Biggest changeWe have a growth strategy driven by obtaining new and improved uses for existing product lines and acquiring, accessing, developing, marketing, distributing and/or selling complementary chemistries, biologicals, and related technologies in order to strengthen our product portfolio and our capabilities to effectively service our target markets and customers. 6 Table of Contents Our growth efforts focus on developing environmentally compatible and sustainable solutions that can effectively increase farmers’ yields and provide alternatives to products which may be prone to resistance.
Biggest changeWe continue to take advantage of enhanced market access positions and an expanded portfolio to deliver near-term growth. 6 Table of Contents We have a growth strategy driven by obtaining new and improved uses for existing product lines and developing, acquiring, accessing, marketing, distributing and/or selling complementary chemistries, biologicals, and related technologies to strengthen our product portfolio and our capabilities to effectively service our target markets and customers.
This level of performance underscores our collective commitment to work safely every day. We empower our people to always put safety first at work and at home. Sustainability We are committed to delivering products that improve agricultural productivity protecting the environment for future generations.
This level of performance underscores our collective commitment to work safely every day. We empower our people to always put safety first at work and at home. Sustainability We are committed to delivering products that improve agricultural productivity while protecting the environment for future generations.
Our venture capital arm, FMC Ventures, continued to build its portfolio in 2023 with new collaborations and strategic investments in start-ups and early stage companies working on new or disruptive technologies. These engagements, which support or augment our internal capabilities, span several important technology segments, including robotics, drone technology, Ag-FinTech, pathogen detection, soil health, peptides and pheromones.
Our venture capital arm, FMC Ventures, continued to build its portfolio in 2024 with new collaborations and strategic investments in start-ups and early-stage companies working on new or disruptive technologies. These engagements, which support or augment our internal capabilities, span several important technology segments, including robotics, drone technology, Ag-FinTech, pathogen detection, soil health, peptides and pheromones.
The agrochemicals industry is more consolidated following several mergers of the leading crop protection companies, which now include FMC, ChemChina (owner of Syngenta Group, which includes the former Syngenta and Adama), Bayer AG (acquired Monsanto in 2018), BASF AG and Corteva Agriscience. These five innovation companies currently represent approximately 73 percent of the crop protection industry’s global sales.
The agrochemicals industry is more consolidated following several mergers of the leading crop protection companies, which now include FMC, ChemChina (owner of Syngenta Group, which includes the former Syngenta and Adama), Bayer AG (acquired Monsanto in 2018), BASF AG and Corteva Agriscience. These five innovation companies currently represent approximately 72 percent of the crop protection industry’s global sales.
Patents involve complex factual and legal issues and thus each case is being litigated on the merits; we often seek preliminary injunctive relief to stop sales of products which we believe to be infringing – since equitable relief at the early stage of a litigation is subject to a higher standard of proof than decisions made after a trial on the merits, we may have 9 Table of Contents difficulty prevailing in all cases at that preliminary stage, and in a number of cases in India and China, we have not obtained that requested relief, allowing products to be launched while the underlying cases on the merits continue.
Patents involve complex factual and legal issues and thus each case is being litigated on the merits; we often seek preliminary injunctive relief to stop sales of products which we believe to be infringing – since equitable relief at the early stage of a litigation is subject to a higher standard of proof than decisions made after a trial on the merits, we may have difficulty prevailing in all cases at that preliminary stage, and in a number of cases in India and China, we have not obtained that requested relief, allowing products to be launched while the underlying cases on the merits continue.
While we believe that the invalidity or loss of any particular patent, trademark or license after appeal would be an unlikely possibility, our patent and trademark estate related to our diamide insect control products based on Rynaxypyr ® and Cyazypyr ® active ingredients in the aggregate are of material importance to our operations.
While we believe that the invalidity or loss of any particular patent, trademark or licenses after appeal would be an unlikely possibility, our patent and trademark estate related to our diamide insect control products based on Rynaxypyr® and Cyazypyr® active ingredients in the aggregate are of material importance to our operations.
