Commercial integration
–  Unique offer in the field
–  Globally scaled

Integrate

16

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Integrate 

Purpose

Create integrated offers in the field 
supported by agronomic expertise and 
an understanding of the challenges 
growers face.

Achievements

 –  All 19 territories worldwide fully 

integrated, with commercial teams 
trained and building the momentum 
of a combined portfolio

 –  Resources allocated by crop on the 
basis of fully elaborated strategies 
and detailed pipeline analysis

 –  Support functions integrated into 
Syngenta Business Services

The integration of our commercial teams was 
completed ahead of schedule, with all 19 territories 
integrated by mid-2012. Our broad portfolio 
provides multiple opportunities to combine 
products in order to achieve better crop yield and 
quality. Growers look to our sales people for expert 
guidance, and as part of the integration process we 
have been cross-training crop protection and seeds 
specialists so that they have a fully rounded view 
both of their customers’ challenges and of the 
potential solutions. 

Integration of Research and Development (R&D) 
means approaching the problems to be solved 
from a grower’s point of view – and anticipating 
the challenges he will face in the future. The 
combined chemical and biological expertise of 
our R&D teams is being augmented through new 
partnerships and collaborations, which incorporate 
adjacent technologies and bring new offers to 
market more quickly. 

Two years before we started bringing our 
commercial operations together, we began 
building integrated support functions and platforms 
to underpin the new organization. Syngenta 
Business Services, comprising functions such 
as finance, human resources and information 
systems, has been crucial to a smooth transition. 
It established robust, standardized systems and 
processes, and introduced integrated reporting 
so that management could view the whole 
organization from a single perspective. 

Efficient new systems have enabled significant 
cost savings, with scalable platforms to support 
the rapid growth that the strategy envisages.

19 
territories

All 19 territories worldwide 
fully integrated, with 
commercial teams trained 
and building the momentum  
of a combined portfolio.

17

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Our strategy

18

Innovate 

Purpose

Build on our record of innovation in 
crop protection and seeds to develop 
new solutions that combine biology 
and chemistry, while incorporating 
adjacent technologies and building 
new business models.

Achievements

 –   Sales target for key crops upgraded from 

$ 22 billion to $ 25 billion

 –  Full EU approval for isopyrazam attesting 
to our continuing strength in chemical 
invention; further corn trait approvals 
demonstrating the scope and quality 
of our trait portfolio

 –  Acquisitions of Devgen and Pasteuria 
Bioscience, Inc. to accelerate the 
pace of innovation

 –  Partnerships with Novozymes to extend 

our broad range of biocontrols

In 2012, progress in our integrated offers and the 
further development of our crop pipelines enabled 
us to increase our growth targets. We now expect 
sales of our eight strategic crops to reach 
$ 25 billion by 2020, compared with a previous 
target of over $ 22 billion. 

The invention of strong new products forms the 
bedrock for the development of future integrated 
offers. One example is our new class of SDHI 
fungicides. SEGURIS® has now obtained full EU 
approval, while VIBRANCE® is extending its reach 
in cereals. SOLATENOL® is a fungicide to combat 
triazole-resistant rust. We can combine it with other 
chemistries and with new rust-tolerant native traits 
to extend our leadership in rust control. 
AGRISURE® DURACADE™, our next-generation trait 
for corn rootworm control, received US regulatory 
approvals from the Food and Drug Administration 
(FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 
in 2012. The commercial launch of this trait in 2014 
will further strengthen our leading offer for 
integrated insect resistance management. 

Two acquisitions announced in the second half 
of the year represent valuable additions to our 
technology toolbox. Devgen’s best-in-class rice 
hybrids and broad germplasm diversity will 
complement our world-leading crop protection 
portfolio for rice. Devgen also brings proven 
expertise in RNAi-based insect control, which will 
enable the development of new biological solutions 
across a number of crops. Pasteuria Bioscience, Inc. 
has developed the ability to manufacture at scale 
biological products for nematode control, with the 
first launch due in 2014.

Further advances in biocontrols will come from 
partnerships with Novozymes to commercialize 
two new products. JumpStart® is a seed treatment 
that optimizes fertilizer use by enhancing phosphate 
uptake; and Taegro® is a bacterial fungicide that 
complements our existing chemical portfolio.

$ 1.25 billion

In 2012, we invested over 
$ 1.25 billion in Research 
and Development, further 
progressing our crop pipelines.

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Outperform 

Purpose

Our goal is to create value for our 
shareholders by first creating value for our 
customers, using outperformance in the field 
to demonstrate our competitive advantage.

Achievements

 –  Double digit sales growth for the 
second consecutive year while 
implementing the new strategy

 –  17 percent improvement in EBITDA 

at constant exchange rates

 –  15 percent growth in earnings per share1

 –  CFROI over 12 percent for the third 

consecutive year

 –  Proposed increase in dividend 

of 19 percent

The goal of our integrated strategy is to drive 
top-line growth while maintaining a high level 
of profitability. Commercial integration and the 
expansion of our offer will lead to market share 
gains. In Brazil, for example, where a single sales 
force has been in place for three years, increases 
in our corn seeds share clearly reflect the benefit 
of an integrated approach. 

In 2012, we again increased earnings significantly 
despite currency and raw material headwinds. 
The EBITDA margin increased to 23.2 percent at 
constant exchange rates, helped by higher prices, 
trait royalty income and the realization of 
$ 300 million in cumulative cost savings under the 
program to integrate Crop Protection and Seeds 
operations. Earnings per share increased by 
15 percent 1 to $ 22.30. 

We continue to invest in order to drive top line 
growth, notably through R&D and through further 
expansion of our emerging market footprint. 
We have maintained leading positions in Latin 
America, emerging Asia and Eastern Europe, 
and Africa represents a growing opportunity.

Continuing strong cash flow generation enables 
us to invest for the future and grasp acquisition 
opportunities while still delivering superior returns 
to shareholders. We maintain a progressive 
dividend policy, and for 2013 are proposing 
a further 19 percent increase in the dividend 
to CHF 9.50.

$ 14.2 billion

Sales in 2012 exceeded 
$ 14.2 billion, and we achieved 
double digit growth for the 
second consecutive year 
of our integrated strategy.

1  Excluding restructuring 

and impairment 

19

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Performance review

Regional overview

The strong growth in Syngenta’s sales reflects our flexibility in providing solutions 
across crops and, increasingly, in addressing agronomic challenges through 
our integrated offers. These are proving their worth in developed and emerging 
regions alike, contributing to growth rates of 8 percent and 11 percent respectively.

Europe, Africa, Middle East 

The year saw robust growth in the emerging 
markets of Eastern Europe and in the developed 
markets of France and Northern Europe, more 
than offsetting some weakness in Italy and Iberia. 
Growers adapted quickly following exceptionally 
harsh conditions in the first quarter, with an 
estimated 7 million hectares of cereals lost to 
freezing weather. Although Eastern Europe was 
particularly hard hit, our sales for the full year 
expanded strongly in the Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS) where the modernization 
of farming continues. 

Increasingly, we are offering integrated protocols 
designed to meet specific needs such as early 
planting and cold tolerance. The hard winter 
caused many growers to switch to spring crops, 
leading to expansion in our sales of corn and 
sunflower seeds. 

In Africa, sales growth was driven by South Africa 
and Kenya. The scale of our presence is set to 
expand in a number of other countries as we ramp 
up investment in order to achieve our objective of 
$ 1 billion in sales by 2022.

Latin America

Once again, we achieved strong double-digit sales 
growth in Latin America, despite severe droughts 
in the early part of the year. In 2012, the region 
accounted for over a quarter of Syngenta’s total 
worldwide sales for the first time. Growers’ 
willingness to invest in seeds and crop protection 
was stimulated by record soybean prices and 
buoyant demand for second season corn. 
Investment in sugar cane is booming, mainly for 
ethanol production, and this drove strong growth 
in herbicide sales. 

We are well positioned to benefit from 
these dynamic market conditions. We have a 
market-leading crop protection portfolio. We are 
spearheading the introduction of new technology 
in sugar cane; and we continue to augment our 
strong position in corn with new developments 
such as a quadruple stack seed including the 
AGRISURE VIPTERA® trait, which won regulatory 
approval in Argentina during the year.

“As the first country fully to integrate 
its commercial organization, Brazil has 
had strong growth over the last three 
years with important market share gain 
in seeds. We’ve also built a significant 
business there in sugar cane by 
developing new technology that 
increases sugar mills’ productivity.”
John Atkin  
Chief Operating Officer  
EAME & Latin America

20

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012North America 

Buoyant commodity prices drove corn acreage 
to a record level of over 96 million acres. However, 
over the summer growers in the USA faced the 
worst drought in 50 years. Crop losses were 
widespread, and corn yields were some 25 percent 
below expectations. Even in these challenging 
conditions, growers using our integrated protocols 
were able to achieve above-average results.

The increasing incidence of weed and insect 
resistance has highlighted the need for a  
multi-dimensional approach underpinned 
by good farming practice. This is accelerating 
adoption of Syngenta’s leading resistance 
management solutions and contributed 
to strong double digit sales growth.

Asia Pacific

In Asia’s emerging economies, market trends are 
playing to our strengths as growers adopt more 
modern farming techniques and recognize the 
benefits of high-value seeds and crop protection. 
Demand in the developed markets was more 
subdued; our sales were further affected by 
rationalization of the range to focus on higher-value 
products. In the second half, inadequate rainfall in 
large monsoon-dependent areas of South Asia 
reduced overall demand for crop protection. 

Sales of corn seeds expanded rapidly, driven by the 
strength of our tropical germplasm, and investment 
in seed care increased. In vegetables, the launch 
of our integrated offers has led to increased 
awareness of the contribution that crop protection 
can make to yield and quality. 

“Our integrated offers are providing 
new benefits to customers in some 
of our most sophisticated markets. 
For example, combining 
technologies enables growers 
in the US corn belt to address 
the challenge of depleting water 
reserves and uncertain rainfall.”
Davor Pisk 
Chief Operating Officer  
APAC & North America

Regional sales1 $m

Europe, Africa, Middle East
North America
Latin America
Asia Pacific

2012
3,974
3,931
3,713
1,827

Employees by region 2

Europe, Africa, Middle East 3
North America
Latin America
Asia Pacific

2012
12,417
4,598
5,095
5,152

 Read more about “People” on pages 38-39

1  Excluding Lawn and Garden
2  Permanent full-time equivalent 

(FTE)

3  Including headquarters 

(Switzerland)

21

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Performance review

Crops in focus

We are making rapid progress in the development of a fully integrated offer on 
a global crop basis. By thinking like a grower, we aim to create truly innovative 
and transformative technologies that focus on a crop rather than a specific 
scientific discipline. We look beyond single products to create complete 
solutions that will benefit both people and the land for the long term.

All crop sales in this 
section are based on 
Syngenta estimates.

Corn

Sales in Corn $m

Crop Protection 
Seeds 

2,234
1,378

2012 sales

$ 3,612m

Target sales $m
2015
2020

~4,000
~5,500

Corn pipeline highlights

 Integrated Solutions 

 Crop Protection 

 Seeds 

2012

 Broad spectrum weed management

 Water optimization trait: AGRISURE ARTESIAN®

2015

 Integrated agronomic, water solutions

 ENOGEN® corn offer

2020

 Global molecular stack

  GM abiotic stress offers

 For full pipeline visit www.syngenta.com/ar2012

Corn is grown worldwide and is mainly used for 
animal feed. Increased meat consumption, notably 
in Asia Pacific, is a key driver of demand for corn as 
livestock farming expands. In the United States, the 
crop is also used for the production of bioethanol, 
which reduces air pollution from vehicle fuel. 

Corn is Syngenta’s largest single crop and, with 
our broad and highly competitive offer, we are 
targeting rapid sales growth – from $ 3.6 billion 
in 2012 to $ 5.5 billion in 2020. We expect this 
growth to largely come from North America and 
the emerging markets. Critical to this expansion are: 
the combined portfolio in North America; the ability 
to transfer technology across regions; maximizing 
the reach of our broad germplasm base; and our 
leading crop protection portfolio. 

North America – managing resistance
Technology has brought US farmers higher yield 
and greater convenience, but over reliance on 
single technologies is putting these benefits under 
threat. Our integrated, multidimensional approach 
enables growers to counter this threat. 

Several years ago, we anticipated the development 
of weed resistance and developed novel herbicide 
mixtures that effectively control glyphosate-resistant 
weeds. We are also the leader in insect control, 
deploying a combination of traits, seed care and 
soil and foliar insecticides to manage resistance. 
For the 2013 season, we have launched a refuge-
in-a-bag (RIB) offer with dual modes of action 
against both above- and below-the-ground pests. 
Our capacity for innovation has been demonstrated 
by the success of our distinctive broad-spectrum 
Lepidoptera trait, VIPTERA™, and by the 
development of AGRISURE® DURACADE™, 
a new mode of action against corn rootworm. 

22

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012In Argentina, we received approval for a quadruple 
stack corn incorporating VIPTERA™ and will launch 
the product in 2013. 

Early planting solutions
In Eastern Europe, we have been piloting an 
approach that integrates genetics and chemicals 
to combine early vigor and cold tolerance with 
higher yield and resistance to drought and heat 
stress. The program is accompanied by 
agronomic services and supported by new 
risk mitigation models.

Driving a step change in yield
In the developing countries of Asia Pacific, farm 
sizes are small and yield can be as low as 2 metric 
tons per hectare. We are building on our leadership 
in high-performing tropical germplasm and are 
tailoring our technology and integrated approach 
to help small-scale growers achieve a step change 
in productivity. Trials in Indonesia with progressive 
growers have shown that they can match the 
10 metric tons per hectare achieved by large US 
farmers. The key is our “first 45 days” solution 
combining genetics, seed care and crop 
protection in easy-to-use protocols. 

In 2012, the USA experienced its worst drought in 
50 years, affecting an estimated one-quarter of the 
corn crop. Under these challenging conditions we 
were able to demonstrate outperformance by corn 
hybrids containing our AGRISURE ARTESIAN® 
native trait. Extensive trials have shown that it not 
only delivers superior yield under drought stress, 
but also maximizes yield in normal conditions. 
Traits are just one element of our water 
optimization offer: we are also combining crop 
protection and irrigation to bring higher yield with 
greater convenience. 

High corn prices have caused pressure on margins 
for ethanol producers. This has increased the value 
proposition for ENOGEN®, the industry’s first output 
trait in corn, which accelerates the conversion of 
starch to sugar in ethanol production. ENOGEN® 
brings a cost advantage of $ 0.08–0.11 per gallon 
and makes more efficient use of energy and water, 
resulting in a carbon footprint reduction of more 
than 10 percent. We have signed commercial 
agreements with four ethanol plants, with further 
trials planned in 2013. 

Leveraging our trait portfolio
In Latin America, second-season corn crops are 
the key to better land use and farm productivity. 
In Brazil, where 70 percent of domestic grain 
consumption is for poultry feed, growth in poultry 
exports is being constrained by grain availability and 
quality issues. We are leveraging our trait portfolio 
to address the particular needs of local farmers with 
the launch of AGRISURE ARTESIAN® for drought 
tolerance and VIPTERA™ to combat the insects that 
can cause mycotoxin contamination.

An integrated 
water solution 
revolutionizes 
production   
“To be able to put 
Syngenta’s integrated water 
solution tools to use was 
priceless – it helped us to 
raise a good crop under 
extreme drought conditions.”

Theresa and John Schilke  
(left and right) 
Corn growers  
with Ray Hanson, 
Agronomic consultant 
Imperial, Nebraska, USA

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

23

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Performance review
Crops in focus continued

Soybean

Sales in Soybean $m

Crop Protection 
Seeds 

1,883
458

2012 sales

$ 2,341m

Target sales $m
2015
2020

~2,500
~3,500

Soybean pipeline highlights

 Integrated Solutions 

 Crop Protection 

 Seeds 

2012

  AMS APHID MANAGEMENT SySTEM™:  
integrated aphid control

 Management of resistant weeds: FLEXSTAR®

2015

 SOLATENOL®; Integrated rust solutions

 Disease resistance: Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia

2020

 Abiotic stress solutions

  Herbicide tolerance: multiple modes of action

 For full pipeline visit www.syngenta.com/ar2012

Soybean is the world’s primary source of vegetable 
protein. About 80 percent is used for animal feed, 
with the remainder used either directly for food or 
in a wide range of industrial products. Demand is 
global and just three countries – the USA, Brazil 
and Argentina – account for over 80 percent of 
production. Consistently high soybean prices have 
encouraged investment in expanded acreage, crop 
protection and yield enhancement, particularly in 
Latin America. Soybean sales are targeted to reach 
$ 3.5 billion in 2020 as our integrated pest control 
solutions gain momentum.

Unrivalled crop protection portfolio and 
expanding seeds offer
Soybean growers face a broad range of pests and 
diseases, and Syngenta offers them an unrivalled 
portfolio of crop protection products and an 
expanding seeds offer. 

In parts of Latin America, the tropical climate means 
that disease control is a key priority for growers. 
Our leading position in the control of soybean rust – 
a potentially devastating disease – will be reinforced 
with the forthcoming launch of SOLATENOL®, our 
new leading-edge SDHI fungicide technology. We 
will be combining this new compound with existing 
chemistry to combat triazole-resistant rust and to 
set a new standard for disease control in soybean.

PLENUS®: The 
ready-to-sow 
soybean   
“Producing the seeds 
ourselves is a huge 
operation as well as 
a logistical challenge. 
This is why I appreciate 
PLENUS® – it’s convenient, 
it’s simple, and it’s safe.”

Luis Gonzalez Victorica 
(right) 
Director, Cazenave & 
Asociados SA 
with Esteban Lopetegui, 
Syngenta 
Buenos Aires province, 
Argentina

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

24

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
We are further investing in breeding to expand our 
genetics across all climatic regions, to accelerate 
yield gain through state-of-the-art technologies, 
and to bring innovative native traits to the market.

