Monsanto

Corporate brand

Former American agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology company best known for Roundup herbicide and genetically engineered crop seeds.

Last updated November 4, 2026

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First read: Oct 29, 2026
Latest read: Nov 3, 2026

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Overview

Monsanto was an American chemical, agrochemical, seed, and agricultural biotechnology company founded in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1901 by John Francis Queeny. It began by manufacturing commodity chemicals and food additives, including saccharin, caffeine, and vanillin, before expanding into industrial chemicals, plastics, agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. The company’s early corporate history included the manufacture of products that later became highly controversial, including DDT, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Agent Orange components, and recombinant bovine growth hormone. During the first half of the twentieth century, Monsanto expanded its chemical operations through acquisitions and international partnerships. It entered PCB production after acquiring Swann Chemical Company in 1935 and later developed substantial capabilities in industrial research. Its Dayton laboratories participated in research associated with the Manhattan Project during the Second World War. After the war, the company marketed detergents, synthetic materials, and industrial chemicals, and it established a major position in polyurethane production through its Mobay partnership with Bayer. Monsanto also played a role in the development of LED technology, synthetic turf, the Monsanto process for producing acetic acid, and pharmaceutical research. Its scientists developed an industrial process for producing L-dopa, a treatment for Parkinson’s disease; work associated with this research contributed to William S. Knowles receiving the 2001 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. From the 1960s through the 1980s, Monsanto remained closely associated with large-scale chemical manufacturing. It produced Agent Orange for the U.S. military during the Vietnam War and ceased PCB production in 1977. Environmental and public-health disputes surrounding these products later became major parts of the company’s reputation. In parallel, Monsanto began shifting toward life sciences and agricultural biotechnology. Its researchers helped create some of the earliest genetically modified plant cells and conducted early field trials of genetically engineered crops. The company’s strategic transformation accelerated in the 1980s and 1990s. Under chief executives including Richard Mahoney and Robert Shapiro, Monsanto acquired biotechnology, seed, pharmaceutical, and agricultural businesses while divesting many traditional chemical operations. Important transactions included the acquisition of G.D. Searle, Agracetus, Calgene, Dekalb, Cargill’s international seed business, and other seed companies. Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide introduced in the 1970s, became Monsanto’s most recognizable product, while glyphosate-tolerant crops and proprietary seed traits became central to its agricultural business model. In 1999, Monsanto agreed to merge with Pharmacia & Upjohn. Pharmacia subsequently separated the agricultural business into a new Monsanto, while the pharmaceutical activities eventually became part of Pfizer. The post-2000 Monsanto focused primarily on seeds, crop traits, herbicides, and farm technology. It expanded through purchases such as Seminis, Delta and Pine Land, De Ruiter Seeds, Precision Planting, and The Climate Corporation. These businesses gave Monsanto positions in vegetable seeds, cotton, commercial seeds, precision planting, digital agriculture, and weather-based farm services. Monsanto was also criticized for patent-based seed licensing, genetically modified crops, lobbying, alleged conflicts involving regulators, and the environmental and health effects associated with glyphosate, dicamba, PCBs, and earlier chemical products. Public protests under the March Against Monsanto banner took place internationally in 2013 and 2014. Monsanto unsuccessfully attempted to acquire Syngenta in 2015. In 2016, Bayer agreed to acquire Monsanto for approximately $66 billion in cash. Regulatory approval was obtained in the United States and European…