We are committed to a 42% reduction in Scopes 1 and 2, and 25% reduction in Scope 3 by 2030, with a net-zero target across the value chain by 2035. FMC continues to make progress towards achieving our 2025 and 2035 environmental goals and our progress is reported annually in our sustainability report.
We are targeting a 42% reduction in Scopes 1 and 2, and 25% reduction in Scope 3 by 2030, with a net-zero target across the value chain by 2035. FMC continues to make progress towards achieving our 2025 and 2035 environmental goals and our progress is reported annually in our sustainability report.
As a result of our firm commitment to safety, our Total Recordable Incident Rate of 0.0547 continues to be among the lowest in the industry globally and in the top decile of peer companies in North America, placing our company among the safest organizations in the chemical industry.
As a result of our firm commitment to safety, our Total Recordable Incident Rate of 0.0995 continues to be among the lowest in the industry globally and in the top decile of peer companies in North America, placing our Company among the safest organizations in the chemical industry.
Since 2022, continuing through 2023 and into 2024, we initiated proceedings to enforce several of our patents and trademarks against generic producers and infringers, resulting in multiple favorable judgments and settlements in several countries, including in the United States, India, and China.
Since 2022, continuing through 2024, we initiated proceedings to enforce several of our patents and trademarks against generic producers and infringers, resulting in multiple favorable judgments and settlements in several countries, including in the United States, India, and China.
Patent challenges in response to enforcement efforts is expected as an ordinary defense tactic in patent enforcement cases, and have been raised in several of our enforcement cases to date; we intend to defend vigorously any diamide patents that are challenged.
Patent challenges in response to enforcement efforts are expected as an ordinary defense tactic in patent enforcement cases and have been raised in several of our enforcement cases to date; we intend to defend vigorously any patents that are challenged.
In 2023, HHPs accounted for approximately 0.1 percent of our total sales. This reduction of HHPs in our portfolio can be attributed to our internal processes which include continuous evaluation, close monitoring and subsequent phase out along with strong stewardship actions. SEC Filings SEC filings are available free of charge on our website, www.fmc.com.
In 2024, HHPs accounted for approximately 0.1 percent of our total sales. This reduction of HHPs in our portfolio can be attributed to our internal processes which include continuous evaluation, close monitoring and subsequent phase out along with strong stewardship actions. 12 Table of Contents SEC Filings SEC filings are available free of charge on our website, www.fmc.com.
The first of these Rynaxypyr® active containing products, under the trademarks Elevest ® , Vantacor ® , and Altacor ® eVo, were launched in the US and other countries, including Canada and Australia, starting in late 2020 through 2023 and will be launched in additional countries in 2024 onward.
The first of these Rynaxypyr® active containing products, under the trademarks Elevest®, Vantacor®, and Altacor® eVo, were launched in the US and other countries, including Canada and Australia, starting in late 2020 and will be launched in additional countries in 2025 onward.
FMC is committed to the Science Based Target initiative ("SBTi"), Net-Zero Standard, in line with keeping the global temperature at 1.5°C above pre-industrial time and is in alignment with the Paris Agreement. FMC received validation on its near-term and net-zero targets in March of 2023.
FMC has worked with to the Science Based Target initiative ("SBTi"), Net-Zero Standard, in line with keeping the global temperature at 1.5°C above pre-industrial time in alignment with the Paris Agreement. FMC received validation on its near-term and net-zero targets in March 2023.
Our 2035 goals include: 100 percent implementation of sustainable water practices, 100 percent waste to beneficial reuse, and net-zero greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions across the value chain (Scopes 1, 2 and 3).
Our 2035 goals, include: 100 percent implementation of sustainable water practices at all operating sites, 100 percent waste to beneficial reuse, and net-zero greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions across the value chain (Scopes 1, 2 and 3).
Industry Overview The three principal categories of agricultural and non-crop chemicals are: herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, representing approximately 42 percent, 29 percent and 26 percent of global agricultural crop protection market value, respectively.
Industry Overview The three principal categories of agricultural and non-crop chemicals are: herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, representing approximately 41 percent, 29 percent and 27 percent of global agricultural crop protection market value, respectively.
