A legacy of Swiss success:
Syngenta
turns 25
A legacy of Swiss success:
Syngenta
turns 25
At Syngenta, we know agriculture. Our roots in farming go back 250 years, when animals helped plow the fields and seeds were sown by hand.
Drawing from our legacy of innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence, we’re empowering farmers with the tools they need in a new era of agriculture - for the next 25 years, and beyond.
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, let’s revisit a few highlights in our history.
Our backstory
The global powerhouse that is Syngenta was officially formed 25 years ago, in 2000. But our story really starts with the chemical pioneers of the 18th century. A group of industry leaders from Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Israel, set the stage for who we are today.
Let’s start at the beginning: in 1758, Johann Rudolf Geigy founded what would become Geigy AG in Basel, Switzerland – our headquarters. More than two centuries later, it merged with another Swiss leader, the Company for Chemical Industry Basel (CIBA), to become Ciba-Geigy AG. Then, in 1996, this company combined with another heritage leader to form Novartis.
1909: Chemist Traugott Sandmeyer in his laboratory at J.R. Geigy's in Basel, where he made important discoveries in the field of dye synthesis. Source: Association for Industrial and Migration History of the Basel Region.
1909: Chemist Traugott Sandmeyer in his laboratory at J.R. Geigy's in Basel, where he made important discoveries in the field of dye synthesis. Source: Association for Industrial and Migration History of the Basel Region.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, a company called Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), was world-renowned as the country’s largest chemical manufacturer. Founded in 1926, its agricultural division would later play a crucial role in our company.
In Israel, Makhteshim Agan was formed in 1999, merging two leading chemical companies of the time.
Workers at Maag in Dielsdorf, around 1890. Source: Maag
Workers at Maag in Dielsdorf, around 1890. Source: Maag
New decade, new beginnings
In 2000, a new global agriculture leader was formed. Novartis' and Astra Zeneca's Agribusinesses merged to create our modern-day Syngenta brand. We listed on the New York Stock Exchange and launched our very own website – a new product at the time!
Syngenta listing on the New York Stock Exchange and launching the syngenta.com website.
Syngenta listing on the New York Stock Exchange and launching the syngenta.com website.
Soon after, we launched our industry-leading expertise in China, which is now one of our key markets.
In 2003 we celebrated 75 years of excellence at our Jealott's Hill research and development site in the UK – a phenomenal testament to our investment in science and technology.
Jealott's Hill International Research Centre.
Jealott's Hill International Research Centre.
Pollination program takes flight
And before the decade was out, our Operation Pollinator program took flight across Europe. This biodiversity program provided 10,000 hectares of essential habitat sources for pollinators to thrive, boosting productivity and environmental outcomes.
Operation Pollinator is an international biodiversity program to boost the number of pollinating insects on commercial farms.
Operation Pollinator is an international biodiversity program to boost the number of pollinating insects on commercial farms.
Sustainability and scientific excellence
In 2013 we marked a major sustainability milestone as we released our Good Growth Plan. A first-of-its-kind roadmap in agriculture, we combined bold environmental targets with a transparent approach. This laid the groundwork for our ongoing environmental commitments.
That same year, we also changed the global barley market forever. We introduced the world’s first hybrid barley variety in the United Kingdom, combining high yields with disease resilience for farmers.
Our world-leading scientific excellence was further recognized when our very own Dr. Mary-Dell Chilton was named a laureate of the prestigious World Food Prize, in recognition of her revolutionary biotechnology work.
Doubling down on our commitment to cutting-edge science, in 2013 we also opened our Advanced Crop Lab in North Carolina, US - one of the most sophisticated greenhouses and growth room complexes in the world.
Advanced Crop Lab in North Carolina, US.
Advanced Crop Lab in North Carolina, US.
Breakthroughs and 150th birthday
Our unmatched commitment to innovation and scientific excellence continued to drive productivity for farmers. Breakthroughs such as our ADEPIDYN® technology in 2016 ushered in a new era for disease control on-farm.
Marking another milestone, our vegetable seeds business also celebrated 150 years of innovation: a true #syngentaproud moment.
In 2017 Syngenta is acquired by ChemChina but maintains its Swiss routes, heritage, and legacy of innovation.
