FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant
to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of July 2006
Commission File Number: 001-15152
SYNGENTA AG
(Translation of registrant’s name
into English)
Schwarzwaldallee 215
4058 Basel
Switzerland
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
| Form 20-F X | Form 40-F |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
| Yes | No X |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
| Yes | No X |
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the Registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
| Yes | No X |
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A
| Re: | SYNGENTA AG |
| Press Release: ‘Syngenta to acquire Conrad Fafard, Inc.: expands NAFTA lawn and garden business’ | |
Filed herewith is a press releases related to Syngenta AG. The full text of the press releases follows:
# # #
 |
Syngenta International
AG Media Office CH-4002 Basel Switzerland Telephone: +41 61 323 23 23 Fax: +41 61 323 24 24 www.syngenta.com |
|
| Media Release |
| Syngenta to acquire Conrad Fafard,
Inc.: expands NAFTA lawn and garden business |
Basel, Switzerland, July 10, 2006 Syngenta announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Conrad Fafard, Inc. (Fafard), a leading North American producer of packaged growing media to professional ornamental growers and the consumer retail market. Fafard is a privately held company with sales of $76m for the year ended May 31, 2006. The agreed purchase price is $133.5m. The company, headquartered in Agawam, Massachusetts, has 240 employees with production sites in the Eastern US and Canada. This acquisition in a market currently estimated at $1.5bn and growing at around 6% p.a. will reinforce Syngenta’s leading position in plant protection and flower seeds. “This acquisition advances our strategy to expand in the fast-growing lawn and garden market,” said John Atkin, COO of Syngenta Crop Protection. “Fafard has a leading position with ornamental growers in North America and a consistent record of growth. Its strong brand will give Syngenta the opportunity to become the first full range supplier to professional growers.” The closing of the transaction is subject to the approval of Fafard’s shareholders and regulatory authorities. Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2005 were approximately $8.1 billion. Syngenta employs more than 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com. |
| Media Enquiries: | Switzerland: | Guy Wolff | Tel: +41 (61) 323 2323 | |
| USA: | Sarah Hull | Tel: +1 (202) 628 2372 | ||
| UK: | Andrew Coker | Tel: +44 (1344) 41 4503 | ||
| Analysts/Investors: | Switzerland: | Jonathan Seabrook | Tel: +41 (61) 323 7502 | |
| Jennifer Gough | Tel: +41 (61) 323 5059 | |||
| USA: | Rhonda Chiger | Tel: +1 (917) 322 2569 | ||
| 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 U.S. 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. | ||||
| Syngenta – July 10, 2006 | ||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| SYNGENTA AG | ||||
| Date: | July 10, 2006 | By: | /s/ Damian Heller | |
| Name: | Damian Heller | |||
| Title: | Company Secretary | |||