History

Monsanto was established in St. Louis in 1901 by John Francis Queeny and initially operated as a chemical and food-additives manufacturer. Saccharin, caffeine, and vanillin were among its early products. During the interwar period it expanded into industrial chemicals, sulfuric acid, plastics, and PCBs. Acquisitions and research partnerships strengthened its technical base, including the purchase of Swann Chemical Company and Thomas & Hochwalt Laboratories. During the Second World War, Monsanto laboratories participated in research connected with the Manhattan Project. After 1945, Monsanto diversified into detergents, synthetic materials, polyurethane, agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. It manufactured DDT from 1944 and later produced PCBs, both of which became central to environmental controversy. The company also manufactured Agent Orange for the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. At the same time, Monsanto developed technologies with longer-term scientific and commercial significance, including LED components, synthetic turf, the Monsanto acetic-acid process, and an industrial method for producing L-dopa. Monsanto’s transition into agricultural biotechnology began in earnest during the 1980s. Its researchers were among the first to genetically modify plant cells and to conduct field trials of genetically engineered crops. The company increasingly adopted a biotechnology business model in which patents, licensing, seed development, and crop traits were used to recover research and development costs. Acquisitions of G.D. Searle, Agracetus, Calgene, Dekalb, and Cargill’s international seed business expanded its capabilities in pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, corn, soybeans, cotton, and international seed distribution. Roundup, introduced in the 1970s, became Monsanto’s best-known commercial product. The company later developed crops engineered to tolerate glyphosate, enabling farmers to use the herbicide over growing crops. This system became commercially important but also generated disputes over herbicide resistance, biodiversity, patent enforcement, farmer independence, and potential health and environmental effects. Monsanto also commercialized recombinant bovine somatotropin under the Posilac brand and developed vegetable, cotton, and field-crop seed portfolios. The 1999 merger with Pharmacia & Upjohn reorganized Monsanto’s businesses. Pharmacia separated the agricultural operations into a new Monsanto, while the pharmaceutical activities were later absorbed into Pfizer. The post-2000 company concentrated on seeds, crop-protection products, biotechnology traits, precision agriculture, and farm data. It acquired Seminis, Delta and Pine Land, De Ruiter Seeds, Precision Planting, and The Climate Corporation, while cooperating with BASF on biotechnology research and commercialization. The company’s public profile was shaped as much by controversy as by innovation. Historical production of PCBs, DDT, and Agent Orange generated environmental claims and litigation. Later disputes focused on genetically modified crops, seed patents, lobbying, regulatory relationships, glyphosate, dicamba, and alleged failures to disclose risks. International demonstrations organized under the March Against Monsanto name reflected opposition to the company’s agricultural model. Bayer agreed to acquire Monsanto in 2016. The transaction required divestitures to satisfy competition regulators and closed on June 7, 2018. Bayer retired the Monsanto name and integrated the agricultural operations into its own business. Monsanto consequently became a defunct independent company, while products, patents, assets, and liabilities associated with it continued under Bayer.

2018
Monsanto name is retired
[2]Bayer completes acquisition of Monsantobayer.com
Bayer completes the acquisition and discontinues Monsanto as a corporate name.
2016
Bayer agrees to acquisition
[3]Bayer to acquire Monsantobayer.com
Bayer announces an agreement to acquire Monsanto for approximately $66 billion in cash.
2013
International protests
[4]March Against Monsantoen.wikipedia.org
March Against Monsanto demonstrations occur in hundreds of cities.
2005
Seminis acquisition
[1]Monsantoen.wikipedia.org
Monsanto acquires Seminis, expanding its global vegetable and fruit seed business.
2000
New Monsanto is separated
[1]Monsantoen.wikipedia.org
Pharmacia spins off an agricultural biotechnology company operating under the Monsanto name.
1999
Merger with Pharmacia & Upjohn
[1]Monsantoen.wikipedia.org
Monsanto agrees to combine with Pharmacia & Upjohn, leading to the later separation of the agricultural business.
1996
Expansion into major seed businesses
[1]Monsantoen.wikipedia.org
Monsanto acquires Agracetus and begins acquiring a controlling interest in Dekalb.
1987
Early field trials of genetically modified crops
[1]Monsantoen.wikipedia.org
Monsanto conducts some of the first field trials of genetically engineered crops.
1983
Early plant genetic engineering
[1]Monsantoen.wikipedia.org
Monsanto scientists are among the first groups to introduce genes into plant cells.
1970
Roundup herbicide is developed
[1]Monsantoen.wikipedia.org
Monsanto develops glyphosate-based Roundup, later its most recognizable product.
1944
DDT manufacturing begins
[1]Monsantoen.wikipedia.org
Monsanto begins producing DDT, which is later banned in the United States.
1935
Entry into PCB production
[1]Monsantoen.wikipedia.org
Monsanto enters the PCB business through its acquisition of Swann Chemical Company.
1901
Monsanto is founded
[1]Monsantoen.wikipedia.org
John Francis Queeny establishes Monsanto in St. Louis as a chemical company.

