DuPont was founded in 1802 and was incorporated in Delaware in 1915. DuPont is
a world leader in science and technology in a range of disciplines, including
high-performance materials, synthetic fibers, electronics, specialty chemicals,
agriculture and biotechnology. The company operates globally, manufacturing a
wide range of products for distribution and sale to many different markets, including
the automotive, textile, construction, agricultural, medical, packaging, electronics,
and the nutrition and health markets.
The company and its subsidiaries have operations in about 75 countries worldwide
and about 55 percent of consolidated net sales are made to customers outside
the United States. Subsidiaries and affiliates of DuPont conduct manufacturing,
seed production, or selling activities, and some are distributors of products
manufactured by the company.
The major commodities, raw materials, and supplies for the companys reportable
segments include the following:
AGRICULTURE & NUTRITION:
acetaldoxime; carbamic acid related intermediates; polyethylene; soybeans;soy
flake; 5-choroindanone; soy lecithin
COATINGS & COLOR TECHNOLOGIES:
butyl acetate; chlorine; HDI based poly alaphatic isocyanates; industrial gases
(O2/N2); ore; petroleum coke; pigments
ELECTRONIC & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES:
chloroform; fluorspar; hydrofluoric acid; kraton; oxydianiline; perchloroethylene;
polyester; polyethylene; precious metals; pyromellitic dianhydride
PERFORMANCE MATERIALS:
adipic acid; butanediol; ethane; ethylene glycol; fiberglass; hexamethylenediamine;
methacrylic acid; methanol; natural gas; paraxylene
SAFETY & PROTECTION:
ammonia; benzene; high density polyethylene; isophthaloyl chloride; metaphenylenediamine;
methyl methacrylate; natural gas; paraphenylenediamine; polyester fiber; polypropylene;
propylene; terephthaloyl chloride; wood pulp
TEXTILES & INTERIORS:
acetylene; adipic acid; ammonia; butadiene; cyclohexane; natural gas; paraxylene;
terephthalic acid
Sales of the companys products in Agriculture & Nutrition, and to a certain
extent, Coatings & Color Technologies and Textiles & Interiors, are
affected by seasonal patterns. Agriculture & Nutritions performance is
strongest in the first half of the year. Pioneer generally operates at a loss
during the third and fourth quarters of the year, and due to the seasonal nature
of the seed business, Pioneers inventory is at its highest level at the end
of the calendar year and is sold down in the first and second quarters.
In general, businesses in the remaining segments are not significantly affected
by seasonal factors.
MAJOR CUSTOMERS
The companys sales are not materially dependent on a single customer or small
group of customers. Textiles & Interiors and Coatings & Color Technologies,
however, have several large customers in their respective industries that are
important to these segments operating results.
COMPETITION
The companys businesses compete on a variety of factors such as price, product
quality and performance or specifications, continuity of supply, customer service
and breadth of product line, depending on the characteristics of the particular
market involved and the product or service provided.
Major competitors include chemical companies principally based in the United
States, Western Europe, Japan, China and Korea. In the aggregate, competitors
offer a comparable range of products from agricultural, commodity and specialty
chemicals to plastics and fibers products. The company also competes in certain
product markets with smaller, more specialized firms, as well as those with
partially or fully integrated petrochemical operations.