Innovative integrated solutions
We also provide a growing range of integrated 
solutions such as PLENUS®, which combines 
quality germplasm with crop enhancement and 
pest control products. The Syngenta AMS APHID 
MANAGEMENT SySTEM™ combines an aphid-
resistant native trait with CRUISERMAXX® seed 
treatment and WARRIOR® II crop protection to 
prevent aphid damage, which can result in up 
to 50 percent yield loss. In the USA, we are 
addressing weed resistance to glyphosate with 
a range of chemical formulations, and we have 
a new herbicide-tolerance trait under development 
that will allow the use of CALLISTO® in soybeans.

Soybean nematodes can cause yield loss valued 
at $ 2 billion a year in North America alone. Over 
80 percent of our soybean varieties have therefore 
been bred to incorporate genetic resistance to 
nematodes. In Brazil, we offer a seed care solution 
including AVICTA®, the most effective treatment for 
nematodes on the market.

To add to this platform, we have been developing 
new native traits and nematicidal bacteria with 
Pasteuria Bioscience, Inc. in the USA. Our 
acquisition of Pasteuria in 2012 will enable us 
rapidly to incorporate these products alongside our 
chemical range. Pasteuria’s ability to manufacture 
at scale means that we expect our first biocontrol 
seed treatment for soybean cyst nematode to be 
ready for US launch in 2014.

Enabling growers to establish sustainable 
farming models
Europe is dependent on imported soybean and is 
leading demand for certified produce grown under 
sustainable farming models. Syngenta is the first 
company to provide services that help growers 
adapt their operations so that they can qualify for 
sustainability certification and capture a price 
premium. Our SUSTENTIA™ program, launched in 
Argentina in 2012, already covers 20,000 hectares. 
Plans are underway to extend the program to Brazil 
and Paraguay.

Cereals

Sales in Cereals $m

Crop Protection 
Seeds 

1,496
103

2012 sales

$1,599m

Target sales $m
2015
2020

~2,000
~2,800

Cereals pipeline highlights

 Integrated Solutions 

 Crop Protection 

 Seeds 

2012

  Seed care and crop enhancement innovation:  
CRUISER®, CELEST®, MODDUS®, PALISADE® 

 Leading seeds business: wheat and barley

2015

  Integrated solutions: hybrid barley, weed management, 
Fusarium control
  New product launches:  
VIBRANCE®, SEGURIS®, BONTIMA®

2020

  Targeted chemical-genetic interaction, 
new business models

 Hybrid wheat: biotic, abiotic traits

 For full pipeline visit www.syngenta.com/ar2012

Cereals are the world’s largest crop by acreage 
and the largest food crop: around 80 percent 
of production is for food. They are grown almost 
everywhere – wheat is cultivated in over 
120 countries.

Over the next few years we expect significant 
market growth as lower-yield regions around the 
world invest in technology to increase productivity. 
In the CIS, for example – with a planted area 
roughly the size of the USA, Canada and China put 
together – yield averages only 1.5 metric tons per 
hectare, compared with more than 6 metric tons 
in Western Europe. 

Syngenta is the global leader in cereal seeds and 
number two in crop protection and seed care. 
We are aiming to increase sales at double the 
market growth rate by integrating our market-
leading technology in seeds and chemicals. Sales 
are forecast to exceed $ 2.8 billion in 2020 as new 
active ingredients and hybridization contribute 
to the development of integrated solutions. 
Our unrivalled presence across all of the world’s 
significant cereals markets means we can tailor 

25

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Performance review
Crops in focus continued

Setting the pace in fungicides and herbicides
Disease in cereals reduces yield and grain quality, 
and can make wheat unfit for a variety of food uses. 
Our best-in-class fungicide portfolio is led by 
AMISTAR®, which plays a vital role in yield and quality 
delivery. We are now making further advances with 
the launch of products from the new SDHI class of 
chemistry. These include isopyrazam, which received 
European Union (EU) approval in November. 

Isopyrazam’s advanced “double-binding” technology 
ensures strong adhesion to fungus and to leaf wax, 
providing long-lasting and durable disease protection. 
Under the EU’s provisional approval system, British 
and Irish cereal farmers have for the past two growing 
seasons experienced the benefits of isopyrazam 
in SEGURIS® for wheat and BONTIMA® for barley. 
These growers have consistently achieved better 
disease control and higher crop yield, which has 
increased by up to 2 metric tons per hectare. 

VIBRANCE®, also from the SDHI class, is the first 
product on the market exclusively developed as a 
seed treatment. Launched in Argentina in 2011, it is 
now being introduced across Europe, North America 
and Australia. VIBRANCE® promotes strong root 
development and increases the number of shoots 
per row, leading to significantly higher yield per acre.

Infestation of Fusarium in wheat can result in 
mycotoxins, which cause an estimated annual 
economic loss of $ 1.5–2.0 billion in terms of lower 
yield, lower prices and grain rejection. By combining 
our genetics, seed care and fungicides, and by 
providing analytical tools to detect and monitor the 
problem, we have been able to achieve dramatic 
reductions in mycotoxin levels.

Our cereal herbicide AXIAL® can be used on both 
wheat and barley, giving growers added flexibility. 
2012 saw strong growth in the key Canadian 
market and successful launches in several 
other countries.

Using fertilizers more efficiently
New benefits are emerging for AMISTAR®, the 
world’s leading fungicide. By extending greening, 
it enables the crop to deliver higher yield under 
a low fertilizer regime.

In 2012, we reached a global agreement with 
Novozymes to commercialize novel biological 
technology that enables crops to use phosphates 
more efficiently. Applied in combination with our 
seed care products, JumpStart®1 increases 
phosphate solubility in the soil and stimulates 
early crop establishment.

Hybridizing barley: 
step change in 
productivity 
 “Hybrid barley has made a 
very good impression on us 
with high grain weight and 
good yields. It is different to 
conventional barley, but it 
works really well – otherwise 
we wouldn’t be using it here 
for the fourth year running.”

Frank Edelbauer (left)  
Barley grower 
with Ralf Becker, Syngenta 
Wisselsheim, Germany

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

solutions accurately to local soils, climate and grower 
needs. And our close connections with downstream 
processors – including brewers, bakers and pasta 
makers – enable us to help farmers meet their often 
very stringent requirements. 

Leading the hybrid revolution
Traditionally, cereals growers have relied on open 
pollination and saved seed. Through targeted 
breeding of male and female plants, we can now 
produce barley hybrids with exceptional vigor and 
high yield. 

Taking this a step further, we have launched unique 
protocols combining hybrid barley seeds and 
chemicals, which can raise yield by more than 
10 percent and more than double profit per 
hectare. Second-generation hybrids now in the 
pipeline promise further yield improvements, 
and we are working to apply our hybridization 
experience to wheat. We anticipate strong growth 
in sales in the years to come as we broaden the 
reach of these offers.

In 2012, we formed two new breeding partnerships 
to expand our access to quality local germplasm. 
Under a barley collaboration with InterGrain in 
Australia, we will exchange germplasm to develop 
new integrated solutions and gain exclusive rights to 
commercialize InterGrain varieties outside Australia. 
In Argentina, our collaboration with Buck Semillas 
aims to develop new wheat varieties and integrated 
solutions for farmers.

1  Registered trademark 

of Novozymes

26

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Rice

Sales in Rice $m

Crop Protection 
Seeds 

583
7

2012 sales

$ 590m

Target sales $m
2015
2020

~1,000
~2,000

Rice pipeline highlights

 Integrated Solutions 

 Crop Protection 

 Seeds 

2012

 TEGRA® prototype

  GROMORE™ expanding crop protection 
technology footprint

2015

 TEGRA® expansion

 RisoLution Pro and OptiGro

2020

 Strong active ingredient pipeline

  GM traits: insect control

 For full pipeline visit www.syngenta.com/ar2012

Rice is a staple food for almost half the world’s 
population. Asia accounts for 90 percent of global 
production and consumption. The current rate of 
productivity improvement is not keeping pace with 
rising demand, which is driven by population and 
economic growth. Without an acceleration in 
productivity, the coming decades will see shortages 
and price inflation that could be devastating for the 
billions who depend on rice.

To meet the challenge, we are deploying multiple 
technologies: genetics to enhance yield, crop 
protection to secure this yield, and locally-tailored 
agronomic protocols to use our technology 
effectively. Our strategy is to develop fully integrated 
offers for both the transplanted-cultivation and 
direct-seeded markets.

Four key offers – GROMORE™, TEGRA®, OptiGro 
and RisoLution Pro – will enable us to reach all 
types of growers. By expanding the reach of these 
offers and fully exploiting our crop protection 
portfolio and agronomic advisory services, we 
aim to raise annual sales from $ 590 million today 
to $ 2 billion by the end of the decade. 

GROMORE™: 
Aligned to the life 
cycle of rice 
“I only had to plant 25 kg 
of seeds compared to 75 kg 
before, which gives me 
a much higher return on 
my investment.”

Mohammad Fardaus 
Rana (left) 
Rice grower 
with Nazmul Kabir, 
Syngenta 
Daribri, Bangladesh

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

27

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Performance review
Crops in focus continued

Focus on smallholders
Crop protection is the mainstay of our offer, and we 
have developed our range of GROMORE™ protocols 
to combine our existing technology and make it 
accessible to smaller farmers. This approach of 
coupling quality products with timely advice in the 
language of the farmer has secured immediate yield 
increases of up to 30 percent for growers in 
Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia. A particular 
focus is the first 60 days of plant development – the 
seedling and vegetative stages. These are crucial 
to maximizing yield and fully exploiting the potential 
of improved seeds and crop protection inputs.

The GROMORE™ approach can be used globally, 
with protocols tailored to local conditions It was 
the main driver of our 12 percent growth1 in rice 
sales in 2012 and will spearhead our expansion 
into new markets.

Integrated solutions for all farm sizes
The other principal growth driver will be TEGRA®, 
our integrated growing system, which has shown 
an average yield advantage of 30 percent. 
TEGRA® enables growers to outsource seedling 
production. The full TEGRA® program is designed 
for growers with plots between one and five 
hectares and addresses the key challenge of 
labor scarcity and cost. We grow seedlings from 
high-quality seeds treated with CRUISERMAXX®, 
mechanically transplant the seedlings into the 
farmer’s field and then provide support with a 
GROMORE™ protocol. In 2012, we expanded 
TEGRA® sales in India and ran successful pilots 
in Bangladesh and Guatemala. 

We are also perfecting patentable technology for 
producing and handling seedlings more efficiently. 
This will enable us to expand the TEGRA® program 
to suit both large- and small-scale farms. TEGRA® 
NURSERy will provide seedlings for large-scale 
growers who are already able to mechanically 
transplant. TEGRA® PADDy is for smallholders 
with fields or budgets too small for mechanization, 
but who still wish to improve the quality and 
convenience of their seedling supply.

Two further integrated offers will contribute to the 
achievement of our 2020 growth ambition for rice. 
OptiGro is a precision direct seeding method 
developed for medium to large farms in markets 
such as Northern India, the USA and Brazil. 
Promoted as “growing rice like corn”, it can offer 
more sophisticated growers a 300 percent return 
on their incremental investment.

RisoLution Pro is a production system for farmers 
in Japan, Korea, China and Europe who grow 
japonica rice varieties for high-end consumer 
markets. This system applies TEGRA® technology 
tailored to high-quality japonica seeds, with a 
GROMORE™ protocol that includes biological 
controls in the last 60 days of growth to comply 
with food processors’ residue requirements.

Harnessing the power of hybrids
For the future, we look to hybrids to help us achieve 
a step change in yields while maintaining genetic 
diversity to provide the many different types of 
rice needed to satisfy consumer requirements 
in local markets.

Our existing pipeline of hybrids will be significantly 
augmented by the acquisition of Devgen. This will 
reinforce our global leadership in rice by enabling 
us to incorporate the next generation of hybrid 
technology. Less than 5 percent of the rice seed 
used in Asia, excluding China, is hybridized. 
This represents huge scope for broad-based yield 
improvement. Devgen’s best-in-class hybrids and 
broad germplasm diversity will complement our 
crop protection portfolio and will accelerate the 
development of our integrated offers.

Vegetables

Sales in Vegetables $m

Crop Protection 
Seeds 

988
682

2012 sales

$ 1,670m

Target sales $m
2015
2020

~2,000
>3,000

Vegetables pipeline highlights

 Integrated Solutions 

 Crop Protection 

 Seeds 

2012

 Growth stage programs for emerging markets 

 FARMORE® growth: fungicides, insecticides

2015

 Enhancement of biologicals offer

 Expanding output traits portfolio all crops

2020

 Integrated young plant solutions

  Breakthrough resistance management

 For full pipeline visit www.syngenta.com/ar2012

1  At constant exchange rates

28

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Increasing vegetable 
yields with an 
integrated approach 
 “I increased my overall yield 
from 20 to 36 metric tons, 
and, thanks to the superior 
fruit quality, I also achieved 
a better price on the market.”

Narayanappa 
Narayanaswamy 
Vegetables grower 
Karnataka, India

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

1  Registered trademark  
of Precision Drip B.V.

29

Around 1 billion metric tons of vegetables are 
produced every year, with approximately 75 percent 
of the total grown in Asia. Because consumers 
around the world have very diverse preferences, 
vegetables are grown in many different varieties 
to suit local tastes and cuisine. 

Our strategy is therefore based on serving the 
widely varying needs of a broad spectrum of 
growers across the world. These range from open 
field production by smallholders in many parts of 
Asia, to the highly intensive production found in 
countries such as Spain, Israel or the Netherlands. 
Vegetables sales are forecast to exceed $ 3 billion 
in 2020 as we address multiple challenges in both 
developed and emerging markets.

Smallholder intensification
In emerging Asia and Africa, many farmers still use 
open pollinated seeds and invest relatively little in 
crop protection. Their productivity is correspondingly 
low. The introduction of hybrids is bringing higher 
marketable yield by increasing the amount of 
harvestable produce per plant as well as improving 
genetic tolerance to insects and disease. Through 
our integrated strategy, we are promoting simple, 
easy-to-use crop protection programs alongside 
these hybrids, resulting in significant improvements 
in yield, quality and reliability.

Early crop establishment
Good crop establishment is essential for growing 
healthy crops. We are focusing attention on the 
first eight weeks of growth, which have a decisive 
impact on quality and yield. We are driving the 
development and adoption of seed treatment with 
our comprehensive range of technologies for seed 
and young plant protection, delivered through our 
innovative FARMORE® seed treatment platform. 
This includes novel mechanized application 
methods such as Phyto-Drip®.1 In North America 
and Mexico, we have expanded our FULL COUNT® 
young plant program, driving further growth in our 
melon business.

In developed markets, growers must meet ever 
more demanding specifications set by the value 
chain, with an increasing emphasis on sustainability 
and food safety. We enable growers to meet these 
standards through an integrated approach that 
combines genetics, chemical protection and 
beneficial insects such as our BIOLINE® biologicals. 
Our strength in molecular marker research enables 
us to identify genes relevant for many desirable 
food characteristics  – such as sugar, texture or 
color – and to create new varieties expressing 
these genes by means of traditional, non-GM 
breeding techniques.

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Performance review
Crops in focus continued

Sugar cane

Sales in Sugar cane $m

Crop Protection 
Seeds 

259
0

2012 sales

$ 259m

Target sales $m
2015
2020

~1,000
~2,000

Sugar cane pipeline highlights

 Integrated Solutions 

 Crop Protection 

 Seeds 

2012

  PLENE® breakthrough planting technology 
and seed care solutions

 Optimized genetics

2015

 Abiotic stress solutions

 Next generation PLENE®

2020

 Plant expression for second generation biofuels

  GM traits for sugar content

 For full pipeline visit www.syngenta.com/ar2012

Cane supplies around three-quarters of the world’s 
sugar consumption. Demand is rising rapidly but a 
historical lack of investment has meant that growers 
are struggling to keep pace.

Our sugar cane activity is mainly focused on Brazil, 
which accounts for over a third of global output. 
Expansion there has been accelerated by the 
development of the biofuel industry: sugar cane is 
the most cost-efficient feedstock with the lowest 
CO2 balance for plant-derived ethanol used in 
vehicle fuel. Ethanol accounts for about half of 
Brazilian cane output, but production is still falling 
short of demand. Sugar cane is currently the smallest 
of our eight strategic crops but will expand significantly 
with the growing use of technology in Brazil.

Boosting yield to meet demand
In recent years, Brazilian yields have stalled at around 
80 metric tons per hectare. Aging cane stocks and 
a high incidence of pests have hindered yield 
advances and exacerbated production shortfalls. 

We believe that growing awareness of the potential 
of technology will lead to significant increases in 
both acreage and investment over the next 10 years. 
Proof of this is already coming through in a dramatic 
increase in demand for our herbicides. Building on 
the breadth of our range, we are able to extend the 
offer across the growing cycle by incorporating 
products including MODDUS®, PRIORI XTRA®, 
CALLISTO® and ACTARA®. The benefits extend 
beyond pest control by boosting vigor and elevating 
sugar levels at the time of harvest. Total crop 
protection sales in sugar cane were up by 25 percent 
in 2012. To support our integrated solutions, we 
created 300 commercial size test fields in Brazil.

Investing in for the future
Our novel PLENE® agronomy system brings 
together chemicals and genetics, and facilitates 
the renewal of sugar cane plantations. We have 
expanded our offer to include seedlings and young 
plants produced at our new biofactory in Itápolis, 
Brazil, which is the largest in the world for sugar 
cane. We plan to ramp up production from 
3.5 million to 6 million young plants per year.

Rising demand makes sugar cane an increasingly 
attractive crop in a number of other countries, such 
as India and South Africa, where there is also 
significant potential for increasing investment. 