This era also sees the expansion of our flowers business into Asia through the acquisition of Floranova in 2018.
In 2019 we ramped up our sustainability work with the launch of our REVERTE® Project, working with farmers to rebuild Brazil’s Cerrado from the soil up.
New technologies for a new era
Syngenta Group emerged as a new global agribusiness leader in 2020, after our crop protection and seeds businesses joined the wider company. As the world's most local agricultural technology and innovation partner, we empowered farmers with the tools they need for a new era – such as our 2022 Cropwise™ digital agriculture platform.
Leveraging the advanced power of AI, digital technologies, and cutting-edge science, our farmer-focused tools turned data into deliverable results.
Syngenta Group headquarters in Basel, Switzerland and our Syngenta Group logo in the field by Zurich airport.
Syngenta Group headquarters in Basel, Switzerland and our Syngenta Group logo in the field by Zurich airport.
Nature-inspired solutions
We led the industry into one of the most exciting frontiers of science: agricultural biologicals. Accelerating the rollout of our nature-inspired biological solutions, we helped farmers secure higher, healthier yields while reducing their environmental impact.
That same year, our R&D team was ranked in the top three of TIME’s Team of the Year award.
Continuing our legacy of collaborating across industries, we also launched our Shoots by Syngenta program.
Sustainability and science lead the way
We made strides in our environmental commitments, with the launch of our Sustainability Priorities. These four pillars serve as our North Star as we work with farmers to ensure that the food that feeds the world can also help improve it.
In parallel, we champion scientific research and collaboration, opening the rights to our optimized CRISPR-Cas12a as well as to gene-editing enabled breeding tools for global academic research. It’s just the latest example of our collaborative spirit: we’ve long been open to sharing technology with public and private entities, to ensure we can collectively meet the challenges of modern agriculture while driving sustainable outcomes.
XVIII century
Our backstory
The global powerhouse that is Syngenta was officially formed 25 years ago, in 2000. But our story really starts with the chemical pioneers of the 18th century. A group of industry leaders from Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Israel, set the stage for who we are today.
Let’s start at the beginning: in 1758, Johann Rudolf Geigy founded what would become Geigy AG in Basel, Switzerland – our headquarters. More than two centuries later, it merged with another Swiss leader, the Company for Chemical Industry Basel (CIBA), to become Ciba-Geigy AG. Then, in 1996, this company combined with another heritage leader to form Novartis.
1909: Chemist Traugott Sandmeyer in his laboratory at J.R. Geigy's in Basel, where he made important discoveries in the field of dye synthesis. Source: Association for Industrial and Migration History of the Basel Region.
1909: Chemist Traugott Sandmeyer in his laboratory at J.R. Geigy's in Basel, where he made important discoveries in the field of dye synthesis. Source: Association for Industrial and Migration History of the Basel Region.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, a company called Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), was world-renowned as the country’s largest chemical manufacturer. Founded in 1926, its agricultural division would later play a crucial role in our company.
In Israel, Makhteshim Agan was formed in 1999, merging two leading chemical companies of the time.
Workers at Maag in Dielsdorf, around 1890. Source: Maag
Workers at Maag in Dielsdorf, around 1890. Source: Maag
2000
New decade, new beginnings
In 2000, a new global agriculture leader was formed. Novartis' and Astra Zeneca's Agribusinesses merged to create our modern-day Syngenta brand. We listed on the New York Stock Exchange and launched our very own website – a new product at the time!
Syngenta listing on the New York Stock Exchange and launching the syngenta.com website.
Syngenta listing on the New York Stock Exchange and launching the syngenta.com website.
Soon after, we launched our industry-leading expertise in China, which is now one of our key markets.
In 2023 we celebrated 75 years of excellence at our Jealott's Hill research and development site in the UK – a phenomenal testament to our investment in science and technology.
Jealott's Hill International Research Centre.
Jealott's Hill International Research Centre.
2009
Pollination program takes flight
And before the decade was out, our Operation Pollinator program took flight across Europe. This biodiversity program provided 10,000 hectares of essential habitat sources for pollinators to thrive, boosting productivity and environmental outcomes.
Operation Pollinator is an international biodiversity program to boost the number of pollinating insects on commercial farms.
