Aventis CropScience

Aventis CropScience was a major global agrochemical and biotechnology company formed in 1999 by the merger of Hoechst Schering AgrEvo and Rhône-Poulenc Agro. Headquartered in Lyon, France, the company focused on crop protection products, including herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides, as well as advanced seed technologies. It was a pioneer in genetically modified crops, notably developing the LibertyLink herbicide-tolerance system. In June 2002, the company was acquired by Bayer for approximately €7.25 billion, becoming the foundation of Bayer CropScience. This acquisition significantly expanded Bayer's footprint in the global agricultural market, particularly in the seeds and traits sector.