A further longer-term opportunity lies in our 
development of GM traits to address needs such 
as drought stress and sugar productivity. The use 
of enzyme technology to increase the amount 
of sugar expressed by the plant could make 
a significant improvement to land productivity.

300 fields of 
integrated solutions 
 “It’s great to experience 
such a wide range of 
benefits on the field. 
I believe that the true 
potential of sugar cane 
can only be revealed 
through the integration 
of technologies.”

Luis Arakaki 
Owner, Alcoeste Mill 
Fernandópolis, Brazil

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

30

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Diverse field crops

Sales in Diverse field crops $m

Crop Protection 
Seeds 

692
607

2012 sales

$ 1,299m

Target sales $m
2015
2020

~1,500
~2,200

Diverse field crops pipeline highlights

 Integrated Solutions 

 Crop Protection 

 Seeds 

2012

  Crop vigor and plant establishment: CRUISER®, 
HELIX XTRA®, FORCE® MAGNA
  High value hybrids: NK®, SyNGENTA®, SPS®, MARIBO®, 
HILLESHÖG®

2015

  Total control solutions: broomrape, nematodes, 
Rhizoctonia, Phoma

  Enhanced root health: VIBRANCE®

2020

  Targeted chemical-genetic interaction

   Wild trait introgression

 For full pipeline visit www.syngenta.com/ar2012

Diverse field crops comprise sunflower, oilseed 
rape and sugar beet. In each of the geographies 
where these crops are grown, they offer growers 
a sustainable crop rotation with cereals and a good 
return on investment for participants in the value 
chain. Sales of diverse field crops are expected 
to exceed $ 2 billion in 2020 as we build on our 
leading seeds portfolio to launch integrated offers.

Global demand for vegetable oils is growing at 
about 4 percent a year. Sunflower and oilseed rape 
represent some 20 percent of this market and are 
benefiting from a rising demand for healthy oils. 
Sugar beet provides around a quarter of the 
world’s sugar and is also used in biogas and 
ethanol production. 

Syngenta was early to recognize the growth 
potential for sunflowers, supplementing organic 
growth with acquisitions. 

Today, we are the world leader in sunflowers 
due to our portfolio of high-quality seeds – both 
conventional and high oleic hybrids – and our seed 
care and crop protection range. Because sunflower 
is a hardy crop that faces relatively few pest 
challenges, seeds represent some 70 percent of 
the total market value. However, as awareness of the 
value of the crop increases, so do the opportunities 
for incorporating seed care and crop protection.

Technology adoption 
put to the test  
 “I am using the most 
advanced Syngenta 
technology together with 
the latest conservation 
tillage practices, and I am 
working above 5 metric tons 
per hectare consistently.”

Ferenc Miko (center) 
Sunflower grower 
with Péter Heicz (left) 
and Ferenc Erbár (right), 
Syngenta  
Enying, Hungary

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

31

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Performance review
Crops in focus continued

Specialty crops

Sales in Specialty crops $m

Crop Protection 
Seeds 

2,049
2

2012 sales

$ 2,051m

Target sales $m
2015
2020

~2,500
~4,000

Specialty crops pipeline highlights
 Crop Protection 

 Integrated Solutions 

 Seeds 

2012

  Partnerships, e.g. Fundação MT: in licensed germplasm,  
crop protection and seed care in cotton

  Crop protection technology footprint and breadth

2015

 Chemical-genetic solutions: potatoes and cotton

  Crop enhancement potential for abiotic benefits: 
VERDADERO®, AMISTAR®, MODDUS®

2020

 Chemical-genetic solutions: tree and vine crops

  Adjacent technologies integrated into solutions

 For full pipeline visit www.syngenta.com/ar2012

Our specialty crops business covers over 
40 diverse, high-value crops grown around the 
world. Five crop groups account for around 
70 percent of total sales: potatoes, cotton, citrus 
and pome fruits, grapes, and plantation crops 
such as bananas and coffee. Our broad portfolio 
of chemical and biological products present 
exciting opportunities to bring new technology 
to these markets. We believe the business has 
potential to grow from $ 2 billion annual sales 
today to over $ 4 billion in the next 10 years.

Investing to supply quality hybrids
Russia and the Ukraine already account for about half 
the world’s sunflower acreage and are transitioning 
from open pollinated varieties to high-value hybrids. 
To speed this development, we plan to invest up to 
$ 85 million in building a hybrid seed and crop 
protection production facility in Russia.

We are also building a new sunflower and corn seed 
processing plant in Argentina, expanding facilities 
at seed production farms, and continuing to invest 
in seed development at our network of field stations. 
In the USA, the acquisition of Sunfield Seeds in 
November further strengthens our supply chain 
capability to enable future growth.

Expanding the technology offer in sunflowers
We have signed a global agreement with BASF 
to license its Clearfield® Plus herbicide tolerance 
technology for use in sunflowers, and will also sell 
BASF’s associated imazamox-based herbicides 
in Europe. When combined with our best-in-class 
hybrids, these products will increase the choices 
available to sunflower growers for maximizing yield 
and competitiveness.

New solutions in oilseeds 
Canola in North America is often associated with 
oilseed rape in Europe, but the two crops require 
different approaches. Canola is almost entirely 
hybridized, and there is a high level of 
biotechnology adoption.

We have long-standing experience of canola in 
Canada through our comprehensive crop protection 
portfolio. With complete offers commanding a 
significant premium, we announced in October 
that we will bring canola seeds to market for the 
2014 growing season. This will facilitate the delivery 
of new canola solutions for Canadian growers.

We are also advancing technology in winter oilseed 
rape in Europe, where the crop represents the main 
source of plant-based biodiesel and is rapidly 
transitioning from varieties to hybrids. We have 
developed SAFECROSS®, a proprietary hybridization 
system, which offers numerous benefits in terms 
of both breeding and supply chain management. 

Post-harvest challenges in sugar beet
The challenge of producing sugar beet does not end 
with harvest. Sugar companies are confronted with 
diminishing sugar content for every day that the beet 
spends in storage, and there is also a risk of root rot 
if disease is present in the crop. We are leveraging 
our experience with post-harvest chemistry in crops 
such as potatoes to develop solutions that not only 
increase yield in the field, but also help protect the 
sugar beet once it has been harvested. 

32

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Every tree counts 
 “Thanks to Syngenta’s 
commitment and expertise, 
Phytophthora management 
is now a fundamental part of 
our overall Greening strategy, 
and it appears to be reducing 
the impacts of Greening in 
our citrus groves.”

John Smoak (right) 
President,  
Smoak Groves, Inc. 
with Edward Smoak 
(center), Managing Principal,  
Smoak Groves, Inc. 
and John Taylor, Syngenta 
Lake Placid, Florida, USA

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

33

Scaling through integrated solutions
Cotton insects and diseases are adapting to better 
traits and changing environmental conditions. 
This creates demand for our leading crop 
protection and seed care portfolios, particularly 
where we can integrate our technologies with 
quality genetics. In Brazil, we have strengthened 
our partnership with Fundação MT, combining its 
premium seeds with our leading active ingredients 
and strong market access to create integrated 
solutions that offer farmers higher returns.

For small-scale farms in India, we are developing 
agronomic protocols to enhance convenience 
and yield. And in the USA, we are prototyping a 
drought-resistant platform to deliver environmental 
and economic benefits.

Potatoes – closing the yield gap
We have the market-leading crop protection 
portfolio in potatoes, with particular strength 
in seed care and fungicides to control blights. 
yields in developed markets exceed 40 metric tons 
per hectare, though they are generally much lower 
in emerging markets. 

To address this yield gap, we are expanding our 
portfolio to include seed production, and increasing 
our focus on the early crop establishment stage. 
In China, the world’s largest potato producer, 
we have developed potatoes for high-quality 
commercial seed production to give predictable 
yield and consistent quality. These are key priorities 
for potato processors. 

Integrating quality and sustainability 
in grapes
To meet the increasingly rigorous expectations of 
consumers and the food chain, we are developing 
integrated solutions for a number of crops, combining 
chemical and biological controls. In 2012, we 
launched our integrated crop management 
program for grape growers. This program 
incorporates crop protection and market access 
compliance support, along with guidance in 
meeting sustainability criteria. Within 10 years, our 
aim is to have one in four bottles of wine worldwide 
produced using our integrated solutions.

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Performance review
Crops in focus continued

Fighting disease and pests more sustainably
Bananas are the most internationally-traded fresh 
fruit. They play an important role in countries such 
as Ecuador, where they account for half of national 
agricultural GDP. We have the industry’s leading 
portfolio for disease and insect control, including 
isopyrazam for control of the prevalent fungal 
disease black sigatoka. We are expanding into 
biofungicides, working on new nematode solutions 
to improve the crop’s environmental footprint, 
and seeking alternative ways to improve yield 
and fruit quality. We are also rolling out internationally 
a new sustainable production technology developed 
in Ecuador. This captures crop information in the 
field to enable tailored protocols that take plant 
conditions and weather forecasts into account.

Better deals for coffee growers
We continue to expand our Brazilian coffee business, 
built on the combination of our crop protection 
technologies and our proprietary NUCOFFEE® 
business model. Launched in 2006, it involves 
the entire production chain and handled a total 
of 270,000 bags in 2012. 

As well as products, we offer consulting to produce 
superior quality beans, better traceability and 
product marketing – resulting in an increase 
of up to 50 percent in growers’ revenues. 

In other major coffee producing countries such 
as Colombia and Vietnam, we continue to 
improve agronomic practices and market access, 
supporting smallholders’ livelihoods, sustainability 
and coffee quality.

Lawn and Garden

2012 sales

$ 757m

Target sales $m
2015
2020

~800
~1,100

We also apply our world-leading agricultural 
technology in the turf and landscape and flowers 
markets, where we are the market leader.

Simplifying and focusing the business
Our aim is to outperform the market by focusing 
on integrated solutions based on high-value 
chemistry and genetics. In 2012, we simplified 
the business in order to gain scale in these areas 
and to improve profitability.

The acquisition of the DuPont Professional Products 
insecticide business broadens our portfolio of 
high-value chemical controls and includes established 
product brands. The acquisition will expand the range 
we offer to golf course and lawn care professionals 
as well as to ornamental growers, and will also 
strengthen our position in home pest control.

Also in line with our strategic focus, we divested 
two lower-margin businesses. The Fafard growing 
media business was sold to SunGro, with whom 
we will continue to collaborate in order to include 
growing media in our integrated offers. We also 
divested our Flowers distribution and brokerage 
business, Syngenta Horticultural Services, to Griffin 
Greenhouse Supplies Inc. Griffin has signed a 
long-term agreement to distribute and broker 
Syngenta Flowers genetics throughout the USA.

The flowers market has been under significant 
pressure because of low consumer confidence 
during the economic downturn. In order to 
streamline our operations and leverage our assets, 
we have combined our professional and consumer 
business units. This will concentrate resources 
behind the delivery of offers that span the needs 
of the entire value chain. 

34

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Turning the corner 
in the turf market  
 “In this challenging market, 
Syngenta gives us the best 
products and the best 
service for our customers. 
What I appreciate most is 
the flexibility and customer-
focused cooperation at 
field level.”

Jack Harrell, Jr. (left) 
Chairman and CEO, 
Harrell’s LLC  
with Dave Ravel, Syngenta 
Lakeland, Florida, USA

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

1  Registered trademark of 
an ISK group company
2  Registered trademark of 
OMS Investment, Inc.

35

Innovating to provide integrated solutions
We do not just sell plants to our customers, we 
provide complete growing solutions. In Japan, 
HANA-SHIKSAI® – which means colorful flower – 
offers convenience and reliability with the promise 
“Just add water”. This solution appeals to 
inexperienced gardeners who happily exchange 
convenience and satisfaction for a significant 
price premium.

Our growing protocols and retail programs also 
recognize the desire among retailers to minimize 
inventory wastage. Combining our genetics and 
chemicals expertise, we have developed a range 
of superior genetics grown in trays containing 
chemical controls and fertilizer. After a successful 
prototype in Japan, we are now expanding 
to commercialize with a leading gardening and 
DIy retailer at over 1,000 stores, and will pilot 
the concept in the USA and Europe with 
strategic partners.

In the golf market, we work with course operators 
and greens keepers to make golf courses more 
playable and attractive, while also making their 
operations more profitable and sustainable. 

Our holistic approach and integrated solutions 
result in optimal playing surfaces that use less 
water, require less frequent mowing, and create 
habitats on the golf course that sustain pollinators 
and increase biodiversity.

In 2012, we rejuvenated our flagship DACONIL® 
fungicide brand by combining it with another 
chemical that boosts turf’s natural defenses. 
DACONIL® ACTION offers broader disease control 
and enhanced drought tolerance. In its first year, 
it has lifted the market share of DACONIL® to 
40 percent. Learning from its success, we are 
launching another differentiated fungicide, Secure®1, 
to extend further our golf market leadership. 

Partnering to create new possibilities
Collaborating with partners broadens our 
opportunity to create market-shaping products. 
In partnership with The Scotts Miracle-Gro 
Company, we have launched Patch Magic®2 
in Switzerland. This breakthrough in grass 
seed combines seed and fertilizer in a single 
application and solves the widespread challenge 
of bare lawn patches. 

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
The way we work

Building on our strengths

Our challenge is to grow more from less – year after year, sustainably. We know 
we cannot do this on our own, but recognize that we have a part to play and 
a responsibility to play it well. To maximize our contribution, as well as our 
commercial success, we need to excel at innovations and partnerships. 
We are committed to collaborating with the many groups that share our vision 
of feeding an ever-growing population, while maximizing the positive impact 
on people and the environment.

Research and 
Development

With over 5,000 people at Research and 
Development (R&D) centers and field stations 
worldwide, Syngenta is the leader in grower-focused 
innovation. In 2012, we invested $ 1.25 billion in 
developing quality seeds and crop protection 
products, as well as crop-based solutions that 
integrate our genetic and chemical technologies. 

Investment in R&D $bn
2010
2011
2012

1.08
1.19
1.25

During the year, we made good progress in 
building the new R&D organization, especially the 
global platforms that support integrated solution 
development such as our portfolio management 
and trialing platforms. We also made progress 
delivering more cross-functional ways of thinking 
and working. Teams are becoming increasingly 
more proficient at sharing knowledge and gaining 
inputs from multi-disciplinary networks, as well as 
utilizing the global expertise in the company to 
solve challenges, shape the portfolio and create 
breakthrough integrated solutions addressing 
growers’ needs. 

Delivering innovation
We are at the start of a journey to leverage the 
full benefits of our new R&D organization, and 
teams are already working on exciting integrated 
projects for all our crops. 

For example, the parasitic weed broomrape can 
drastically reduce sunflower yield. As the global 
market leader in sunflowers, we are establishing 
a Broomrape Center of Excellence in Stein, 
Switzerland. A team is already working on 
combining genetics with herbicides, seed care 
and crop enhancement chemistry to create 
new solutions. Once we prove the concept on 
broomrape, we plan to extend it to other parasitic 
plants in crops, including rapeseed, tomatoes 
and corn.

Another integrated project is seeking new ways to 
combat nematodes – parasitic worms that attack 
the roots of many crops. In tomatoes, resistance 
breeding and pesticides do not provide enough 
protection on their own, so we are working on 
solutions that complement genetics with chemistry. 
The promising results so far suggest a potential 
model for other vegetable crops. 

SOLATENOL®, with an initial launch in Paraguay, 
brings best-in-class control of rust in soybean and 
a new mode of action to combat triazole resistance, 
confirming our strength in SDHI chemistry 
(succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors). SDHIs are 
a new class of fungicides that also include our 
products isopyrazam and sedaxane. This work 
exemplifies our expertise in “designer chemistry” – 
adapting a backbone structure to produce a family 
of molecules with different properties and 
chemical behaviors to address a variety of crops 
and pest targets.

AGRISURE ARTESIAN® is a native trait that helps 
plants use water more efficiently at every growth 
stage to provide season-long defense against 
drought. Results from US field trials in 2012 
confirmed that corn hybrids with AGRISURE 
ARTESIAN® outperform comparable hybrids. 
Innovative precision application systems combining 
water and crop protection chemicals are a further 
development in water optimization.

36

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Our seeds products continue to win recognition 
for innovation. In 2012, our new ANGELLO™ sweet 
seedless pepper won the Innovation Award at Fruit 
Logistica, the fruit and vegetable sector’s leading 
trade fair. And the Syngenta Flowers creation 
LANAI® TWISTER RED, a tri-colored hybrid 
verbena, won the 2012/13 FleuroStar Award. 

Many more examples of our innovation delivery 
can be seen on pages 22 to 35.

Investing in innovation
Our investment in establishing a global 
biotechnology platform made major advances 
in 2012. We started to extend our facility in North 
Carolina, USA, with climate-controlled greenhouses 
and precision growth chambers. Science magazine 
has also ranked us in the Top 20 biotech employers 
for the fourth year running. In particular, we were 
highly rated for important, quality research, social 
responsibility and treating employees with respect. 
This recognition is invaluable as we continue to 
grow and recruit across all disciplines. 

Investment in our breeding capability and 
supporting infrastructure has also been key this 
year. We are building a new facility at Jealott’s Hill 
in the UK to support the critical “double haploid 
production” process for breeding wheat, and 
we further established the Syngenta Breeding 
Academy, to enhance the capabilities of people 
across R&D in breeding and related disciplines. 
The academy gained momentum in 2012 with 
several successful internal courses and an 
extended training offer through universities and 
academic institutes. This academy is designed not 
only for expert breeders, but also to help anyone 
working on integrated solutions to understand 
the fundamentals of breeding crops.

An open approach to innovation
Our collaborative approach extends to external 
partners whose expertise and technology 
complement our own. We currently have over 
500 R&D collaborations with universities, research 
institutes and commercial organizations around 
the world. Research agreements signed in 2012 
include deals to broaden further our germplasm 
and traits base, and a partnership with Huazong 
Agricultural University in China to advance 
Bt insect trait lead discovery. 