Products and positioning

Agricultural biotechnology and farm-input company focused on proprietary seeds, crop traits, herbicides, and data-enabled farming.

Herbicide · 1970
Roundup
Roundup is a glyphosate-based herbicide introduced by Monsanto in the 1970s. It became one of the world’s most recognizable weed-control products and was sold for agricultural, commercial, and consumer uses. Its commercial importance increased alongside Monsanto’s development of crops engineered to tolerate glyphosate. The product later became the subject of extensive litigation and regulatory debate concerning alleged links between glyphosate exposure and cancer, as well as questions about product warnings and corporate conduct.
Genetically engineered crop technology · 1996
Roundup Ready
Roundup Ready refers to Monsanto crop varieties engineered to tolerate glyphosate applications. The technology was deployed in major crops including soybeans, maize, cotton, and canola. It enabled farmers to control weeds using glyphosate without killing the engineered crop and became a foundation of Monsanto’s integrated seed-and-herbicide business. The system also prompted disputes about patent licensing, herbicide resistance, agricultural concentration, and environmental impacts.
Field-crop seeds
Dekalb
Dekalb was a major seed business centered on corn and other field crops. Monsanto acquired an initial stake in 1996 and purchased the remaining interest in 1998. The brand supplied commercial farmers with conventional and genetically engineered seed varieties and became part of Monsanto’s global crop-seed portfolio.
Vegetable seeds
Seminis
Seminis was a leading international vegetable-seed company acquired by Monsanto in 2005. Its portfolio covered a broad range of vegetable and fruit crops developed through conventional breeding and related seed technologies. The acquisition strengthened Monsanto’s position beyond commodity crops and gave it a major global platform in commercial horticultural seeds.
Cotton seed traits
Bollgard
Bollgard is a Monsanto cotton technology incorporating an insect-protection trait. It was marketed through cotton seed varieties and formed part of Monsanto’s broader strategy of combining proprietary genetics with crop-protection characteristics. Cotton traits and germplasm became a major area of Monsanto’s agricultural biotechnology business through acquisitions and internal development.
Digital agriculture
The Climate Corporation
The Climate Corporation provided data-driven agricultural services based on weather modeling, historical information, and farm data. Monsanto acquired the company in 2013 as part of its expansion into precision agriculture. Its technology was intended to help farmers make decisions about planting and field management and illustrated Monsanto’s move beyond physical inputs into software and analytics.

Controversies

2026
Monsanto secures defense verdict in Roundup trial
A Missouri jury returned a unanimous defense verdict in favor of Monsanto in a Roundup-related trial. The case involved claims of design defect, fraud and negligence. The verdict was reported as Monsanto's first Roundup trial win since the Supreme Court's Durnell ruling. The jury found for the defense on the claims presented.
Source
2026
Missouri jury returns verdict for Monsanto in Roundup trial
A Missouri circuit court jury returned a unanimous verdict for Monsanto in a case brought by three plaintiffs involving Roundup. The jury found for Monsanto on the design-defect, fraud and negligence claims pursued at trial.
Source
2022
Los Angeles files lawsuit over alleged PCB contamination
Los Angeles filed a lawsuit against Monsanto Company, Solutia Inc. and Pharmacia LLC, alleging that Monsanto polluted city waterways with PCBs and seeking repayment of cleanup-related costs and abatement of the alleged public nuisance. These are allegations in the lawsuit.
Source
2021
Delaware sues Monsanto over PCB contamination
In 2021, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings filed a lawsuit against Monsanto and two corporate spinoffs, seeking damages and cleanup costs for alleged long-lasting damage to Delaware's natural resources from PCBs. The lawsuit alleges that Monsanto knew of the chemicals' dangers and continued to manufacture and sell them.
Source
2021
Maryland sues Monsanto over alleged harm to natural resources
Maryland's attorney general filed a lawsuit against Monsanto and two spinoffs, alleging that chemicals Monsanto manufactured harmed the state's waters, fish and wildlife and seeking damages and clean-up costs. Bayer, Monsanto's parent company, said the lawsuit was without merit and denied that Monsanto manufactured, used or disposed of PCBs in Maryland.
Source
2021
French data protection agency fines Monsanto over watch lists
France's personal data protection agency, CNIL, fined Monsanto 400,000 euros over files compiled on public figures, journalists and activists. CNIL said Monsanto failed to inform people on the lists and deprived them of the right to refuse being listed.
Source
2021
Proposed Roundup false-labeling class-action settlement
Plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against Monsanto asked the court for preliminary approval of a proposed $45 million settlement concerning allegations that Monsanto failed to warn Roundup users about claims linking the product to cancer. The settlement remained subject to approval; Monsanto denied the allegations and liability.
Source
2021
Monsanto responds to allegations over settlement agreement
Monsanto asked the Eleventh Circuit to allow it to file its settlement agreement with John Carson under seal and argued that allegations about the agreement were incomplete, misleading, and in some respects inaccurate.
Source
2020
D.C. sues Monsanto over PCB pollution allegations
The District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against Monsanto and affiliated companies, alleging that they knowingly manufactured, promoted and sold toxic chemicals that polluted local waterways. Bayer, which acquired Monsanto, denied that Monsanto used or dumped PCBs into the District's waterways and said it would respond to the complaint.
Source
2020
Bayer reaches settlements over Roundup, dicamba and PCB claims
Bayer reached settlements resolving claims involving Roundup, dicamba-related crop damage and PCB pollution. The Roundup settlement addresses claims alleging the weed killer caused cancer; the source says the agreement includes no admission of liability. Bayer will pay farmers $400 million for dicamba crop-damage claims and roughly $650 million to resolve PCB waterway-pollution cases, with a separate $170 million agreement concerning PCB claims by three government plaintiffs.
Source