Under Chinese law, the patents remain valid but are not enforceable pending appeal. As of the date of this Form 10-K, we are awaiting a decision from the Beijing IP Court.
Under Chinese law, the patents remain valid but are not enforceable pending appeal. As of the date of this Form 10-K, we are awaiting a decision from the People’s Supreme Court of China.
Unlike patents, ownership rights in trademarks can be continued indefinitely so long as the trademarks are properly used and renewal fees are paid. We actively monitor and manage our patents and trademarks to maintain our rights in these assets and we strategically take aggressive action when we believe our intellectual property rights are being infringed.
Unlike patents, ownership rights in trademarks can be continued indefinitely so long as the trademarks are properly used, and renewal fees are paid. 9 Table of Contents We actively monitor and manage our patents and trademarks to maintain our rights in these assets and we strategically act when we believe our intellectual property rights are being infringed.
Patents are granted by individual jurisdictions and the duration of our patents depends on their respective jurisdictions and payment of annuities. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned a total of approximately 200 active granted U.S. patents and 2,800 active granted foreign patents (includes Supplemental Patent Certificates); we also have approximately 2,300 patent applications pending globally.
Patents are granted by individual jurisdictions and the duration of our patents depends on their respective jurisdictions and payment of annuities. As of December 31, 2024, the Company owned a total of approximately 170 active granted U.S. patents and 2,531 active granted foreign patents (includes Supplemental Patent Certificates); we also have approximately 1,863 patent applications pending globally.
We continue to deploy a multi-pronged strategy to defend that business after active ingredient patent expiration, including enforcement of our patents in many countries which continue to cover chemical intermediates and manufacturing processes that are essential in the production of chlorantraniliprole.
Generic competitors have, in some countries, registered and launched generic versions of our Rynaxypyr® -based products. We continue to deploy a multi-pronged strategy to defend that business after active ingredient patent expiration, including enforcement of our patents in many countries which continue to cover chemical intermediates and manufacturing processes that are essential in the production of chlorantraniliprole.
Employees We employ approximately 6,600 people, which is split across our major geographical regions with 24 percent in North America, 12 percent in Latin America, 24 percent in Europe, Middle East & Africa, and 40 percent in Asia as of December 31, 2023.
Employees We employ approximately 5,700 people, which is split across our major geographical regions with 21 percent in North America, 12 percent in Latin America, 26 percent in Europe, Middle East & Africa, and 41 percent in Asia as of December 31, 2024.
Research and Development Expense The R&D efforts in our business focus on discovering and developing environmentally sound solutions — both new active ingredients and new product formulations — that meet the needs of farmers to maximize yields and control pests. We are continuously investing into our FMC Stine Research Center in Newark, Delaware, to upgrade the site infrastructure and equipment.
Research and Development Expense The R&D efforts in our business focus on discovering and developing environmentally sound solutions — both new active ingredients and new product formulations — that meet the needs of farmers to maximize yields and control pests.
Our 2025 goals include: 100 percent research and development spend on sustainable products, a total recordable incident rate of less than 0.1, and a score of 100 on the Community Engagement Index.
To reflect this commitment, we have established 2025 and 2035 sustainability goals. Our 2025 goals include: 100 percent research and development spend on sustainably advantaged products, a total recordable incident rate of less than 0.1, and a score of 100 on the Community Engagement Index.
Acquisitions and Divestitures We continued to make investments through FMC Ventures, our venture capital arm targeting strategic investments in start-ups and early-stage companies that are developing and applying emerging technologies in the agricultural industry. 4 Table of Contents Financial Information About Our Business (Financial Information in Millions) The following table shows the principal products produced by our business, its raw materials and uses: Product Raw Materials Uses Insecticides Synthetic chemical intermediates Protection of crops, including soybean, corn, fruits and vegetables, cotton, sugarcane, rice, and cereals, from insects and for non-agricultural applications including pest control for home, garden and other specialty markets Herbicides Synthetic chemical intermediates Protection of crops, including cotton, sugarcane, rice, corn, soybeans, cereals, fruits and vegetables from weed growth and for non-agricultural applications including turf and roadsides Fungicides Synthetic chemical intermediates Protection of crops, including cereals, fruits and vegetables from fungal disease Plant Health Biological intermediates Protection of crops, including soybean, corn, fruits and vegetables, cotton, sugarcane, rice, and cereals, from insects and diseases and enhancement of yields The following charts detail our sales by major geographic region and major product category.