“Innovation is at the heart of 
Syngenta. In 2012, our R&D teams 
delivered pipeline commitments 
while also enabling future crop 
strategies. The focused investment 
in global technology platforms and 
new capabilities this year will ensure 
that we deliver future innovation 
at scale.”
Robert Berendes  
Ad Interim Head 
Research & Development

An important part of our strategy is to ensure that 
we continually improve our capability and remain 
at the cutting edge of science. In 2012, we made 
two important acquisitions that demonstrate this: 
Devgen and Pasteuria Bioscience, Inc.

With the acquisition of Devgen we gained improved 
breeding approaches and best-in-class rice hybrids 
that will help us accelerate our rice strategy and the 
development of integrated solutions. Devgen is also 
a pioneer in RNAi technology, which regulates 
specific gene products, offering biological ways 
to combat insect pests through sprays and plant 
traits. Although at an early stage, this technology 
offers a lot of potential.

We further strengthened our biocontrols portfolio 
by acquiring Pasteuria Bioscience, Inc., with 
whom we have been developing bacterial 
products to combat nematodes. The deal brings 
us a revolutionary production process and the 
first product, a seed treatment for soybean cyst 
nematode, which is due for launch in 2014.

We have had significant success in using Internet 
platforms for external problem-solving support 
and to attract new ideas from individuals, 
institutions and organizations. In particular, our 
Syngenta THOUGHTSEEDERS® portal has proven 
effective in sourcing ideas that have led to high-
value projects. Sharing knowledge is a two-way 
activity, and we are taking the lead in developing 
progressive new models for sharing intellectual 
property. Our new e-licensing platform provides 
open access to our patented native traits under 
fair and transparent conditions.

37

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012The way we work
Building on our strengths continued

People

The rapidly changing nature of our business 
requires constant investment in our people. 
We must continue to attract, develop and retain 
the talent and capabilities needed to achieve our 
ambitious goals.

Developing careers and capabilities
Our integrated approach to talent development 
gives all employees the opportunity to develop 
their careers, whether locally or globally. As teams 
become increasingly global, we need to support 
strong collaboration across all functions and 
geographies. From an employee performance 
perspective, there is a growing emphasis on 
recognizing and rewarding not only what we deliver, 
but also how we deliver in a way that is aligned with 
our corporate culture and values.

Our learning and development teams are producing 
new programs to build the capabilities required by 
our industry. We deliver these programs in a variety 
of ways that are designed to be applied to specific 
business challenges. In 2012, we invested 
$ 24.6 million in training programs delivered by 
external partners. 

We have a high employee retention rate with an 
attrition rate, excluding restructuring and retirement, 
of less than 6 percent in 2012. The total turnover 
rate was 12.4 percent, reflecting the realization of 
planned cost savings and organizational change 
related to the integrated strategy.

“Syngenta’s performance rests 
firmly upon our culture of 
innovation, and this helps us to 
attract and retain the very best 
talent. We focus on maintaining 
an inspiring and productive 
workplace in which our employees 
are able to learn and grow.”
Caroline Luscombe  
Head Human Resources

Recognizing contributions from 
across Syngenta
We continue to recognize the contributions of 
individuals and teams through our Syngenta 
Awards program. In 2012, 906 entries were 
submitted – representing around 8,000 employees. 
Sharing inspiring stories and learning from one 
another’s experiences is a strong characteristic 
of our culture.

We have completed 23 Crop Demonstration Days, 
which brought to life our strategy and ambition 
for more than 18,000 employees and external 
stakeholders. Sessions led by key people from 
across the organization deepened participants’ 
understanding of our integrated strategy and 
its potential. 

As a global business, we believe diversity and 
inclusion are essential to continuous innovation 
and strong performance. Our diverse workforce 
enhances our ability to develop solutions, which 
fulfill our customers’ needs. In 2012, we appointed 
a Global Head of Diversity and agreed a company-
wide diversity and inclusion strategy. In the first 
instance, we will focus on gender diversity through 
leadership development and tailoring our existing 
mentoring programs. In 2012, women held 
20 percent of the management roles and 
13 percent of the senior management roles. 

Health, safety and wellbeing
Employees’ health and safety are crucial. We have 
rigorous safety policies and expect everyone in the 
business to take personal responsibility for safety.

Our Goal Zero initiative seeks to achieve zero harm 
to people and zero safety incidents. All accidents 
are preventable. Launched in 2011 to maintain 
focus on safety during the integration of our 
production sites, it has since been extended 
to other parts of the business including R&D. 

For most of our people, the activity with the highest 
risk is driving. In 2012, we expanded our global 
program of safer driving and cycling initiatives. 
These are tailored to individual regions: in Vietnam, 
for example, where sales staff often travel by river, 
we conduct boat safety training. Globally, we 
recorded an 8 percent reduction in incidents 
in 2012.

38

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Across the business, we recorded a 2012 illness 
and injury rate (per 200,000 hours worked) of 
0.39 – beating our target of 0.5. The safety of our 
people is paramount, and we will continue to work 
to reduce all incidents.

Recordable illness and injury rate 
per 200,000 hours
2010
2011
2012

0.41
0.44
0.39

We are also paying increasing attention to 
employees’ health and wellbeing. Our efforts 
so far have been spearheaded by North America, 
where healthy-living initiatives include exercise 
programs targeting at-risk groups such as 
manual workers.

 See detailed “People” performance data on page 60

Manufacturing and 
procurement

Our expanded growth ambitions for the rest of this 
decade present an exciting challenge for our 
Production and Supply organization. While building 
the capacity to support $ 25 billion of sales by 2020, 
we are further improving the basic processes that 
guarantee consistent product quality and safety. 

Expanding production capacity
In 2012, we completed major expansion projects at 
several sites. We opened an expanded integrated 
corn seed plant at Mezo˝ túr in Hungary – now our 
largest European seed processing facility – as well 
as a corn processing plant in Indonesia, and began 
production of new E-Z REFUGE™ corn products 
at our enlarged facility in Nebraska, USA. To meet 
growing demand for new integrated solutions, we 
opened a new biofactory for sugar cane in Brazil 
and expanded TEGRA® rice capacity in India. 

Looking further ahead, design work is progressing 
for a new corn and sunflower processing plant 
in Argentina, and we have announced our intention 
to build an $ 85 million integrated hybrid seed and 
crop protection facility in Russia.

Our active ingredient (AI) production facilities 
responded well to the increase in demand, breaking 
several internal records. We were able to step up 
production of corn herbicides to meet higher 
demand stimulated by high crop prices. 

“Achieving our ambitious goal of  
$ 25 billion in sales rests on our 
ability not just to innovate but to do so 
at scale. Our world-class production 
and supply teams play a critical 
role in bringing innovation to our 
customers across the world in an 
efficient, safe and sustainable way.”
Mark Peacock  
Head Global Operations

Reducing procurement costs
We work closely with our key suppliers as business 
partners. While our focus over the past year has 
been on helping them to increase capacity, we 
have also been able to achieve significant cost 
savings both in raw materials – despite high 
feedstock prices – and in procurement of goods 
and services, where savings reached a record 
annual total of $ 100 million.

Our technology and engineering teams also helped 
to achieve significant economies through efficiency 
improvements. They beat our previous record for 
the fastest introduction of a new active ingredient, 
and successfully tested a new patented sorting 
technology for hybrid barley with potential to 
increase production output significantly. 
Multiple expansion projects were completed 
or progressed during the year, and we launched 
many new formulations.

We maximize our intellectual capital by sharing 
knowledge effectively. In 2012, we were again 
ranked among Europe’s eight Most Admired 
Knowledge Enterprises for sharing knowledge 
to increase stakeholder value.

39

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012In some markets, counterfeiting of our products 
presents hazards for users and the public, as well 
as commercial and reputational risks for Syngenta. 
In 2012, we increased our efforts to identify and 
combat this growing challenge.

We expect our key suppliers to meet the health, 
safety and environmental standards that we set for 
ourselves. Minimum requirements for all suppliers 
are included in all new contracts and contract 
renewals. We assess suppliers against our global 
minimum standards for health, safety and 
environment, as well as labor and human rights. 
In 2012, we conducted 109 assessments of our 
chemicals suppliers, using a refined and 
broadened methodology that now includes 
process risk assessment. 

In addition, we carried out 115 HSEQ assessments 
at warehouse and logistics service providers to 
ensure compliance with our standards. To audit our 
seeds suppliers, we use a methodology we jointly 
developed with the Fair Labor Association (FLA). 
Originally focused on India, we have expanded 
these audits to cover seeds suppliers in Eastern 
Europe and Latin America. In 2012, 17,625 suppliers 
were covered in the FLA Program. 

Seeds supply farms in the FLA Program
2010
2011
2012

11,886
16,880
17,625

  See detailed “Manufacturing and Procurement” 
performance data on page 61

The way we work
Building on our strengths continued

Our commitment 
to fair labor   
“I am pleased that my 
business was 100% 
compliant with the Syngenta 
standards at the FLA 
Program audit. It will help 
me to be fully compliant 
with local regulations.”

Marcos Lázaro (center) 
Farmer and Seed Supplier 
with Fernando Adorno (left) 
and Mateus Remor (right), 
Syngenta 
Unaí, Brazil

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

Responsible production and supply
We strive for industry-leading health, safety, 
environmental and quality (HSEQ) performance 
in our plants and supply chain, and see this as 
an essential aspect of market leadership.

We have a well-established program to identify 
and address process safety issues in our eight key 
active ingredient (AI) plants, and we audit a sample 
of all production sites each year to ensure HSEQ 
compliance, consistency and leadership. In 2012, 
we were pleased to win a prestigious UK 
Chemicals Industry Association Process Safety 
Leadership award for our Huddersfield AI plant, 
and a Houston’s Healthiest Employer Award for 
our Greens Bayou AI site in Texas.

We continue to invest in robust quality procedures, 
assessments and improvement processes. In 2012, 
we started the integration of our chemicals and 
seeds quality management systems, while 
maintaining our focus on codes of practice in 
critical areas such as those involving genetically 
modified material. 

During the year, we also conducted comprehensive 
security reviews and developed action plans at all 
Syngenta sites in high-risk countries. These paid 
particular attention to the security of our people 
and their families.

40

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
 
Environment

As an agricultural business, we aim to grow by 
helping farmers use less land, energy and water 
to produce more and better food. But, as with 
all manufacturing, we are dependent on natural 
resources for the production of seeds and 
chemicals. We aim to reduce our footprint 
throughout our operations. We actively manage 
our emissions and use of resources, and track 
and report on operational intensity.

Our production facilities worldwide use a robust 
environmental management system to monitor 
impacts and identify ways of reducing them. Local 
environmental laws and regulations vary widely, as 
does the level of enforcement. Our policy is to treat 
all local requirements as an absolute minimum. The 
standards we set for ourselves often greatly exceed 
those required locally as we strive for consistency 
across the organization. And we constantly raise 
the bar to meet society’s rising expectations. 

Resources in operations
Every year we work towards enhancing our 
environmental reporting by improving data quality 
and adding new relevant sites to the reporting 
scope. In 2012, Syngenta saw an increase in 
production activities across most sites, resulting in 
higher absolute environmental figures compared to 
2011. However, looking at the resource intensity – 
total use per dollar operating income ($EBIT) – 
we have again observed an overall improvement in 
our environmental performance. For example, our 
total energy consumption increased by 7 percent 
to 9,336 terajoules, but energy intensity in 
megajoules per $EBIT showed a decrease of 
4 percent. 

We set site-specific energy, waste-reduction, 
air emissions and water-use targets, so that each 
facility can focus on the initiatives that will achieve 
the greatest impact. 

At group level, we set a 40 percent carbon intensity 
reduction target, from 0.93 kilograms of CO2 
equivalents emissions per dollar of operational 
income (kg CO2e/$EBIT) in 2006 to 0.56 by 2012. 
The CO2e emissions intensity in 2012 was further 
reduced to 0.59 kg CO2e/$EBIT, translating to a 
37 percent reduction over the six-year period, just 
short of our target. The purpose of this target was 
to help us continuously reduce our carbon intensity, 
while managing significant growth in our 
production. We are proud of the progress we have 
made, and remain committed to reducing our 
carbon intensity in the future.

CO2e emissions intensity CO2e kg/$EBIT
2010
2011
2012

0.66
0.61
0.59

A considerable proportion of our carbon footprint 
comes from outside Syngenta’s operational control. 
We can make a big difference by working with 
suppliers to help them identify low carbon options – 
which can also deliver valuable cost benefits. 
Suppliers are increasingly willing to collaborate 
with us as they see the competitive and 
economic advantages. 

Our continuous effort to reduce our environmental 
footprint has led to a further reduction of our other 
air emissions to 0.52 gram per $EBIT in 2012 from 
0.63 in 2011.

Not only is water essential to growing crops, 
but it is also an important part of our production. 
Our operations use water for cooling, irrigation, 
processing and in product manufacturing. 
From the 33.8 million cubic meters of water used 
in 2012, more than half was used for cooling alone. 
Of this, more than 90 percent could be released 
back into rivers and lakes without the need for 
wastewater treatment. 

Over the past three years, we have steadily 
improved the quality and range of water usage data 
that we collect. In 2012, we focused our attention 
on improving data collection particularly on the 
withdrawal in areas where there is greatest 
pressure on supplies. 

41

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012The way we work
Building on our strengths continued

Responsible agriculture 
and product safe use

The safe and responsible use of our products is 
fundamental to our ambition of helping farmers 
to grow more food using less resources. 
Our stewardship covers responsible agriculture 
programs and safe handling and storage of 
our products. 

As farmers steward their land, so we steward 
our products – from discovery to eventual 
disposal. We aim to help growers intensify their 
production sustainably, and we manage our 
technology responsibly.

This starts with R&D, where we think holistically 
about new molecules and seed varieties – 
considering safety, environmental impact 
and regulatory concerns next to efficacy  
at the earliest practicable stage. 

Making products fit for the future
To make products fit for the future, we need to 
anticipate possible developments in regulations. 
The products that do best long term will be those 
that meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges – 
to protect their longevity, we must ensure their 
usage continues to meet regulatory standards.

Educating growers in safe use is part of this. 
But we can also design or formulate products to 
make them safer and easier to use. For example, 
by reformulating seed coatings, we have been able 
to generate less dust during production.

With the expansion of GM technology in corn, 
US farmers have been required to maintain refuge 
areas that are free of traits in order to prevent the 
build-up of insect resistance. Our new ‘refuge-in-a-
bag’ seed offer eliminates the need for these areas 
by mixing the requisite quantity of conventional 
seed in with the traited hybrids. This provides 
added convenience for the grower while ensuring 
good farming practice.

Our proactive approach includes our stewardship 
managers working together with product teams 
to assess their products’ fitness for the future and 
to address any issues in advance. That means 
making sure that sustainability is considered in 
their product strategy, taking into account not only 
the way products are used, but also areas such as 
resistance management or groundwater impacts.

Safe use training 
in China  
 “One of the main points 
of the training is to teach 
farmers how to use 
pesticides safely and 
in moderation.”

Han Weijun  
Agronomist 
yunnan Institute for the 
Control of Agrochemicals  
Kunming City, yunnan, 
China

 More online 
www.syngenta.com/ar2012

We actively manage waste on all our sites. In 2012, 
our wastewater effluent intensity continued to 
improve to 3.9 liters per $EBIT – a reduction of 
6 percent compared to 2011. Hazardous waste 
was reduced to 0.07 kg per $EBIT, which is 
a 17 percent reduction. The amount of non-
hazardous waste increased by 16 percent 
compared to the previous year. Most of this 
comes from an increase in recycled plant 
material. We increased the amount of non-
hazardous waste being recycled or re-used 
from 68 percent in 2011 to 73 percent in 2012. 

Earning external recognition
Several of our facilities received awards from local 
regulators and stakeholders. Our Karachi site won 
the ninth Environment Excellence Award from 
Pakistan’s independent, UN-affiliated National 
Forum for Environment & Health, and the Kunshan 
site in China received a $ 30,000 Green Production 
prize from the Kunshan Government for energy 
saving and waste management.

  For detailed “Environment” performance data 
see page 62

42

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
We also recognize how our own business is 
changing. For example, as our seed production 
sites increasingly carry out chemical treatments, 
we have redesigned training, equipment and 
working practices to meet chemical industry, 
rather than agricultural industry standards. 

Teaching people to use products safely
The health, safety and environmental impacts 
of our products are governed to a large extent 
by the way users mix and apply them. We teach 
the safe, efficient use and disposal of our products 
worldwide through over 90 programs, which 
involved 3 million people in 2012. We are committed 
to maintaining this level of training while monitoring 
and enhancing its effectiveness.

Number of people trained m
2010
2011
2012

3.2
2.9
3.0

To support the rapid growth in use of seed 
treatments, we are increasing the training of our 
sales teams who, in turn, train growers in safe use. 
We seek to measure the effectiveness of our 
programs. For example, in Kenya we are currently 
running a pilot study to assess farmers’ practices 
before and after training.

In the USA, we have been partnering with state 
and county administrations to support the delivery 
of publicly funded training programs affected by 
federal spending cuts. We have also been working 
to raise standards in the professional pest control 
industry – to which we are a major supplier – and to 
provide information for domestic pesticide users.

All chemicals should be handled with care, and 
personal protection equipment should be used 
to avoid harm. But, sometimes, the lack of caution 
or intended misuse can lead to adverse health 
incidents. Our toxicovigilance programs ensure 
that Syngenta has a robust and effective process 
for managing and reporting incidents of suspected 
poisoning. In 2012, 85 countries had a program 
in place, representing 92 percent of our crop 
protection sales.

