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 September 2004
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 sells stake in SF-Chem | |
Filed herewith is a press release related to Syngenta AG. The full text of the press release follows:
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Item 1
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Syngenta International AG Media Office CH-4002 Basel Switzerland |
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| Telephone: Fax: |
+41 61 323 23 23 +41 61 323 24 24 |
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| www.syngenta.com | |||
| Media Release |
Syngenta sells stake in SF-Chem
Basel, Switzerland, 22 September 2004
Syngenta announced today that it is selling its 75 per cent stake in the Swiss chemical company SF-Chem to the Zurich-based private equity firm Capvis. The remaining 25 per cent stake held by Clariant is also being sold to Capvis. The total consideration for the transaction is CHF81 million ($64 million), of which Syngenta’s share is CHF59 million ($46 million), plus an additional performance-related component.
SF-Chem is a manufacturer of chemical intermediates for the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and speciality chemicals industries. It is headquartered in Pratteln near Basel and employs around 360 people. Closing of the transaction is expected at the end of this month.
“It has become increasingly clear that our investment in SF-Chem is no longer core“, said Christoph Mäder, responsible for Syngenta in Switzerland. “As an independent company, SF-Chem will be better able to develop its business and secure its long-term success. We are particularly grateful for the dedication shown by SF-Chem employees over the years and are confident that this dedication will be appreciated by the new owners.”
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 2003 were approximately $6.6 billion. Syngenta employs some 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.
For further information on SF-Chem see www.sf-chem.com.
For further information on Capvis see www.capvis.com.
For further information on Clariant see www.clariant.com.
| Media Enquiries: | Switzerland: | Markus Payer | Tel: +41 (61) 323 2323 | |
| USA: | Sarah Hull | Tel: +1 (202) 347 8348 | ||
| 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 therefore. |
Syngenta – 22 September 2004 / Page 1
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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: | September 22, 2004 | By: | /s/ Christoph Mäder | |
| Name: | Christoph Mäder | |||
| Title: | General Counsel | |||
| By: | /s/ Daniel Michaelis | |||
| Name: | Daniel Michaelis | |||
| Title: | Senior Corporate Counsel | |||