Marketing campaigns

2014Second March Against Monsanto
International
A second wave of demonstrations continued opposition to Monsanto, genetically engineered food, glyphosate, and corporate control of seeds.
Outcome. The campaign sustained international media and activist attention.
Source
2013March Against Monsanto
United States · Europe · Latin America · Asia-Pacific
A coordinated international protest movement criticized genetically modified crops, glyphosate, seed patents, corporate influence, and agricultural regulation. Demonstrations were reported in more than 400 cities, making the campaign a prominent expression of public opposition to Monsanto’s business model.
Outcome. The protests increased public attention around Monsanto and agricultural biotechnology but did not directly change the company’s corporate structure or product portfolio.
Source

Brand decisions

2016
Agreement to be acquired by BayerM&A
Background
Monsanto sought a major strategic combination as agricultural-input companies consolidated globally.
Action taken
Monsanto agreed to Bayer’s all-cash acquisition offer, subject to competition and regulatory approval.
Aftermath
The transaction closed in 2018 after divestitures, and Bayer retired the Monsanto corporate name.
Transaction value. $66 billion (Announced 2016; completed 2018)
Source
2015
Attempted acquisition of SyngentaM&A
Background
Monsanto pursued a combination with Swiss agricultural biotechnology and crop-protection company Syngenta to broaden its global agricultural platform.
Action taken
Monsanto made proposals valued at approximately $46.5 billion but ultimately abandoned the approach after Syngenta rejected the offers.
Aftermath
Monsanto remained independent until Bayer agreed to acquire it the following year.
Source
2013
Acquisition of The Climate CorporationM&A
Background
Monsanto aimed to add software, weather modeling, and data analytics to its agricultural-input business.
Action taken
Monsanto acquired The Climate Corporation and incorporated digital agriculture capabilities.
Aftermath
The acquisition supported Monsanto’s expansion into precision farming and farm-management services.
Acquisition price. $930 million (2013)
Source
2005
Acquisition of SeminisM&A
Background
Monsanto sought to expand from field crops into commercial vegetable and fruit seeds.
Action taken
Monsanto acquired Seminis and added its international vegetable-seed portfolio.
Aftermath
The transaction made Monsanto a leading conventional vegetable-seed supplier.
Acquisition price. $1.4 billion (2005)
Source
1997
Refocus on biotechnology and agricultureStrategy
Background
Monsanto was divesting traditional chemical operations and seeking growth through patented biotechnology, seeds, and crop traits.
Action taken
The company concentrated investment and acquisitions on agricultural biotechnology while separating or selling unrelated chemical businesses.
Aftermath
This strategy established Monsanto as a major global seed and crop-trait company but increased its exposure to regulatory, patent, and public-policy disputes.
Source