“The long-term success of our 
company is based upon thriving 
rural communities and sustainable 
natural resources. Developing 
products to meet the challenges of 
the future and helping growers in the 
ongoing stewardship of their land is 
central to the way we do business.”
Michael Mack  
Chief Executive Officer

Increasing sustainability and profitability
Responsible practices can increase value as well 
as sustainability. Over the past two years, we have 
been working with Kenyan and Colombian rose 
producers to win better access to US and 
European markets by improving processes, 
gaining certification to various NGO and Fairtrade 
standards, and meeting value chain requirements. 
In Thailand, we have helped growers to become 
the first smallholders certified by the Round Table 
on Sustainable Palm Oil; and elsewhere we have 
run residue management programs that enable 
smallholders to export their products for the 
first time.

Training is not the only way to improve practices. 
In Europe, we have taken a lead in sustainable 
intensification by linking farms into the Interra 
best-practice demonstration network. These farms 
are centers of expertise that keep neighboring 
farmers aware and informed. The network 
continued to grow in 2012 – with the addition of 
farms in Morocco and Hungary – and attracted 
some 600 visitors including farmers, students 
and policy makers.

In Colombia, a best-practice demonstration 
scheme has attracted more than 8,400 potato 
growers. It has helped them to increase productivity 
by 25–30 percent while reducing soil loss by 
67 percent and water use by 25 percent. And 
crucially, average incomes have risen to $ 1,000 
a hectare. In 2012, we launched similar programs 
in Vietnam and the Philippines. 

  See detailed “Responsible agriculture” and “Product 
safe use” performance data on page 63

43

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012The way we work
Building on our strengths continued

Economic value shared

Syngenta generated revenues of $ 14.2 billion in 
2012. But the scale of our economic impact on 
society is considerably greater than this. In addition 
to our direct contribution to the global economy, 
we help millions of farmers in over 90 countries 
to improve their productivity, increase resource 
efficiency and earn a better living. Our products and 
support help them to create sustainable value and 
improve food security for many millions of people – 
see “Our contribution” on pages 10 to 15 for more 
on this.

The value we create benefits not only our 
shareholders. It also benefits the growers who 
work with us, our suppliers, our employees and 
the communities in which we invest.

Valuing our contribution
The nature of our work engages us deeply with 
communities around the world. Sharing knowledge, 
protecting the environment, promoting health and 
improving the quality of life are integral aspects of 
the way we work with them. 

“At the same time as higher 
revenues enable us to grow, the 
economic value is shared in the 
communities in which we operate. 
Our financial performance reflects 
our ability to offer products that 
create value for our customers 
while ensuring the viability of their 
farms for generations to come.”
John Ramsay  
Chief Financial Officer

We respond to concerns, contribute to local needs 
and try to develop long-term support for their 
prosperity. Our commitment to local communities 
is set out in the Syngenta Code of Conduct. 

The full benefit of this support cannot easily be 
valued in cash terms. What we can do is report 
a figure for the cost of our community investment 
each year. This is calculated by totaling the value 
of cash, in-kind contributions and staff time spent 
on sponsorships, donations and community 
engagement programs. In 2012, our total 
community investment was valued at $ 19 million.

Corporate community investment $m
2010
2011
2012

17
18
19

For example, one of our long-running initiatives is 
Cultivando Solidaridad (“Growing solidarity”) in 
Argentina. Launched by local Syngenta employees 
to support rural communities hit by the country’s 
2001 economic crisis, it is still one of our important 
employee volunteering programs. In the beginning, 
colleagues collected clothes, food and toys for 
hard-pressed families, and the scheme snowballed 
from there. Today, it focuses on schools, working 
with head teachers to improve children’s 
opportunities – for example, by developing 
vegetable gardens and supplying seeds so children 
can grow their own food. In 2012, Cultivando 
Solidaridad helped around 1,700 school children 
in 15 schools across 10 provinces. 

  See detailed “Economic value shared” performance 
data on page 64

Business integrity

Syngenta has a formal, coordinated process 
for actively identifying, mapping, monitoring and 
controlling risks of all kinds. This process is 
underpinned by something less formal and more 
passionate: a fundamental conviction that business 
integrity drives shareholder value. We believe that 
doing the right thing is vital to being a sustainably 
successful business. And we seek to instill that view 
in everyone who works with us, as an employee 
or a supplier.

We comply with all local, national and international 
laws, codes and conventions, and uphold the 
principles set out in the Universal Declaration 
of Human Rights and the International Labor 
Organization’s Core Conventions. 

44

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Our Code of Conduct sets out clear ethical, 
environmental and social responsibilities that we 
expect all employees to take personally to heart. 
And we have clear whistleblowing procedures that 
encourage employees to report any suspected 
breaches. We also monitor our suppliers’ 
compliance with our standards and external 
regulations on issues such as health and safety, the 
environment, fair labor practices and animal welfare.

A professional and holistic approach
In 2012, as part of the integration restructuring, 
we introduced a framework of Compliance and 
Risk Management Committees in all territories – 
mirroring the global governance structure with 
senior executive representation. The territory 
committees bring together top line managers such 
as Regional Directors with the leaders of Human 
Resources (HR), Finance, Legal, Syngenta 
Business Services, Production and Supply and 
Health, Safety and Environment, to ensure that 
we take a holistic view of compliance and risk.

Ultimate accountability for ethical and responsible 
business conduct rests with the line management 
of our businesses around the world. They are 
advised and supported by a team of compliance 
professionals. But our compliance model does not 
rely solely on top-down governance. We work hard 
to embed our Code of Conduct in our culture, so 
that doing the right thing is an instinctive part of our 
everyday behavior – a personal commitment from 
everyone, at every level.

We encourage employees to speak up and to 
report concerns directly to management, to our 
compliance functions including HR and Legal, 
or through our global, confidential compliance 
helpline. All concerns are followed up and 
investigated. In 2012, 58 cases were raised 
through the compliance helpline.

Compliance cases reported through 
the compliance helpline
2010
2011
2012

78
82
58

And when we make a multi-million dollar investment, 
such as the new $ 85 million Russian production 
facility we announced in September 2012, we put 
compliance thinking in place from the outset.

“Behaving in an ethical and 
responsible manner is the 
foundation of our corporate 
reputation. Our people around the 
world are committed to upholding 
Syngenta’s Code of Conduct, 
and this is a key component 
of our company’s culture.”
Christoph Mäder  
Head Legal and Taxes

For a project of this size, our approach covers 
a wide range of aspects including financial 
compliance, risk management, health and safety, 
environmental impacts, corporate responsibility, 
security and internal audit. Everyone working at 
the venture has been required to commit to our 
compliance framework, undertake personalized 
compliance training and earn certification from 
our compliance team. This is a precondition for 
employment on the project, for Syngenta and 
contractor employees alike. 

Winning hearts and minds
Compliance is essentially about individuals 
embracing our principles without exception, 
so the training is designed not just to instruct 
but also to win hearts and minds. Workshops 
are highly interactive, using role play to root the 
principles in real life and help people experience 
how compliance can protect and guide them 
personally in their work.

Worldwide, in 2012, a large proportion of our 
compliance work focused on the more stringent 
policies introduced in 2011 relating to anti-bribery, 
anti-fraud and gifts and entertainment. While these 
policies have been cascaded to all employees 
worldwide, our approach has been risk-based 
so that we focus the greatest attention on the jobs 
and territories that are potentially most exposed 
to corruption.

All senior managers and all employees judged 
to be at risk have received face-to-face training 
with an interactive approach similar to the Russian 
compliance training described above. As with all 
other aspects of compliance and risk management, 
we believe a personalized approach is important 
in delivering the essence of our policies. No formal 
system of rules and regulation can cover all 
eventualities. Our goal is to foster a culture in which 
ethical behavior is the guiding principle in all our 
dealings, whatever the circumstances.

  See detailed “Business integrity” performance data 
on page 64

45

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Biographies

Board of Directors

at December 31, 2012

Martin  
Taylor

Michael  
Mack

Jürg 
Witmer

Chairman of the Board, non-executive Director. 
Chairman of the Chairman’s Committee and 
the Corporate Responsibility Committee, and 
member of the Compensation Committee. He 
is also Chairman of the Syngenta Foundation 
for Sustainable Agriculture 
Born: 1952. Nationality: British.  
Appointed: 2000. Term of office: 2013.
Martin Taylor will retire from his functions at 
Syngenta at the 2013 AGM for having reached 
the statutory limit of 12 years of office. He will be 
succeeded as Chairman of the Board of Syngenta 
by Michel Demaré, currently non-executive Director 
of the Board. 
Martin Taylor is currently Vice Chairman of RTL 
Group SA. Previously he was an Advisor to 
Goldman Sachs International (1999–2005), 
Chairman of WHSmith plc (1999–2003), and 
Chief Executive Officer of Barclays plc (1993–1998) 
and Courtaulds Textiles (1990–1993). He recently 
served as a member of the British Government’s 
Independent Banking Commission. 
Martin Taylor has a degree in oriental languages 
from Oxford University.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), executive 
Director. Member of the Chairman’s 
Committee and the Corporate 
Responsibility Committee 
Born: 1960. Nationality: American.  
Appointed: 2008. Term of office: 2013.
Michael Mack was Chief Operating Officer of Seeds 
(2004–2007) and Head of Crop Protection, NAFTA 
Region (2002–2004) for Syngenta. Prior to this, 
he was President of the Global Paper Division of 
Imerys SA, a French mining and pigments concern, 
from the time of its merger in 1999 with English 
China Clays Ltd., where he was Executive Vice 
President, Americas and Pacific Region, in addition 
to being an Executive Director of the Board. 
From 1987 to 1996 he held various roles with 
Mead Corporation. Michael Mack was Chairman 
and President of the Board of the Swiss-American 
Chamber of Commerce from 2009 to 2012. 
Michael Mack has a degree in economics from 
Kalamazoo College in Michigan, studied at the 
University of Strasbourg, and has an MBA from 
Harvard University.

Vice Chairman, non-executive Director. 
Member of the Chairman’s Committee 
and of the Compensation Committee
Born: 1948. Nationality: Swiss.  
Appointed: 2006. Term of office: 2015.
Jürg Witmer is currently Chairman of Givaudan 
SA and a Director of Zuellig Group Hong Kong. 
Until March 2012, he was also Chairman of 
Clariant AG. He joined Roche (1978) in the legal 
department and subsequently held a number of 
positions including Assistant to the CEO, General 
Manager and China Project Manager of Roche 
Far East based in Hong Kong, Head of Corporate 
Communications and Public Affairs at Roche 
headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and General 
Manager of Roche Austria. Thereafter he became 
Chief Executive Officer of Givaudan Roure (1999) 
and then Chairman of the Board of Directors 
of Givaudan (2005). 
Jürg Witmer has a doctorate in law from the 
University of Zurich, as well as a degree in 
international studies from the University of Geneva. 

Vinita  
Bali

Stefan  
Borgas

Gunnar  
Brock

Non-executive Director. Member of the 
Audit Committee
Born: 1964. Nationality: German.  
Appointed: 2009. Term of office: 2015.
Stefan Borgas is President and Chief Executive 
Officer of Israel’s ICL Group since September 2012. 
Prior to this he was CEO of Lonza Group from June 
2004 to January 2012 after having spent 14 years 
with BASF Group where he held various leadership 
positions in Fine Chemicals and Engineering 
Plastics in the USA, Germany, Ireland and China. 
Stefan Borgas is also a member of the Board of the 
Swiss Management Gesellschaft (SMG).
Stefan Borgas holds a degree in Business 
Administration from the University of Saarbrücken 
and an MBA from the University of St. Gallen.

Non-executive Director. Member of the 
Audit Committee
Born: 1950. Nationality: Swedish.  
Appointed: 2012. Term of office: 2014.
Gunnar Brock is Chairman of Stora Enso, 
Mölnlycke Health Care and Rolling Optics 
and a member of the Board of Investor AB, 
Total SA and Stena AB. He worked for the Tetra 
Pak Group for many years, with spells in Asia, 
Australia and Europe, returning – after a period 
as President and Chief Executive Officer of 
Alfa Laval – to become President and Chief 
Executive Officer of the Tetra Pak Group, 
headquartered in Switzerland. From 2002 to 
2009 he served as President and Chief Executive 
Officer of the Atlas Copco Group. 
Gunnar Brock holds an MBA from the Stockholm 
School of Economics.

Non-executive Director. Member of the 
Corporate Responsibility Committee
Born: 1955. Nationality: Indian.  
Appointed: 2012. Term of office: 2014.
Vinita Bali has been Managing Director and Chief 
Executive Officer of Britannia Industries, India’s 
public listed premier food company, since 2005. 
She also serves as a Director on the boards of 
Titan Industries, Piramal Glass, the Wadia Group 
Companies and GAIN (Global Alliance for 
Improved Nutrition).
She started her career in India with the Tata Group, 
and then joined Cadbury India, subsequently 
working for Cadbury in the UK, Nigeria and South 
Africa. From 1994 onwards she held a number 
of senior positions in marketing and general 
management at The Coca-Cola Company in 
the USA and Latin America, becoming Head of 
Corporate Strategy in 2001, and then joined the 
Zyman Group as Head of its Business Strategy 
practice in the USA in 2003.
Vinita Bali holds an MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj 
Institute of Management, and a Bachelor degree 
from the University of Delhi. 

46

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Peggy  
Bruzelius

Michel  
Demaré

David 
Lawrence

Non-executive Director. Chairman of the 
Audit Committee 
Born: 1949. Nationality: Swedish.  
Appointed: 2000. Term of office: 2013.
Peggy Bruzelius is currently Chairman of Lancelot 
Holding AB. In addition she serves as a Director 
of Akzo Nobel NV, Axfood AB, Diageo plc and 
Skandia Mutual Life Insurance AB. Peggy Bruzelius 
is a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of 
Engineering Sciences. Previously she was Vice 
Chairman of Electrolux AB (1996–2012), a Director 
of Husqvarna AB (2006–2012), Executive Vice 
President of SEB-bank (1997–1998) and Chief 
Executive Officer of ABB Financial Services 
(1991–1997). 
Peggy Bruzelius holds a Master of Science from the 
Stockholm School of Economics and an Honorary 
Doctorate from the same university.

Non-executive Director. Member of the 
Chairman’s Committee and of the 
Compensation Committee
Born: 1956. Nationality: Belgian.  
Appointed: 2012. Term of office: 2014.
Michel Demaré has handed in his resignation as 
CFO and Executive Vice President of ABB effective 
February 1, 2013, in order to focus on his Board 
responsibilities. He will succeed Martin Taylor as 
Chairman of the Board of Syngenta as of the 
2013 Annual General Meeting. 
Michel Demaré has been Chief Financial Officer of 
ABB since 2005, serving in addition, between late 
2008 and March 2011, as the company’s President 
of Global Markets. Between February and 
September 2008 he was ABB’s acting Chief 
Executive Officer. Previously he had been Chief 
Financial Officer Europe for Baxter International Inc. 
He joined Baxter in 2002 after 18 years in the Dow 
Chemical Company, where he held various treasury 
and business Chief Financial Officer positions in 
Europe (including Switzerland) and the US. He is 
Vice Chairman of the Board of UBS, a member of 
the Board Committee of SwissHoldings and a 
member of the IMD Foundation Board in Lausanne. 
Michel Demaré has an MBA from the Katholieke 
Universiteit at Leuven.

Non-executive Director. Member of the 
Corporate Responsibility Committee and 
Chairman of the Science and Technology 
Advisory Board
Born: 1949. Nationality: British.  
Appointed: 2009. Term of office: 2015.
David Lawrence was Head Research & 
Development at Syngenta from September 1, 2002 
until the end of September, 2008. Prior to this role, 
David Lawrence was Head Research & Technology 
Projects (2000–2002) for Syngenta. Prior to this, 
he was Head International R&D Projects for 
Zeneca Agrochemicals, having previously held 
several senior scientific roles. He was a member 
of the UK Foresight Lead Expert Group on Food 
and Farming. Currently he is a member of the 
BBSRC Council and of the UK Industrial 
Biotechnology Leadership Team. He is also 
a Board member for Rothamsted Research, 
Chairman of the UK Biosciences Knowledge 
Transfer Network Board, and a member of the 
World Economic Forum Biotechnology Council. 
David Lawrence graduated in chemistry from 
Oxford University with an MA and DPhil in 
chemical pharmacology.

Peter  
Thompson

Jacques  
Vincent

Felix A.  
Weber

Non-executive Director. Member of the 
Audit Committee
Born: 1946. Nationality: American.  
Appointed: 2000. Term of office: 2013.
Peter Thompson is currently a Director of 
Sodexo SA. Previously he was President and 
Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Beverages 
International (1996–2004), President of PepsiCo 
Foods International’s Europe, Middle East 
and Africa Division (1995–1996) and of Walkers 
Snack Foods in the UK (1994–1995). Before joining 
PepsiCo he held various senior management roles 
with Grand Metropolitan plc, including President 
and Chief Executive Officer of GrandMet Foods 
Europe (1992–1994), Vice Chairman of The Pillsbury 
Company (1990–1992), and President and Chief 
Executive Officer of The Paddington Corporation 
(1984–1990). He is also Chairman of the Vero 
Beach Museum of Art. 
Peter Thompson has a degree in modern 
languages from Oxford University and an MBA 
from Columbia University.

Non-executive Director. Member of the 
Compensation Committee
Born: 1946. Nationality: French.  
Appointed: 2005. Term of office: 2013.
Jacques Vincent has been Vice Chairman and 
Chief Operating Officer of the Danone Group, 
Paris, from 1998 until 2008. Since 2010 he has 
been sitting on the board of various companies, 
among them Danone, Cereplast and 
Mediaperformance. He began his career with 
Danone in 1970 and has since held various financial 
and overall management positions within this group. 
Jacques Vincent is a graduate engineer of the Ecole 
Centrale, Paris. He holds a Bachelor in Economics 
from Paris University and a Master of Science from 
Stanford University.