The GSS business did not qualify for discontinued operations during 2024. 4 Table of Contents Financial Information About Our Business (Financial Information in Millions) The following table shows the principal products produced by our business, its raw materials and uses: Product Raw Materials Uses Insecticides Synthetic chemical intermediates Protection of crops, including soybean, corn, fruits and vegetables, cotton, sugarcane, rice, and cereals, from insects and for non-agricultural applications including pest control for home, garden and other specialty markets Herbicides Synthetic chemical intermediates Protection of crops, including cotton, sugarcane, rice, corn, soybeans, cereals, fruits and vegetables from weed growth and for non-agricultural applications including turf and roadsides Fungicides Synthetic chemical intermediates Protection of crops, including cereals, fruits and vegetables from fungal disease Plant Health Biological intermediates Protection of crops, including soybean, corn, fruits and vegetables, cotton, sugarcane, rice, and cereals, from insects and diseases and enhancement of yields The following charts detail our sales by major geographic region and major product category.
We also in-license certain active ingredients and other technologies under patents held by third parties, and have granted licenses to certain of our patents to third parties. 8 Table of Contents Our patents cover many aspects of our business, including our chemical and biological active ingredients, intermediate chemicals, manufacturing processes to produce such active ingredients or intermediates, formulations, and product uses, as well as many aspects of our research and development activities that support the FMC new product pipeline.
Our patents cover many aspects of our business, including our chemical and biological active ingredients, intermediate chemicals, manufacturing processes to produce such active ingredients or intermediates, formulations, and product uses, as well as many aspects of our research and development activities that support the FMC new product pipeline.
Environmental Laws and Regulations A discussion of environmental related factors can be found in Item 7 "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and in Note 11 "Environmental Obligations" in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K. 10 Table of Contents Human Capital At FMC, employees are guided by our purpose: Innovation for agriculture; Solutions for the planet .
Environmental Laws and Regulations A discussion of environmental related factors can be found in Item 7 "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and in Note 10 "Environmental Obligations" in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K.
We provide farmers innovative solutions that increase the productivity and resilience of their land. From our industry-leading discovery pipeline to novel biologicals and precision technologies, we are passionate about the power of science to solve agriculture's biggest challenges. Our employees’ belief in this purpose and commitment to our core values are key to the company’s success.
Human Capital At FMC, employees are guided by our purpose: Innovation for agriculture; Solutions for the planet . We provide farmers innovative solutions that increase the productivity and resilience of their land. From our industry-leading discovery pipeline to novel biologicals and precision technologies, we are passionate about the power of science to solve agriculture's biggest challenges.
Several products from our portfolio are based on patent-protected active ingredients and position us to grow well above market patterns. Our complementary technologies combine improved formulation capabilities and a broader innovation pipeline, resulting in new and differentiated products. We continue to take advantage of enhanced market access positions and an expanded portfolio to deliver near-term growth.
Several products from our portfolio are based on proprietary active ingredients with a range of intellectual property protections which should position us to grow well above market patterns. Our complementary technologies combine improved formulation capabilities and a broader innovation pipeline, resulting in new and differentiated products.
During the third quarter of 2022, the China Patent Review Board ("Review Board") issued rulings which held that the two challenged patents were not valid in China. We believe the Review Board’s decisions are seriously flawed both on procedural and substantive grounds and we have appealed the Review Board's decision to the Beijing IP Court.
In 2023, we appealed the Review Board's decision to the Beijing IP Court. The Beijing IP Court upheld the decisions of the Review Board. We believe that the Beijing IP Court’s decisions were seriously flawed both on procedural and substantive grounds and we have appealed the Review Board's decision to the People’s Supreme Court of China.