Recent events

2026.10.30
Reported2026.10.30
Monsanto secures defense verdict in Roundup trial[15]Monsanto secures defense verdict in Roundup trialrttnews.com
A Missouri jury returned a unanimous defense verdict in Monsanto's favor in a Roundup-related trial involving claims of design defect, fraud and negligence.
2026.10.29
Reported2026.10.30
Jury rules for Bayer in Roundup cancer trial[16]Monsanto secures defense verdict in Roundup trialksevradio.com
A St. Louis jury unanimously ruled for Bayer-owned Monsanto in a trial over claims that Roundup caused cancer. Bayer denied the claims.
2026.10.29
Reported2026.11.03
Missouri jury returns verdict for Monsanto in Roundup trial[19]Missouri jury returns verdict for Monsanto in Roundup trialhpj.com
A Missouri circuit court jury returned a unanimous verdict for Monsanto in a case brought by three plaintiffs involving Roundup. The jury found for Monsanto on the design-defect, fraud and negligence claims pursued at trial.
Unconfirmed
Los Angeles files lawsuit over alleged PCB contamination[20]Los Angeles files lawsuit over alleged PCB contaminationkfiam640.iheart.com
Los Angeles filed a lawsuit against Monsanto Company, Solutia Inc. and Pharmacia LLC, alleging that Monsanto polluted city waterways with PCBs and seeking repayment of cleanup-related costs and abatement of the alleged public nuisance. These are allegations in the lawsuit.
2022.03.04
Reported2022.03.08
Los Angeles files PCB contamination lawsuit against Monsanto[21]Los Angeles files lawsuit over alleged PCB contaminationlaist.com
The city of Los Angeles sued Monsanto and two other companies seeking compensation for past and future costs related to PCB contamination of waterways. The city alleges that PCBs continue to enter local waterways and soils. Bayer said it was reviewing the lawsuit and believed it was without merit, and denied that Monsanto manufactured, used, or disposed of PCBs in Los Angeles waters.
2021.11.23
Reported2021.11.24
Maryland sues Monsanto over alleged harm to natural resources[18]Maryland sues Monsanto over alleged harm to natural resourcesnbcwashington.com
Maryland’s attorney general filed a lawsuit against Monsanto and two spinoffs, alleging that chemicals Monsanto manufactured harmed the state’s waters, fish and wildlife and seeking damages and clean-up costs. Bayer, Monsanto’s parent company, said the lawsuit was without merit and denied that Monsanto manufactured, used or disposed of PCBs in Maryland.
2021.09.22
Reported2021.09.23
Delaware sues Monsanto over PCB contamination[17]Delaware sues Monsanto over PCB contaminationnews.delaware.gov
Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings filed a lawsuit against Monsanto and two corporate spinoffs, seeking damages and cleanup costs for alleged long-lasting damage to Delaware's natural resources from PCBs. The lawsuit alleges that Monsanto knew of the chemicals' dangers and continued to manufacture and sell them.
2021.07.28
Reported2021.07.28
French data protection agency fines Monsanto over watch lists[22]French data protection agency fines Monsanto over watch listsibtimes.com
France's personal data protection agency, CNIL, fined Monsanto 400,000 euros over files compiled on public figures, journalists and activists. CNIL said Monsanto failed to inform people on the lists and deprived them of the right to refuse being listed.
Unconfirmed
Reported2021.06.16
Proposed Roundup false-labeling class-action settlement[23]Proposed Roundup false-labeling class-action settlementlawstreetmedia.com
Plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against Monsanto asked the court for preliminary approval of a proposed $45 million settlement concerning allegations that Monsanto failed to warn Roundup users about claims linking the product to cancer. The settlement remained subject to approval; Monsanto denied the allegations and liability.
2021.04.28
Reported2021.04.29
Monsanto responds to allegations over settlement agreement[24]Monsanto responds to allegations over settlement agreementlawstreetmedia.com
Monsanto asked the Eleventh Circuit to allow it to file its settlement agreement with John Carson under seal and argued that allegations about the agreement were incomplete, misleading, and in some respects inaccurate.

Sources38 sources

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