Operation Pollinator is an international biodiversity program to boost the number of pollinating insects on commercial farms.
2013
Sustainability and scientific excellence
In 2013 we marked a major sustainability milestone as we released our Good Growth Plan. A first-of-its-kind roadmap in agriculture, we combined bold environmental targets with a transparent approach. This laid the groundwork for our ongoing environmental commitments.
That same year, we also changed the global barley market forever. We introduced the world’s first hybrid barley variety in the United Kingdom, combining high yields with disease resilience for farmers.
Our world-leading scientific excellence was further recognized when our very own Dr. Mary-Dell Chilton was named a laureate of the prestigious World Food Prize, in recognition of her revolutionary biotechnology work.
Doubling down on our commitment to cutting-edge science, in 2013 we also opened our Advanced Crop Lab in North Carolina, US - one of the most sophisticated greenhouses and growth room complexes in the world.
Advanced Crop Lab in North Carolina, US.
Advanced Crop Lab in North Carolina, US.
2016
Breakthroughs and 150th birthday
Our unmatched commitment to innovation and scientific excellence continued to drive productivity for farmers. Breakthroughs such as our ADEPIDYN® technology in 2016 ushered in a new era for disease control on-farm.
Marking another milestone, our vegetable seeds business also celebrated 150 years of innovation: a true #syngentaproud moment.
In 2017 Syngenta is acquired by ChemChina but maintains its Swiss routes, heritage, and legacy of innovation.
This era also sees the expansion of our flowers business into Asia through the acquisition of Floranova in 2018.
In 2019 we ramped up our sustainability work with the launch of our REVERTE® Project, working with farmers to rebuild Brazil’s Cerrado from the soil up.
2020
New technologies for a new era
Syngenta Group emerged as a new global agribusiness leader in 2020, after our crop protection and seeds businesses joined the wider company. As the world's most local agricultural technology and innovation partner, we empowered farmers with the tools they need for a new era – such as our 2022 Cropwise™ digital agriculture platform.
Leveraging the advanced power of AI, digital technologies, and cutting-edge science, our farmer-focused tools turned data into deliverable results.
Syngenta Group headquarters in Basel, Switzerland and our Syngenta Group logo in the field by Zurich airport.
Syngenta Group headquarters in Basel, Switzerland and our Syngenta Group logo in the field by Zurich airport.
2023
Nature-inspired solutions
We led the industry into one of the most exciting frontiers of science: agricultural biologicals. Accelerating the rollout of our nature-inspired biological solutions, we helped farmers secure higher, healthier yields while reducing their environmental impact.
That same year, our R&D team was ranked in the top three of TIME’s Team of the Year award.
Continuing our legacy of collaborating across industries, we also launched our Shoots by Syngenta program.
2024
Sustainability and science lead the way
We made strides in our environmental commitments, with the launch of our Sustainability Priorities. These four pillars serve as our North Star as we work with farmers to ensure that the food that feeds the world can also help improve it.
In parallel, we champion scientific research and collaboration, opening the rights to our optimized CRISPR-Cas12a as well as to gene-editing enabled breeding tools for global academic research. It’s just the latest example of our collaborative spirit: we’ve long been open to sharing technology with public and private entities, to ensure we can collectively meet the challenges of modern agriculture while driving sustainable outcomes.
The next 25 – and beyond
We’ve come a long way over the last quarter-of-a-century. And even further since our founding legacy companies 250 years ago. But we remain loyal to our Swiss roots, steeped in innovation and collaboration.
Today, we’re empowering farmers for a new era of agriculture. Harnessing the power of cutting-edge AI and technology capabilities, we’re developing breakthrough technologies and farmer-focused digital solutions that foster environmental stewardship for generations to come.
And we’re excited to continue working with farmers to tackle the challenges that will arise – be that over the next year, the next 25, or beyond.
This year, Syngenta is celebrating its 25th anniversary. We are proud of our continuous innovation and contribution to the food system over the past quarter century. Check out more of our stories about innovation.
This year, Syngenta is celebrating its 25th anniversary. We are proud of our continuous innovation and contribution to the food system over the past quarter century. Check out more of our stories about innovation.