In several of our pending India patent enforcement cases, defendant infringers have sought to invalidate the asserted FMC patent(s), but as of the date of this Form 10-K no such infringer has prevailed in an invalidation claim.
Given the unique and specific Chinese patent law issues involved, we do not believe the decisions of the lower courts in China would materially adversely impact our enforcement of similar patents in other countries. 10 Table of Contents In several of our pending India patent enforcement cases, defendant infringers have sought to invalidate the asserted FMC patent(s), but as of the date of this Form 10- K no such infringer has prevailed in an invalidation claim.
We have entered into a range of development and distribution agreements with other companies that provide access to new technologies and products which we can subsequently commercialize.
Our external growth efforts include product acquisitions, in-licensing of chemistries and technologies and alliances that bolster our market access, complement our existing product portfolio or provide entry into adjacent spaces. We have entered into a range of development and distribution agreements with other companies that provide access to new technologies and products which we can subsequently commercialize.
The following table provides our long-lived assets by major geographical region: (in Millions) December 31, 2023 2022 Long-lived assets North America $ 1,063.4 $ 1,060.7 Latin America 714.8 759.0 Europe, Middle East, and Africa 1,718.2 1,684.1 Asia 1,964.1 2,018.2 Total $ 5,460.5 $ 5,522.0 5 Table of Contents Products and Markets Our portfolio is comprised of three major pesticide categories: insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.
The following table provides our long-lived assets by major geographical region: (in Millions) December 31, 2024 2023 Long-lived assets (1) North America $ 956.0 $ 1,063.4 Latin America 278.8 714.8 Europe, Middle East, and Africa (2) 3,685.4 1,718.2 Asia 251.0 1,964.1 Total $ 5,171.2 $ 5,460.5 ________________ (1) Geographic long-lived assets exclude long-term deferred income taxes.
Patent challenges in response to enforcement efforts are expected as an ordinary defense tactic in patent enforcement cases; we intend to defend vigorously any diamide patents that are challenged. In early 2022, we received notice that certain third parties were seeking to invalidate our Chinese patents on a certain intermediate involved in producing chlorantraniliprole and a process to produce chlorantraniliprole.
Patent challenges in response to enforcement efforts are expected as an ordinary defense tactic in patent enforcement cases; we intend to defend vigorously any diamide patents that are challenged.
The composition of matter patent that covers chlorantraniliprole (also known as Rynaxypyr ® active) expired in a number of countries in August 2022; this patent will continue to remain in force in other countries throughout the world, expiring on a country-by-country basis at various dates through 2027.
The composition of matter patent that covers chlorantraniliprole (also known as Rynaxypyr® active) expired in a number of countries in August 2022; this patent protection for composition will end in 2027 across all geographies.
Our current diamide pipeline contains approximately 20 new products to be launched this decade and we continue to explore further innovations based on the diamide chemistry. Complexity of manufacturing.
Our current diamide pipeline contains approximately nine new products containing Cyazypyr® active expected to be launched this decade and we continue to explore further innovations based on this diamide chemistry. We anticipate strong growth of Cyazypyr® active due to its patent portfolio, complex manufacturing profile and regulatory data protection in key markets.
We are committed to providing unique, differentiated products to our customers by acquiring and further developing technologies as well as investing in innovation to extend product life cycles. Our external growth efforts include product acquisitions, in-licensing of chemistries and technologies and alliances that bolster our market access, complement our existing product portfolio or provide entry into adjacent spaces.
We are committed to providing unique, differentiated products to our customers by acquiring and further developing technologies as well as investing in innovation to extend product life cycles, introduce new modes of action, and enter new market segments.
At FMC, we embed stewardship at each stage of the product life cycle, and stewardship priorities are built into the core of research and development, portfolio and marketing strategies. We continue to strive for open and transparent communications about our product stewardship successes and challenges. FMC is continuing to phase out Highly Hazardous Pesticides (“HHPs”) from our product portfolio.