Non-executive Director. Chairman of the 
Compensation Committee
Born: 1950. Nationality: Swiss.  
Appointed: 2000. Term of office: 2013.
Felix A. Weber is currently Executive Committee 
Co-Chairman of Nomura Switzerland, a Managing 
Director of Nomura International Ltd. and Chairman 
of Nomura Insurance Holdings AG. Previously, 
he was a Director of Publigroupe (2005–2009), 
a Director of Valora (2006–2008), a Director of 
Glacier Holdings GP SA and Glacier Holdings 
S.C.A (former parent entities of Cablecom GmbH) 
(2003–2005), a Director of Cablecom GmbH 
(2004–2005), Managing Director of Lehman 
Brothers Ltd. (2006–2008), Executive Vice 
President and Chief Financial Officer of Adecco 
SA (1998–2004), Associate Project Manager and 
Principal of McKinsey & Company in Zurich 
(1989–1997), and Chief Executive Officer of 
Alusuisse South Africa (1982–1984). 
Felix A. Weber graduated from the University 
of St. Gallen with an MBA in operations research 
and finance and a PhD in marketing.

47

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Biographies

Executive Committee

at December 31, 2012

Michael  
Michael  
Mack
Mack

John  
Atkin

Robert 
Robert 
Berendes
Berendes

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), executive 
Director. Member of the Chairman’s 
Committee and the Corporate 
Responsibility Committee 
Born: 1960. Nationality: American.  
Appointed: 2008. Term of office: 2013.
Michael Mack was Chief Operating Officer 
of Seeds (2004–2007) and Head of Crop 
Protection, NAFTA Region (2002–2004) for 
Syngenta. Prior to this, he was President of the 
Global Paper Division of Imerys SA, a French 
mining and pigments concern, from the time of 
its merger in 1999 with English China Clays Ltd., 
where he was Executive Vice President, 
Americas and Pacific Region, in addition to being 
an Executive Director of the Board. From 1987 
to 1996 he held various roles with Mead 
Corporation. Michael Mack was Chairman and 
President of the Board of the Swiss-American 
Chamber of Commerce from 2009 to 2012. 
Michael Mack has a degree in economics from 
Kalamazoo College in Michigan, studied at the 
University of Strasbourg, and has an MBA 
from Harvard University.

Chief Operating Officer
Born: 1953. Nationality: British.  
Appointed: 2000.
Prior to his current role as Chief Operating 
Officer Syngenta, John Atkin was Chief 
Operating Officer for Syngenta Crop Protection, 
from the foundation of the Company in 2000 
until February 2011. Before that, he was Chief 
Executive Officer (1999–2000), Chief Operating 
Officer (1999), Head of Product Portfolio 
Management (1998), and Head of Insecticides 
and Patron for Asia (1997–1998) of Novartis 
Crop Protection. Prior to 1998, he was General 
Manager of Sandoz Agro France (1995–1997) 
and Head of Sandoz Agro Northern Europe 
(1993–1995). In 2008 he was appointed Visiting 
Professor at the Institute for Research 
on Environment and Sustainability (IRES) at the 
University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He was 
appointed as a non-executive Director of 
Driscoll’s in 2011.
He graduated from the University of Newcastle 
upon Tyne with a PhD and a BSc degree in 
agricultural zoology. 

Head Business Development
Born: 1965. Nationality: German.  
Appointed: 2007.
In addition to his responsibilities, Robert 
Berendes assumed ad interim leadership 
for Syngenta’s Research & Development on 
October 22, 2012, until a successor is appointed.
Robert Berendes was Head of Diverse Field 
Crops (2005–2006) and Head of Strategy, 
Planning and M&A (2002–2005) for Syngenta. 
Prior to this, he was a partner and co-leader 
of the European chemical practice at McKinsey 
& Company. 
He graduated from the University of Cologne 
with a diploma in chemistry and has a PhD in 
biophysics from the Max-Planck-Institute for 
Biochemistry/Technical University of Munich.

Caroline 
Caroline 
Luscombe
Luscombe

Christoph 
Mäder

Mark  
Mark  
Peacock
Peacock

Head Legal & Taxes and Company Secretary 
Born: 1959. Nationality: Swiss.  
Appointed: 2000.
Christoph Mäder was Head of Legal & Public 
Affairs for Novartis Crop Protection (1999–2000) 
and Senior Corporate Counsel for Novartis 
International AG (1992–1998). He is 
Chairman of scienceindustries, the association 
of Swiss chemical, pharmaceutical and biotech 
industries. He is also a Vice Chairman of 
economiesuisse, the main umbrella organization 
representing Swiss economy, and a member 
of the Executive Board of the Business and 
Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the 
Organization for Economic Co-operation 
and Development (OECD). 
He graduated from Basel University Law School, 
and is admitted to the Bar in Switzerland. 

Head Global Operations
Born: 1961. Nationality: British.  
Appointed: 2007.
Mark Peacock was previously Head of Global 
Supply (2003–2006) and Regional Supply 
Manager for Asia Pacific (2000–2003) for 
Syngenta. Prior to this he was a Product 
Manager in Zeneca Agrochemicals and General 
Manager of the Electrophotography Business 
in Zeneca Specialties. 
He has a degree in chemical engineering from 
Imperial College, London, and a Masters in 
international management from McGill University 
in Montreal. 

Head Human Resources
Born: 1960. Nationality: British.  
Appointed: 2012.
Caroline Luscombe joined Syngenta as Head 
Human Resources in January 2010. Prior to this, 
she held several senior human resources (HR) 
roles in the GE Group, namely Head HR 
for GE Capital Global Banking (2009), HR 
Leader for GE Money and GE Money EMEA 
(2006–2008), HR Leader for GE Healthcare Bio-
Sciences (2004–2006) and, before its acquisition 
by GE, Executive Vice President HR for Medical 
Diagnostics, Amersham plc (2001–2004). From 
1997 to 2001, she worked in the chemical sector 
for Laporte plc and was promoted to Head of HR 
in 2000. She also held senior HR roles in Rhone-
Poulenc Rorer (formerly Fisons plc, 1995–1996) 
and Tiphook plc (1989–1995). She started her 
career in finance at Arthur young McClelland 
Moore and was UK controller and Compensation 
and Benefits manager for the strategy 
consultants Bain & Company (1983–1989).
She holds a bachelor’s degree in German from 
University College, London.

48

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012In memory of Alejandro Aruffo
1959 – 2013
We were deeply saddened by the loss of 
Dr. Alejandro Aruffo, Head Research & 
Development and a member of the 
Syngenta Executive Committee.
Having completed his studies at the 
University of Washington and Harvard, 
Dr. Aruffo pursued a highly successful 
career in pharmaceutical research at  
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Abbott. 
On joining Syngenta in 2008, Dr. Aruffo 
assumed global responsibility for the 
company’s combined chemical and 
biological research and development. 
With his broad leadership experience 
and advanced analytical and strategic 
capabilities, he made an enduring 
contribution to strengthening innovation 
at Syngenta. 
The Board, the Executive Committee and 
employees owe a lasting debt of gratitude 
to Dr. Aruffo. We have lost a remarkable 
personality and a good friend. 
We honor the memory of Dr. Aruffo, and our 
heartfelt sympathy goes to his wife Linda 
and his two children.

Chief Operating Officer
Born: 1958. Nationality: British.  
Appointed: 2008.
Prior to his current role as Chief Operating 
Officer Syngenta, Davor Pisk was Chief 
Operating Officer for Syngenta Seeds from 2008 
to February 2011. Prior to that, he was Region 
Head Crop Protection Asia Pacific (2003–2007) 
for Syngenta and Region Head Asia for Zeneca 
Agrochemicals (1998–2001). Prior to 1998, he 
was head of Herbicides for Zeneca (1993–1997) 
and General Manager of ICI Czechoslovakia 
(1991–1993).
He has a BA in Economics and Politics from 
Exeter University, UK and an MA in Political 
Science from the University of California, USA. 

John  
John  
Ramsay
Ramsay

Chief Financial Officer
Born: 1957. Nationality: British.  
Appointed: 2007.
John Ramsay was Group Financial Controller 
(2000–2007) for Syngenta. Prior to that, he was 
Zeneca Agrochemicals Finance Head Asia 
Pacific (1994–1999), Financial Controller ICI 
Malaysia (1990–1993), and ICI Plant Protection 
Regional Controller Latin America (1987–1990). 
Before joining ICI in 1984, he worked in Audit and 
Tax at KPMG. 
He is a Chartered Accountant and also holds an 
honors degree in Accounting.

49

Davor  PiskDavor  PiskSyngentaAnnual Review 2012Performance data

Product line performance

Crop Protection

Selective herbicides 
Major brands: AXIAL®, CALLISTO® family, DUAL®/BICEP® 
MAGNUM, FUSILADE®MAX, TOPIK®

AXIAL® on cereals registered double digit growth in all regions. 
The largest contribution came from Canada, where increased 
acreage coincided with low channel inventories at the start of 
the year. In corn, the CALLISTO® family and DUAL®/BICEP grew 
strongly in the USA driven by their success in managing resistant 
weeds as well as high corn prices. Adoption of both products 
on sugar cane in Brazil, where they form part of integrated 
agronomic protocols, is accelerating rapidly. 

Non-selective herbicides
Major brands: GRAMOXONE®, TOUCHDOWN®

GRAMOXONE® showed good growth in Latin America and the 
USA, where it was used as an alternative to glyphosate in areas 
of weed resistance. Sales in the developed markets of Asia Pacific 
were lower, partly due to non-renewal of the registration in 
South Korea. TOUCHDOWN® sales grew strongly, notably in 
the Americas, reflecting a high level of demand on corn and 
soybean and a shortage of generic supply. 

Fungicides
Major brands: ALTO®, AMISTAR®, BRAVO®, REVUS®, RIDOMIL 
GOLD®, SCORE®, TILT®, UNIX® 

Fungicide sales progressed despite drought in Latin America 
in the first quarter and in the USA throughout the summer. 
The largest product, AMISTAR®, continues to expand: volume 
growth was driven by our offer comprising multiple mixtures 
and formulations adapted by crop and geography, and pricing 
remained robust. Sales of REVUS® for vegetables, vines and 
potatoes were up by 25 percent 1 in Europe, its main market. 
In November, the European Union granted full approval for 
isopyrazam, which will represent a major step forward in the 
control of a wide variety of damaging fungal diseases.

Insecticides
Major brands: ACTARA®, DURIVO®, FORCE®, KARATE®, 
PROCLAIM®, VERTIMEC®

Excluding the impact of range rationalization, sales were up 
10 percent,1 led by the Americas. In the USA, a mild winter and 
dry weather throughout the corn belt created heavy early insect 
pressure. In addition, grower awareness of corn rootworm 
resistance and of the benefits of soil-based insecticides 
increased, with North American sales of FORCE® more than 
doubling as a result. Latin American growth was driven by 
technology adoption, with the strongest contributions coming 
from ACTARA® and DURIVO®.

Seed care
Major brands: AVICTA®, CRUISER®, DIVIDEND®, CELEST®/
MAXIM®, VIBRANCE®

Global growth was led by CRUISER® and CELEST®/MAXIM®. 
Ongoing technology adoption drove a particularly strong 
performance in the emerging markets, where sales were up 
by over 20 percent.1 In Latin America, the nematicide AVICTA® 
also showed strong growth. VIBRANCE®, a new compound that 
delivers enhanced root health as well as controlling a wide range 
of diseases, was successfully launched in North America.

Seeds

Corn and soybean
Major brands: AGRISURE®, GARST®, GOLDEN HARVEST®, NK®

Sales were up strongly in all regions driven by corn worldwide 
and by soybean in Latin America. North American sales were 
augmented by additional corn trait royalty income of around 
$ 200 million received in the first half; excluding this amount, 
global corn sales were up 15 percent, with a positive customer 
response to our broad technology offer. In Latin America, corn 
growth was driven by the expansion of the second season in 
Brazil, where sales were up by more than 30 percent helped 
by the launch of new trait combinations. Increases in soybean 
acreage for the 2012/13 season have been accompanied 
by strong demand for our leading varieties such as V-Max. 
The integrated PLENUS® offer is growing well in Argentina 
where it now accounts for around three-quarters of the portfolio.

Diverse field crops
Major brands: NK® oilseeds, HILLESHÖG® sugar beet

Growth was led by sunflower in Eastern Europe where we are 
capturing value from the expansion of our leading conventional 
and high oleic hybrids. In North America, growth in sunflower 
and  cereals more than offset the disposal of the sorghum 
business. Hybrid barley is starting to make a significant 
contribution in major Western European countries, alongside 
growth in the existing wheat business.

Vegetables
Major brands: DULCINEA®, ROGERS®, S&G® 

There was an upturn in the fourth quarter that offset the earlier 
impact of a difficult economic environment. In North America, 
the processing market has recovered from a period of 
oversupply, and fresh produce sales are benefiting from strong 
demand for miniature watermelons. In Mexico and Iberia, 
Zeraim’s leading tomato and pepper varieties are driving sales.

1  At constant exchange rates

50

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Crop Protection sales1

Selective herbicides
$m  

2010
2011
2012

Non-selective herbicides
$m  

2,308
2,617
2,939

2010
2011
2012

Fungicides
$m  

2010
2011
2012

Seed care
$m  

2010
2011
2012

Seeds sales

Corn and soybean
$m  

2010
2011
2012

Vegetables
$m  

2010
2011
2012

Insecticides
$m  

2,662
2,998
3,044

2010
2011
2012

838
1,018
1,107

Diverse field crops
$m  

1,292
1,471
1,836

2010
2011
2012

663
703
682

1  Includes sales of Crop Protection products to Seeds and excludes non-product line sales

987
1,117
1,246

1,475
1,790
1,841

524
676
719

51

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Performance data

Financial information

A summary of Syngenta’s consolidated financial statements is provided on pages 52 to 59. For full details and analysis of the Group’s 
audited financial results, prepared in accordance with IFRS, please refer to our comprehensive Financial Report 2012, which is 
available on request or on our website www.syngenta.com/ar2012

References to EBITDA in the following financial information excludes the impact of restructuring, impairment and discontinued operations.1 

Summarized financial information 2012 and 2011

Excluding restructuring
and impairment1

Restructuring  
and impairment

As reported under IFRS

year ended December 31 ($ m, except per share amounts)
Sales
Gross profit
Marketing and distribution
Research and development
General and administrative
Operating income
Income before taxes
Income tax expense
Net income
Attributable to non-controlling interests
Attributable to Syngenta AG shareholders:
Earnings/(loss) per share ($)2

Basic
Diluted

Gross profit margin excluding restructuring and impairment
EBITDA4
EBITDA margin
Tax rate on results excluding restructuring and impairment
Free cash flow 5
Trade working capital to sales6
Debt/Equity gearing 7
Net debt 7
Cash flow return on investment 8

2012
–
(7)
–
–
(258)
(265)
(265)
83
(182)
–
(182)

(1.98)
(1.98)

2012
 CER3
49.3%

23.2%

2012
14,202
6,991
(2,418)
(1,253)
(763)
2,557
2,417
(360)
2,057
(3)
2,054

22.41
22.30

2012
49.2%
3,150
22.2%
15%
270
32%
20%
1,706
15%

2011
13,268
6,496
(2,387)
(1,191)
(622)
2,296
2,146
(356)
1,790
(1)
1,789

19.47
19.36

2011
49.0%
2,905
21.9%
17%
1,537
30%
15%
1,135
14%

2011
–
(14)
–
–
(231)
(245)
(245)
55
(190)
–
(190)

2012
14,202
6,984
(2,418)
(1,253)
(1,021)
2,292
2,152
(277)
1,875
(3)
1,872

(2.07)
(2.05)

20.43
20.32

2011
13,268
6,482
(2,387)
(1,191)
(853)
2,051
1,901
(301)
1,600
(1)
1,599

17.40
17.31

1  For further discussion of restructuring and impairment charges, see page 58. Net income and earnings per share excluding restructuring and impairment are provided as additional 

information and not as an alternative to net income and earnings per share determined in accordance with IFRS

2  The weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue used to calculate the earnings per share were as follows: For 2012 basic EPS 91,644,190 and diluted 92,132,922; for 2011 basic 

EPS 91,892,275 and diluted 92,383,611 

3 For a description of CER, see page 58
4 EBITDA is defined on page 58
5 For a description of free cash flow, see page 58
6 Period end trade working capital as a percentage of twelve-month sales
7 For a description of net debt and the calculation of debt/equity gearing, see page 58
8 For a description of the cash flow return on investment calculation, see page 58

52

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Full year sales

year ended December 31
Group sales
Europe, Africa and Middle East
North America
Latin America
Asia Pacific
Total regional sales
Lawn and Garden1
Group sales

Crop Protection by region
Europe, Africa and Middle East
North America
Latin America
Asia Pacific
Total

Seeds by region
Europe, Africa and Middle East
North America
Latin America
Asia Pacific
Total

Sales by business
Crop Protection
Seeds
Elimination of Crop Protection sales to Seeds
Total regional sales
Lawn and Garden1
Group sales

1 Includes product lines Professional Products and Flowers. Professional Products were formerly reported under Crop Protection and Flowers under Seeds

Full year product line sales

year ended December 31
Selective herbicides
Non-selective herbicides
Fungicides
Insecticides
Seed care
Other crop protection
Total Crop Protection
Corn and soybean
Diverse field crops
Vegetables
Total Seeds
Elimination of Crop Protection sales to Seeds
Lawn and Garden1
Group sales

2012 
$m
2,939
1,246
3,044
1,841
1,107
141
10,318
1,836
719
682
3,237
(110)
757
14,202

2011 
$m
2,617
1,117
2,998
1,790
1,018
137
9,677
1,471
676
703
2,850
(80)
821
13,268

1 Includes product lines Professional Products and Flowers. Professional Products were formerly reported under Crop Protection and Flowers under Seeds

2012 
$m

2011 
$m

Actual 
%

CER 
%

3,974
3,931
3,713
1,827
13,445
757
14,202

2,910
2,577
3,261
1,570
10,318

1,101
1,398
479
259
3,237

10,318
3,237
(110)
13,445
757
14,202

3,982
3,273
3,305
1,887
12,447
821
13,268

2,958
2,158
2,907
1,654
9,677

1,063
1,142
409
236
2,850

9,677
2,850
(80)
12,447
821
13,268

–
+20
+12
-3
+8
-8
+7

-2
+19
+12
-5
+7

+4
+22
+17
+10
+14

+7
+14
n/a
+8
-8
+7

Actual 
%
+12
+12
+2
+3
+9
+2
+7
+25
+6
-3
+14
n/a
-8
+7

+6
+21
+13
–
+11
-6
+10

+5
+20
+13
-2
+9

+10
+22
+18
+16
+16

+9
+16
n/a
+11
-6
+10

CER
%
+15
+14
+4
+6
+12
+5
+9
+26
+11
+1
+16
n/a
-6
+10

53

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
 
 
2012
14,202
(7,218)
6,984
(2,418)
(1,253)

(233)
(25)
(763)
2,292
7
(147)
2,152
(277)
1,875

1,872
3
1,875

20.43
20.32

2011
13,268
(6,786)
6,482
(2,387)
(1,191)

(307)
76
(622)
2,051
15
(165)
1,901
(301)
1,600

1,599
1
1,600

17.40
17.31

91,644,190 91,892,275
92,132,922 92,383,611

Performance data
Financial information continued

Condensed consolidated income statement

year ended December 31 ($ m, except share and per share amounts)
Sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Marketing and distribution
Research and development
General and administrative:

Restructuring
Divestment gains/(losses)
Other general and administrative

Operating income
Income from associates and joint ventures
Financial expenses, net
Income before taxes
Income tax expense
Net income
Attributable to:

Syngenta AG shareholders
Non-controlling interests

Net income
Earnings per share ($):

Basic
Diluted

Weighted average number of shares:

Basic
Diluted

All activities were in respect of continuing operations.

