Einbeck, Germany
August 21, 2025
KWS and United Beet Seeds (UBS) have reached a global constructive resolution of all ongoing disputes concerning patents and trade secrets related to Cercospora and rhizomania resistance traits in sugarbeet. This settlement concludes all proceedings and enables both companies to focus on their respective commercial priorities, continuing to develop improved sugarbeet varieties for their customers.
About KWS
KWS is one of the world’s leading plant breeding companies. Nearly 5,000 employees* in more than 70 countries generated net sales of around €1.68 billion in the fiscal year 2023/2024. A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for almost 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflower. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods to continuously improve yield for farmers and plants’ resistance to diseases, pests and abiotic stress. To that end, the company invested more than €300 million last fiscal year in research and development.
*excl. seasonal workforce
About United Beet Seeds
United Beet Seeds (UBS) is a joint venture, launched in September 2024, between Groupe Florimond Desprez and DLF Seeds A/S and is specialising in all aspects of sugar beet seed research, production, processing and commercialisation. We leverage our combined strengths, extensive expertise and shared passion to expand opportunities for growers and industry in the global beet and chicory seed markets. UBS has a strong focus on innovation and quality, resulting in high performing and sustainable varieties. Headquartered in Belgium, the company employs over 900 people worldwide.
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