This assessment, along with other product stewardship processes and tools, promotes the introduction and use of sustainably advantaged agricultural solutions. We continue to strive for open and transparent communications about our product stewardship successes and challenges. FMC is continuing to phase out Highly Hazardous Pesticides (“HHPs”) from our product portfolio.
We encourage a culture of open reporting, to learn from our mistakes and work towards continuous improvement in behaviors and processes.
Safety Safety is a core value of FMC. We strive for an injury-free workplace, where every person returns home the same way they arrived. We encourage a culture of open reporting, to learn from our mistakes and work towards continuous improvement in behaviors and processes.
FMC’s technology innovation processes capture those innovations and protect them through the most appropriate form of intellectual property rights.
FMC’s technology innovation processes capture those innovations and protect them through the most appropriate form of intellectual property rights. We also in-license certain active ingredients and other technologies under patents held by third parties, and have granted licenses to certain of our patents to third parties.
FMC is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals #2 (Zero Hunger), #8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), #13 (Climate Action) and #15 (Life on Land). FMC has established 2025 and 2035 sustainability goals.
We recognize that sustainability goes beyond reducing emissions, it also encompasses human rights, the importance of nature, including biodiversity and how we utilize scarce resources such as water. FMC is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals #2 (Zero Hunger), #8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), #13 (Climate Action) and #15 (Life on Land).
FMC is committed to discovering new insecticide, herbicide and fungicide active ingredients, product formulations and pioneering technologies that are consistently better for the planet. FMC Strategy We are a tier-one leader and the fifth largest global innovator in the agrochemicals/crop protection market.
FMC’s innovative crop protection solutions help growers produce food, feed, fiber and fuel for an expanding world population while adapting to a changing environment. FMC is committed to discovering new insecticide, herbicide and fungicide active ingredients, product formulations and pioneering technologies that are consistently better for the planet.
These attributes quickly established Rynaxypyr ® active as the world’s leading insect control technology and we expect it to continue a strong growth trajectory notwithstanding the expiration of composition of matter patents covering Rynaxypyr ® active in certain countries which started in late 2022. Our Cyazypyr ® active, a second-generation diamide, is growing quickly as we obtain more product registrations.
Our current diamide pipeline contains approximately eleven new products containing Rynaxypyr® active to be launched this decade and we expect Rynaxypyr® active to continue a steady growth trajectory notwithstanding the expiration of composition of matter patents covering Rynaxypyr® active in certain countries which started in late 2022.
In 2023, Premio ® Star insect control formulation was launched in Brazil and launches in other Latin American countries starting in 2025. Cyazypyr ® active containing brands, under the trademarks Verimark ® , Benevia ® , and Exirel ® were launched in certain southern European countries starting in 2023.
The Cyazypyr® product portfolio continues to be protected by patents and data protection for key global markets. Cyazypyr® active-containing brands, under the trademarks Verimark®, Benevia®, and Exirel® were launched in certain southern European countries starting in 2023.
FMC developed and utilizes its Sustainability Assessment Tool to determine the sustainability of new active ingredients and formulated products in the research and development pipeline. This assessment, along with other product stewardship processes and tools, promotes the introduction and use of environmentally sustainable agricultural solutions.
At FMC, we embed sustainability and stewardship at each stage of the product life cycle, and stewardship priorities are built into the core of research and development, portfolio and marketing strategies. FMC developed and utilizes its Product Sustainability Assessment Tool to evaluate the sustainability attributes of new active ingredients and formulated products in the research and development pipeline.
FMC continually strives to meet the needs of our employees, shareholders, and customers through competitive rewards, policies, and practices that support the company as an employer of choice in every market where we compete for talent. FMC compensates employees through total reward programs that are aligned with performance and competencies.
FMC continually strives to meet the needs of our employees, shareholders, and customers through competitive rewards, policies, and practices designed to attract, retain and motivate exceptional employees and drive both individual and Company performance. Performance-based direct pay programs include competitive base pay, short-term incentives, and long-term incentives.