54

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Restructuring and impairment before taxes

year ended December 31 ($ m)
Operational efficiency programs:

Cash costs
Non-cash impairment costs
Integrated crop strategy programs:

Cash costs

Acquisition and related integration costs:

Cash costs
Non-cash items
  Reversal of inventory step-ups
  Reacquired rights
  Divestment losses/(gains)
  Bargain purchase gains

Other non-cash restructuring and impairment:

Non-current asset impairments

Total restructuring and impairment before taxes 1

1 $ 7 million (2011: $ 14 million) is included within Cost of goods sold

2012

2011

55
2

102

18

7
14
25
–

42
265

98
3

149

14

14
14
(76)
(10)

39
245

55

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Performance data
Financial information continued

Condensed consolidated balance sheet

At December 31 ($ m)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade receivables
Other accounts receivable
Inventories
Derivative and other financial assets
Other current assets
Total current assets
Non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Deferred tax assets
Financial and other non-current assets
Total non-current assets
Total assets
Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable
Current financial debt and other financial liabilities
Income taxes payable
Other current liabilities
Provisions
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities:
Financial debt and other non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Equity:
Shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity

56

2012

2011

1,599
3,191
932
4,734
251
257
10,964

3,193
3,501
1,075
668
8,437
19,401

(3,409)
(1,048)
(574)
(1,160)
(236)
(6,427)

(2,514)
(863)
(841)
(4,218)
(10,645)

(8,745)
(11)
(8,756)
(19,401)

1,666
2,736
690
4,190
269
199
9,750

3,025
2,869
930
667
7,491
17,241

(2,881)
(955)
(547)
(1,028)
(232)
(5,643)

(2,374)
(753)
(968)
(4,095)
(9,738)

(7,494)
(9)
(7,503)
(17,241)

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Condensed consolidated cash flow statement

year ended December 31 ($ m)
Income before taxes
Reversal of non-cash items
Cash (paid)/received in respect of:

Interest and other financial receipts 
Interest and other financial payments
Income taxes
Restructuring costs
Contributions to pension plans, excluding restructuring costs
Other provisions

Cash flow before change in net working capital
Change in net working capital: 

Change in inventories
Change in trade and other working capital assets
Change in trade and other working capital liabilities

Cash flow from operating activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
Purchases of intangible assets
Purchases of investments in associates and other financial assets
Proceeds from disposals of intangible and financial assets
Cash flow from (purchases)/disposals of marketable securities, net
Acquisitions and divestments, net
Cash flow used for investing activities
Increases in third party interest-bearing debt
Repayments of third party interest-bearing debt
(Purchases)/sales of treasury shares and options over own shares, net
Distributions paid to shareholders
Cash flow used for financing activities
Net effect of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

Free cash flow

year ended December 31 ($ m)
Cash flow from operating activities
Cash flow used for investing activities
Cash flow from marketable securities
Cash flow used for acquisitions of non-controlling interests
Cash flow used for/(from) foreign exchange movements and settlement of hedges of inter-company loans
Free cash flow

2012
2,152
984

197
(422)
(378)
(55)
(78)
(182)
2,218

(555)
(814)
510
1,359
(508)
30
(112)
(59)
21
(8)
(582)
(1,218)
1,256
(721)
24
(791)
(232)
24
(67)
1,666
1,599

2012
1,359
(1,218)
8
–
121
270

2011
1,901
801

312
(426)
(282)
(71)
(198)
(116)
1,921

(478)
(120)
548
1,871
(479)
20
(62)
(34)
22
11
50
(472)
305
(906)
(377)
(706)
(1,684)
(16)
(301)
1,967
1,666

2011
1,871
(472)
(11)
–
149
1,537

57

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Performance data
Financial information continued

Constant exchange rates (CER)
Results in this report from one period to another period are, 
where appropriate, compared using constant exchange rates 
(CER). To present that information, current period results for 
entities reporting in currencies other than US dollars are 
converted into US dollars at the prior period’s exchange rates, 
rather than at the exchange rates for the current year. CER 
margin percentages for gross profit and EBITDA are calculated 
by the ratio of these measures to sales after restating the 
measures and sales at prior period exchange rates. The CER 
presentation indicates the underlying business performance 
before taking into account currency exchange fluctuations.

EBITDA
EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, tax, minority 
interests, depreciation, amortization, restructuring and 
impairment. Information concerning EBITDA has been included 
as it is used by management and by investors as a 
supplementary measure of operating performance. 
Management excludes restructuring from EBITDA in order to 
focus on results excluding items affecting comparability from 
one period to the next. EBITDA is not a measure of cash liquidity 
or financial performance under generally accepted accounting 
principles and the EBITDA measures used by Syngenta may 
not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other 
companies. EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative 
to operating income or cash flow as determined in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles.

Restructuring and impairment before taxes
Restructuring represents the effect on reported performance 
of initiating and enabling business changes that are considered 
major and that, in the opinion of management, will have a 
material effect on the nature and focus of Syngenta’s operations, 
and therefore require separate disclosure to provide a more 
thorough understanding of business performance. Restructuring 
includes the incremental costs of closing, restructuring or 
relocating existing operations, and gains or losses from related 
asset disposals. Restructuring also includes the effects of 
completing and integrating significant business combinations 
and divestments, including related transaction costs, gains 
and losses. Recurring costs of normal business operations 
and routine asset disposal gains and losses are excluded. 

Impairment includes impairment losses associated with major 
restructuring as well as impairment losses and reversals of 
impairment losses resulting from major changes in the markets 
in which a reported segment operates. 

The incidence of these business changes may be periodic and 
the effect on reported performance of initiating them will vary 
from period to period. Because each such business change is 
different in nature and scope, there will be little continuity in the 
detailed composition and size of the reported amounts which 
affect performance in successive periods. Separate disclosure 
of these amounts facilitates the understanding of performance 
including and excluding items affecting comparability. 

58

Syngenta’s definition of restructuring and impairment may not 
be comparable to similarly titled line items in financial statements 
of other companies.

Free cash flow
Free cash flow comprises cash flow from operating and 
investing activities: excluding investments in and proceeds from 
marketable securities, which are included in investing activities; 
excluding cash flows from and used for foreign exchange 
movements and settlement of related hedges on inter-company 
loans, which are included in operating activities; and including 
cash flows from acquisitions of non-controlling interests, which 
are included in financing activities. 

Free cash flow is not a measure of financial performance under 
generally accepted accounting principles and the free cash flow 
measure used by Syngenta may not be identical to similarly titled 
measures of other companies. Free cash flow has been included 
as it is used by many investors as a useful supplementary 
measure of cash generation.

Net debt reconciliation
Net debt comprises total debt net of related hedging derivatives, 
cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. Net debt 
is not a measure of financial position under generally accepted 
accounting principles and the net debt measure used by 
Syngenta may not be comparable to the similarly titled measure 
of other companies. Net debt has been included as it is used by 
many investors as a useful measure of financial position and risk. 
The following table presents the derivation of the debt/equity 
gearing ratio:

($m)
Net debt
Shareholders’ equity
Debt/equity gearing ratio (%)

2012
1,706
8,745
20%

2011
1,135
7,494
15%

Cash flow return on investment
Cash flow return on investment is a measure used by Syngenta 
to compare cash returns to average invested capital. Gross cash 
flow used in the calculation comprises cash flow before change 
in net working capital, excluding interest and other financial 
receipts and payments. In 2011, accelerated contributions to the 
defined benefit pension plans were also excluded. Invested 
capital comprises: total current assets, excluding cash and 
derivative and other financial assets; total non-current assets, 
excluding non-current derivative and other financial assets and 
defined benefit pension assets, and adjusted to reflect the gross 
book values of property, plant and equipment and intangible 
assets; total current liabilities, excluding current financial debt 
and other financial liabilities; and deferred tax liabilities.

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Full year segmental results excluding restructuring and impairment

2012 ($ m)
Sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Marketing and distribution
Research and development
General and administrative
Operating income/(loss)

2011 3 ($ m) 
Sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Marketing and distribution
Research and development
General and administrative
Operating income/(loss)

EAME 1
3,974
(1,859)
2,115
(664)
–
(146)
1,305

EAME 1
3,982
(1,798)
2,184
(685)
–
(166)
1,333

North  
America
3,931
(1,805)
2,126
(602)
–
(153)
1,371

North  
America
3,273
(1,642)
1,631
(554)
–
(114)
963

Latin  
America
3,713
(2,057)
1,656
(546)
–
(103)
1,007

Latin  
America
3,305
(1,813)
1,492
(542)
–
(77)
873

Asia  
Pacific
1,827
(973)
854
(303)
–
(46)
505

Asia  
Pacific
1,887
(984)
903
(290)
–
(48)
565

Non- 
regional
–
(149)
(149)
(95)
(1,195)
(270)
(1,709)

Non- 
regional
–
(131)
(131)
(89)
(1,135)
(155)
(1,510)

Total
regional 2 
13,445
(6,843)
6,602
(2,210)
(1,195)
(718)
2,479

Total
regional 2 
12,447
(6,368)
6,079
(2,160)
(1,135)
(560)
2,224

Lawn and 
Garden
757
(368)
389
(208)
(58)
(45)
78

Lawn and 
Garden
821
(404)
417
(227)
(56)
(62)
72

Total 
Group
14,202
(7,211)
6,991
(2,418)
(1,253)
(763)
2,557

Total 
Group
13,268
(6,772)
6,496
(2,387)
(1,191)
(622)
2,296

1 EAME: Europe, Africa and Middle East
2 Includes non-regional
3 After the effect of reclassifications described in Note 2 to the Group Consolidated Financial Statements in the Financial Report 2012
All activities were in respect of continuing operations.

Segmental operating income reconciled to  
segmental results excluding restructuring and impairment

2012 ($ m) 
Operating income/(loss)
Restructuring and impairment:

Cost of goods sold 3
Expenses

Operating income excluding 
restructuring and impairment
Operating margin (%)

2011 ($ m) 
Operating income/(loss)
Restructuring and impairment:

Cost of goods sold 3
Expenses

Operating income excluding 
restructuring and impairment
Operating margin (%)

1 EAME: Europe, Africa and Middle East
2 Includes non-regional
3 Reversal of inventory step-up

EAME 1
1,275

5
25

1,305
32.8

EAME 1
1,237

8
88

1,333
33.5

North  
America
1,342

Latin  
America
970

Asia  
Pacific
493

Non- 
regional 
(1,828)

Total
regional 2
2,252

Lawn and 
Garden
40

2
27

1,371
34.9

–
37

1,007
27.1

North  
America
932

Latin  
America
850

6
25

963
29.4

–
23

873
26.4

–
12

505
27.6

Asia  
Pacific
552

–
13

565
29.9

–
119

(1,709)
n/a

7
220

2,479
18.4

–
38

78
10.4

Non- 
regional
(1,539)

Total
regional 2 
2,032

Lawn and 
Garden
19

–
29

(1,510)
n/a

14
178

2,224
17.9

–
53

72
8.8

Total  
Group
2,292

7
258

2,557
18.0

Total  
Group
2,051

14
231

2,296
17.3

59

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012Performance data

Corporate Responsibility  
performance summary

Corporate Responsibility (CR) is integral to our business and our reporting. Syngenta’s CR performance is covered throughout 
this Annual Review and summarized on pages 60 to 64. CR performance data is presented in seven categories that align with the 
way we work: people, manufacturing and procurement, environment, responsible agriculture, product safe use, economic value 
shared and business integrity. Our CR reporting is for the period October 1 to September 30, with the exceptions noted. In 2012, 
we made improvements to our CR reporting processes, revised some CR performance indicators, and added a number of new 
indicators. For more information on our CR performance in 2012, including a detailed explanation of the figures presented below, 
see the Online Annual Report: www.syngenta.com/ar2012

2012
 27,262 
 12,417 
 4,598 
 5,095 
 5,152 
975
12.4%

2011
26,333
 12,134 
 4,713 
 4,681 
 4,805 
 881 
11.6%

2010
26,302
 12,509 
 4,809 
 4,282 
 4,702 
 850 
9.5%

31%
20%
13%
334
63%
19%
10%
8%
38

32%
21%
12%
345
62%
19%
10%
9%
34

32%
20%
11%
196
63%
18%
9%
10%
24

24.6
 901 

23.7
901 

19.5
741 

 16,561 
46%
 1,098 

16,872
46%
1,047

16,262
46%
1,031

People

People retention  1
Employees  2
EAME 3
North America
LATAM
APAC

Part-time employees
Turnover rate 4
Diversity  1
Female employees

In management roles
In senior management

Senior managers

EAME 3
North America
LATAM
APAC

Nationalities in senior management
Employee development    1, 5
Training investment ($m)  
Training investment per employee ($)  
Reward and recognition  1
Employees eligible to participate in Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Eligible employees participating in ESPP

Employees participating in long-term equity incentive plans

1 In 2012, reporting year ending September 30. In 2011 and 2010, reporting year ending December 31
2 Permanent full-time equivalent (FTE)
3 Including headquarters (Switzerland)
4 Including voluntary leavers, retirees and restructuring
5 Restated values due to change in scope to include only training delivered by external providers

60

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
People continued

Health, safety and wellbeing
Recordable injury and illness rate (IIR) per 200,000 hours 1
Recordable injury rate per 200,000 hours 1

EAME 2
North America
LATAM
APAC

Recordable occupational illness rate per 200,000 hours 1

EAME 2
North America
LATAM
APAC
First aid cases

1 According to US OSHA definition for injuries and illness
2 Including headquarters (Switzerland)

Read more about “People” on www.syngenta.com/ar2012

Manufacturing and procurement

Responsible supply chain 1
Seed supply farms included in Syngenta/FLA program
HSEQ assessments at chemical suppliers  2
HSEQ assessments at warehouse/logistics service providers 3

New indicators for 2012
Our production and R&D sites 4, 5
Active ingredient production
Formulation, fill and packaging
Lawn and Garden supply chain
Seed processing
Research and development
Quality management 4, 6
Quality audits performed on own sites
Quality audits performed on third parties
Security management  4
Evaluated high and medium risk sites

Of which: production sites

1 In 2012, reporting year ending September 30. In 2011 and 2010, reporting year ending December 31
2 Formulation, fill and packaging supplier assessments have been included since 2011
3 2011 first year of reporting
4 2012 first year of reporting
5 Including 35 multi-functional sites
6 Reporting year ending December 31

Read more about “Manufacturing and procurement” on www.syngenta.com/ar2012

2012
0.39
0.35
0.39
0.87
0.17
0.16
0.03
0.07
0.00
0.00
0.03
693

2011
0.44
0.39
0.38
0.99
0.20
0.17
0.05
0.05
0.16
0.00
0.01
798

2010
0.41
0.39
0.43
0.75
0.22
0.18
0.02
0.01
0.06
0.00
0.01
820

2012
 17,625 
109
115

2011
16,880
97
129

2010
11,886
70
–

2012
8
23
15
62
154

91
89

72
39%

61

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
 
 
 
 
Performance data
Corporate Responsibility performance summary continued

Environment

Energy
Energy intensity (MJ/$EBIT)1
Energy (TJ)
Gas (TJ)
Electricity (TJ)
Steam (TJ)
Oil (TJ)
Others (TJ)

Sites setting energy targets
Greenhouse gases 
Total CO2e emissions intensity (kg/$EBIT)1
Total CO2e emissions (000s tonnes)
Within direct control:

CO2e emissions from own operations (000s tonnes)
CO2 emissions from company vehicles (000s tonnes)

Within indirect control:

CO2e emissions from purchased energy (000s tonnes)
CO2 emissions from business trips (000s tonnes)
CO2 emissions from distribution (000s tonnes)

Other air emissions
Other air emissions intensity (g/$EBIT)1
Other air emissions (tonnes)

NOx (tonnes)
Non-halogenated VOCs (tonnes)
Halogenated VOCs (tonnes)
Particulates (tonnes)
SO2 (tonnes)
NH3 (tonnes)
HCL (tonnes)

