At an investors’ conference in New York yesterday, DuPont Executive Vice President Ellen Kullman  reviewed the company’s actions that nearly doubled pre-tax operating margins and return on invested capital since 2003.  Ellen also reaffirmed DuPont’s outlook for the first quarter and full year 2008.

“Our outlook for 2008 is positive and each of our platforms has distinct growth opportunities that are aligned with global growth trends,” Ellen said.  “We are focusing the power of our science and resources on these targets.  We are well positioned to capture value in high growth opportunities like agriculture, safety, and emerging markets.”

Ellenoutlined several of the company’s key initiatives in 2008.  The company’s Agriculture & Nutrition segment is on track to deliver double-digit earnings growth by increasing North America corn trait penetration to 90 percent from 75 percent in 2007; and significantly increasing its offering of triple stacked corn products.  The segment will launch its new, low-dose insecticide Rynaxypyr® among other new products. 

Growth opportunities in emerging markets, new product launches and productivity gains will be vigorously pursued by the company’s Coatings & Color Technologies, Electronic & Communication Technologies and Performance Materials segments.  The company is also pursuing new opportunities in photovoltaics, metal replacement and sustainable and renewable polymers. 

The company’s Safety & Protection segment had many product and market successes in 2007 and redefined its market spaces around four value propositions: Protecting Lives, Sustainable Buildings, Protecting Critical Processes and Protecting the Environment.  By defining markets aligned with these core value propositions, the segment has doubled its addressable market and is developing plans to aggressively pursue the expanded opportunity.