Corteva Categorically Rejects Unfounded, Unprecedented Allegations by State Attorneys General
16 September 2026, Indianapolis: Corteva, Inc. has rejected allegations from a group of U.S. State Attorneys General seeking to prevent the company’s planned separation, which would create two independent businesses.
The States’ challenge is based on alleged liabilities related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Corteva said the claims are speculative and unproven, and argued that the legal theories underlying the request are novel and unsupported.
According to Corteva, California and the other states involved do not currently have judgments against the company related to PFAS liabilities, nor do they have trials scheduled against Corteva on such claims.
The company also stated that, during its seven-year history, it has never manufactured, sold or traded products containing PFOA or PFOS. Corteva said its financial position would allow it to address any liabilities it may ultimately face.
The planned separation would establish a crop protection company that will retain the Corteva name, alongside a separate business focused on seed operations. Corteva said the separation is intended to allow each business to operate under a strategy aligned with its respective business model.
“As we’ve stated from the beginning, our planned separation is an acknowledgement that our two businesses have different business models and will better deliver for farmers separately than they do together,” said Jennifer Johnson, Chief Legal Officer of Corteva. “Corteva neither has nor has demonstrated any intent to hinder, delay, or defraud our creditors.”
Johnson said the company believes businesses should retain the ability to undertake corporate transactions and that the states’ request represents an “extraordinary” form of relief.
Corteva said it intends to defend the planned separation and its ability to proceed with the transaction. The company maintains that the separation is in the interests of its stakeholders and would allow the two businesses to pursue independent strategies following the transaction.
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