Water
Water usage intensity (liters/$EBIT)1
Water usage (million cubic meters)
Cooling (million cubic meters)
Irrigation (million cubic meters) 2
Processing and washing (million cubic meters)3
Product ingredient (million cubic meters)
Sewage and sanitary (million cubic meters)
Others (million cubic meters)

Wastewater effluents
Industrial wastewater discharge intensity (liters/$EBIT)1
Industrial wastewater discharge (million cubic meters)

Total organic carbon (TOC) (tonnes)
Chemical oxygen demand (COD) (tonnes)
Biological oxygen demand (BOD) (tonnes)
Total suspended solids (tonnes)
Soluble salts discharged (000s tonnes)

Direct discharge of uncontaminated cooling water (million cubic meters)

1 $EBIT excluding restructuring and impairment 
2 Policy on water reporting was revised in 2012 and 12 additional reporting sites were included
3 Restated values due to change in scope to exclude irrigation

62

2012
3.65
 9,336 
 3,936 
 2,347 
 1,419 
 703 
 931 
19

0.59
 1,516 

665
68

391
45
347

0.52
 1,324 
476
505
13
108
198
8
16

13.2
33.8
18.0
6.5
7.0
0.2
1.0
1.1

 3.9 
10.1
 771 
 2,337 
 239 
 363 
 133 
17.8

2011
 3.79
 8,707 
 3,655 
 2,155 
 1,438 
 660 
 799 
 19 

0.61
1,396

513
65

374
51
393

0.63 
 1,454 
445
647
29
114
180
22
17

13.4
30.8
18.7
2.9
7.0
0.2
1.0
1.0

4.2
9.6
1,033
3,119
308
520
120
18.5

2010
 4.08
 8,031 
 3,851 
 1,963 
 935 
 631 
 652 
 22 

 0.66
 1,304 

616
68

301
20
299

 0.64
 1,269 
404
440
48
123
208
23
23

14.6
28.8
18.6
1.8
6.2
0.2
1.1
0.9

4.5
8.8
769
 2,336 
240
393
114
18.5

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
Environment continued

Waste
Hazardous waste intensity (kg/$EBIT)1
Hazardous waste (000s tonnes)

Recycled and re-used (000s tonnes)
Incinerated (000s tonnes)
Landfill (000s tonnes)
Other (000s tonnes)

Non-hazardous waste intensity (kg/$EBIT)1
Non-hazardous waste (000s tonnes)

Recycled and re-used (000s tonnes)
Incinerated (000s tonnes)
Landfill (000s tonnes)
Other (000s tonnes)

Sites with waste reduction programs
Environmental compliance
Significant unplanned releases 2

1 $EBIT excluding restructuring and impairment
2 Releases that escape beyond the site boundary and cause either environmental impact and/or concern from neighbors, regulators, etc 

Read more about “Environment” on www.syngenta.com/ar2012

Responsible agriculture

Resource efficiency programs (soil, water, biodiversity, IPM/ICM, safe use)
Total investment ($m) 1

EAME 2 
North America
LATAM
APAC

Active programs

1 Increase in investment is due to a focus on developing markets in APAC and LATAM  
2 Including headquarters (Switzerland) 

Read more about “Responsible agriculture” on www.syngenta.com/ar2012

Product safe use

Medical stewardship 1
Countries with established Syngenta product toxicovigilance programs 2

Crop Protection sales represented

Product safe use training
Active training programs

Human health  3
Environment  3
Value chain  3
People trained (m) 

1 In 2012, reporting year ending September 30. In 2011 and 2010, reporting year ending December 31
2 Restated values due to change in scope to include Canada and the USA 
3 2012 first year of reporting 

Read more about “Product safe use: leadership and training” on www.syngenta.com/ar2012

2012
 0.07 
190.0
60.0
118.0
1.0
11.0
0.04 
109.8
80.0
4.1
18.5
7.2
16

2011
0.09
201.4
66.9
121.5
0.4
12.6
0.04
94.5 
64.3
7.1
19.1
4.0
16

2010
0.10
198.7
64.0
124.0
0.4
10.3
0.07
133.7
76.6
18.0
28.7
10.4
19

0

0

0

2012
10.4
37%
4%
35%
24%
157

2012
85
92%

92
83%
2%
15%
3.0

2011
7.5
48%
20%
14%
18%
150

2011
85
89%

61
–
–
–
2.9

2010
7.6
42%
20%
21%
18%
182

2010
85
88%

90
–
–
–
3.2

63

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance data
Corporate Responsibility performance summary continued

Economic value shared

Revenue ($m) 1

Payments to suppliers
Employee wages and benefits
Payments to governments (taxes) 2
Payments to providers of capital 3
Capital expenditure
Corporate community investment 4
Economic value retained

2012
13,866
8,550 
2,710 
345 
971 
662 
19 
609

2011
13,268
8,140 
2,661 
312 
1,078 
575 
18
484

2010
11,641
6,851 
2,305 
292 
884 
526 
17
766

1 In 2012, reporting year ending September 30. In 2011 and 2010, reporting year ending December 31
2 Consists of income and other taxes paid, excluding VAT (included in Payments to suppliers) and employment-related taxes (included in Employee wages and benefits)
3 Consists of expenditures for dividends, share repurchases (excluding those for employee share plans) and interest on debt
4 In 2012, $ 0.5 million from resource efficiency programs 

Read more about “Economic value shared” on www.syngenta.com/ar2012

Business integrity

Corporate conduct 1
Compliance cases reported through the compliance helpline 2
Animal testing compliance 1
Management system audits performed in contract laboratories

Management system non-compliances found 3

Biotechnology and regulatory compliance 1
Employees completing trial regulatory compliance training 4
Trial locations requiring a permit
Trial inspections performed by Syngenta

1 In 2012, reporting year ending September 30. In 2011 and 2010, reporting year ending December 31
2 This does not include cases reported through line management, HR or legal processes
3 Syngenta management system procedures were not fulfilled. Corrective actions were taken immediately
4 The peak in 2011 was primarily due to additional training during the integration of Seeds and Crop Protection 

Read more about “Business integrity” on www.syngenta.com/ar2012

2012
58

15
1

1,559
400
278

2011
82

8
0

2,044
406
155

2010
78

6
0

1,593
435
237

64

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
 
 
 
Independent Assurance Report on the 
Syngenta Corporate Responsibility Reporting

To the Head of Legal and Taxes, Syngenta AG, Basel 
(‘Syngenta’)

Main Assurance Procedures
Our assurance procedures included the following work:

We have performed assurance procedures to provide 
assurance on the following aspects of the 2012 
Corporate Responsibility (CR) reporting of Syngenta.

Subject matter
Data and information disclosed in the CR reporting 
of Syngenta and its consolidated subsidiaries, for the 
financial year ended December 31, 2012 and with 
the indicated level of assurance as follows:

 – The application of the Syngenta internal Health, Safety 
and Environment (HSE) and Corporate Community 
Investment (CCI) reporting guidelines to the CR 
reporting with a reasonable assurance;

 – The internal reporting system and procedures, 

including the control environment, to collect and 
aggregate CR data with a reasonable assurance; and

 – The CR Performance Summary disclosed on pages 
60 to 64 of the Syngenta Annual Review 2012 with 
a limited assurance.

Our assurance procedures do not cover the indicators 
on capital expenditure, employee wages and benefits, 
payments to suppliers, governments and providers of 
capital, and economic value retained presented in the 
CR Performance Summary on page 64 of the Annual 
Review 2012.

Criteria
 – The Syngenta internal HSE and CCI reporting 

guidelines; and

Evaluation of the application of group guidelines  
Reviewing the application of the Syngenta internal HSE 
and CCI reporting guidelines.

Site visits 
Visiting a Crop Protection site and a Seeds site in the 
USA. The selection was based on quantitative and 
qualitative criteria.  
Interviewing personnel responsible for internal reporting 
and data collection at the sites we visited and at the 
Group level.

Assessment of the performance indicators 
Performing tests on a sample basis of evidence 
supporting the CR Performance Summary relative to 
completeness, accuracy, adequacy and consistency.

Review of the documentation 
Reviewing the relevant documentation on a sample 
basis, including, management and reporting structures 
and documentation.

Assessment of the processes and data consolidation 
Reviewing the appropriateness of the management and 
reporting processes for CR reporting.  
Assessing the consolidation process of data at the 
group level.

Conclusions
In our opinion

 – The internal HSE and CCI guidelines are being applied 

properly; and

 – The defined procedures by which the CR data are 

 –  The internal reporting systems to collect and 

gathered, collated and aggregated internally.

Responsibility and Methodology
The accuracy and completeness of CR performance 
indicators are subject to inherent limitations given their 
nature and methods for determining, calculating and 
estimating such data. Our assurance report should 
therefore be read in connection with Syngenta’s internal 
guidelines, definitions and procedures on the reporting 
of its CR performance.

The Board of Directors of Syngenta AG is responsible for 
both the subject matter and the criteria. Our responsibility 
is to provide a conclusion on the subject matter based 
on our assurance procedures in accordance with the 
International Standard on Assurance Engagements 
(ISAE) 3000.

For the subject matter for which we provide limited 
assurance, the nature, timing and extent of procedures for 
gathering sufficient appropriate evidence are deliberately 
limited relative to a reasonable assurance engagement.

aggregate CR data are functioning as designed and 
provide an appropriate basis for its disclosure.

Based on our work described in this report, nothing has 
come to our attention that causes us to believe that the 
data and information mentioned in the subject matter 
and disclosed with the CR reporting in the Syngenta 
Annual Review 2012 on pages 60 to 64 does not give a 
fair picture of Syngenta’s performance in the area of CR. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers AG

Zurich, February 15, 2013

Gerd Tritschler  
Jonas Buol

65

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012 
 
Performance data

Shareholder information

Syngenta share price performance January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012
(Indexed to zero at closing price on December 31, 2011)

Dec 31, 2012
CHF366.60

High: CHF376.50
Low:  CHF275.00

*

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Syngenta   Eurotop 300   SMI

* Closing high/low during the year

Syngenta ADS price performance January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012
(Indexed to zero at closing price on December 31, 2011)

Dec 31, 2012
$ 80.80

High: $ 82.47
Low:  $ 58.51

*

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

%
40

30

20

10

0

-10

%
40

30

20

10

0

-10

Syngenta ADS   S&P 500   Dow Jones

* Closing high/low during the year

Reporting dates
First quarter trading statement
Annual General Meeting
Half-year results
Third quarter trading statement

April 18, 2013
April 23, 2013
July 24, 2013
October 17, 2013

A full form 20-F is accessible at: www.syngenta.com/ir
Investors can subscribe to financial releases via RSS at: www.syngenta.com/ir
The full-year results press release can be viewed up to six months after the event at:  
www.syngenta.com/fyr2012

Syngenta shares are listed on the SIX Swiss 
Exchange and on the New york Stock Exchange, 
where the shares are traded as ADS (American 
Depositary Shares).1

Trading symbols

Shares 

Shares in issue
At December 31, 2012 
Total shares in issue 
of which treasury shares 

SIX Swiss 
Exchange
SyNN 

New york 
Stock 
Exchange
SyT

Number of shares
93,126,149
1,387,266

Share price and market capitalization 2
At December 31, 2012
Share price (CHF)
Share price ($) (ADS) 
Market capitalization (CHF million) 
Market capitalization ($ million) 

Dividend history

2008 
2009
2010
2011
2012 3

366.60
80.80
33,631
36,748

Dividend  
CHF
6.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.50

1 1 share = 5 ADS
2  For the purposes of calculating market capitalization the number 

of shares stood at 91.7 million

3  To be submitted to shareholders for approval at the Annual General 

Meeting on April 23, 2013

66

SyngentaAnnual Review 2012  
 
Bringing plant potential to life

Syngenta is one of the world’s leading 
companies with more than 27,000 employees 
in some 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: 
Bringing plant potential to life. Through our  
world-class science, we aim to deliver integrated 
solutions that will transform the way crops are 
grown around the globe, and to extend our 
contribution beyond yield.

Contents

Overview
About Syngenta 
Business highlights 2012 
Group performance 
Chairman’s letter 
Chief Executive Officer’s letter 

Challenges and our contribution
Global challenges
Addressing global challenges
More productive and sustainable
Better use of resources
The importance of soil fertility
The case for biodiversity
Ensuring agriculture is safe
Making agriculture more viable
Syngenta Foundation for 
Sustainable Agriculture

01
02
03
04
06

08
10
10
12
13
13
14
15

15

Our strategy
Integrate 
Innovate 
Outperform

Performance review
Regional overview
Corn 
Soybean 
Cereals 
Rice 
Vegetables 
Sugar cane 
Diverse field crops 
Specialty crops 
Lawn and Garden 

17
18
19

20
22
24
25
27
28
30
31
32
34

The way we work
Research and Development 
People 
Manufacturing and procurement 
Environment 
Responsible agriculture  
and product safe use
Economic value shared 
Business integrity 

Biographies
Board of Directors 
Executive Committee 

Performance data
Product line performance 
Financial information 
Corporate Responsibility 
performance summary 
Shareholder information 

36
38
39
41

42
44
44

46
48

50
52

60
66

Syngenta share price performance January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2012
(Indexed to zero at closing price on December 31, 2007)

CHF200.40

CHF290.70

CHF273.50

CHF275.00

%
30

20

10

0

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

Dec 31, 2012
CHF366.60

Over the last five 
years, Syngenta has 
outperformed the 
Swiss Market Index 
by 47 percent and 
the Eurotop 300 index 
by 52 percent.

-60

Jun

Mar

Dec
2008
Syngenta   Eurotop 300   SMI

Sep

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2009

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2010

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2011

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2012

Syngenta ADS price performance January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2012
(Indexed to zero at closing price on December 31, 2007)

$39.14

$56.27

$58.78

$58.94

Dec 31, 2012
$80.80

The Syngenta ADS has 
outperformed the major 
US stock market indices 
by around 60 percent 
since 2007.

%
60

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

-60

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2009

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2009

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2010

Mar

Jun

Sep

Dec
2011

Mar

Jun

Sep Dec
2012

Syngenta ADS   S&P 500   Dow Jones

Total shareholder return1 January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2012

Syngenta
ADS

Syngenta
share

FTSE EU
Chemicals

S&P US
Chemicals

NASDAQ

S&P 500

Eurotop 300

SMI

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

%

Over the last 10 years, 
total shareholder return 
is 455 percent from 
the Syngenta share 
and 757 percent from 
the ADS.

Annual Review 2012 67

Syngenta

Syngenta
Annual Review 2012

1 Share price appreciation plus reinvested dividends, indexed to closing price on December 31, 2002 

i

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i

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2
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1
0
0
2
2
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S
S

Annual Review 2012
Bringing plant  
potential to life

Switzerland  
Investor Relations  
T +41 61 323 5883  
F +41 61 323 5880  
E global.investor_relations@syngenta.com

Media Relations  
T +41 61 323 2323  
F +41 61 323 2424  
E media.relations@syngenta.com

Share Register  
T +41 58 399 6133  
F +41 58 499 6193  
E syngenta.aktienregister@sag.ch

Shareholder Services  
T +41 61 323 9492 
F +41 61 323 5461  
E shareholder.services@syngenta.com

Ordering of publications  
T +41 58 399 6133  
E syngenta.aktienregister@sag.ch

Syngenta switchboard  
T +41 61 323 1111  
F +41 61 323 1212  
E global.webmaster@syngenta.com 

USA  
Investor Relations  
T +1 202 737 6520  
T +1 202 737 6521  
E global.investor_relations@syngenta.com 

Media Relations  
T +1 202 628 2372  
F +1 202 347 8758  
E media.relations_us@syngenta.com

Contacts for ADS holders 
T +1 888 253 7068 – from within the USA 
T +1 201 680 6825 – from outside the USA

Syngenta AG 
Corporate Affairs  
Schwarzwaldallee 215 
P.O. Box 
CH-4002 Basel 
Switzerland

www.syngenta.com

For the business year 2012, Syngenta 
has published three reports: Annual 
Review (incorporating the Corporate 
Responsibility Report), Financial Report 
and Corporate Governance Report 
and Compensation Report.

All documents were originally published 
in English. The Annual Review 2012 and 
the Corporate Governance Report and 
Compensation Report 2012 are also 
available in German. 

These publications are also available on 
the Internet: www.syngenta.com

Syngenta AG, Basel, Switzerland.  
All rights reserved. 

Editorial completion: February 2013

Copywriting: Lang Communications Ltd, 
London, UK

Design and production: Radley Yeldar, 
London, UK 

Printing: Neidhart + Schön AG, 
Zurich, Switzerland

Printed on Hello Silk, made with wood fiber  
from managed forests and manufactured at  
a mill that has achieved the ISO14001 and 
EMAS environmental management standards.

Image on page 7 copyright IUCN

® Registered trademarks of a Syngenta  
Group Company  
™ Trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company 

© 2013 Syngenta AG, Basel, Switzerland. 
All rights reserved.

The SYNGENTA Wordmark and BRINGING 
PLANT POTENTIAL TO LIFE are registered 
trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. 

Cautionary statement regarding forward-
looking statements: This document contains 
forward-looking statements, which can be 
identified by terminology such as “expect”, 
“would”, “will”, “potential”, “plans”, “prospects”, 
“estimated”, “aiming”, “on track” and similar 
expressions. Such statements may be subject 
to risks and uncertainties that could cause  
the actual results to differ materially from  
these statements. 

We refer you to Syngenta’s publicly available 
filings with the US Securities and Exchange 
Commission for information about these and 
other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta 
assumes no obligation to update forward-
looking statements to reflect actual results, 
changed assumptions or other factors. 

This document does not constitute, or form 
part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue,  
or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase 
or subscribe for any ordinary shares in 
Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor 
shall it form the basis of, or be relied on 
in connection with, any contract therefor.

Article number 017001.040