(1/11/16) -- Monsanto Co. is again having difficulty engaging rival Syngenta AG in possible merger talks following a failed pursuit last summer.
A second attempt at negotiating a deal to combine the two crop science giants began last year after John Ramsay, interim CEO for Basel, Switzerland-based Syngenta (NYSE: SYT), said his company was "interested in any value-adding opportunity that exists for us in this industry, which includes Monsanto and many others."
Monsanto, who was rebuffed Syngenta following an extended period of advances last summer, renewed its pursuit of Syngenta, but the company has again proven difficult to engage, Monsanto (NYSE: MON) CEO Hugh Grant told investors this week.
Monsanto is but one suitor, with the China National Chemical Corp. last month increasing a bid for Syngenta, the world's largest pesticide maker which has its North American headquarters in Greensboro, in what would become the largest-ever acquisition by a Chinese company if it's completed.
Under its proposal, ChemChina would take a multi-phased approach by initially purchasing a 70 percent share of Syngenta and reserving the option to buy the remainder of the company at a later date. MORE -->>
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Monsanto Pursuit of Syngenta Remains Difficult
