SYNGENTA 6-K


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 6-K


Report of Foreign Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For the month of September 2003

Commission File Number: 001-15152


SYNGENTA AG
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Schwarzwaldallee 215
4058 Basel
Switzerland

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

Form 20-F   X               Form 40-F      

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Yes        No   X  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Yes        No   X  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes        No   X  

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):   N/A  






 

Re:   SYNGENTA AG
Press Release: “Moody’s upgrades Syngenta’s credit rating”

Filed herewith is a press release related to Syngenta AG. The full text of the press release follows:

# # #




SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

  SYNGENTA AG
     
Date: September 19, 2003 By:  /s/ Christoph Mäder
   
    Name:  Christoph Mäder
Title:    General Counsel
     
     
  By:  /s/ Daniel Michaelis
   
    Name:   Daniel Michaelis
Title:     Corporate Counsel






Media Release – Communiqué aux Médias – Medienmitteilung

Moody’s upgrades Syngenta’s credit rating

Basel, Switzerland, September 19, 2003

Moody’s Investor Services has announced that it has upgraded Syngenta’s long-term credit rating from Baa1 to A3.

Domenico Scala, Syngenta’s CFO, commented: "This upgrade recognizes the significant strengthening of Syngenta’s balance sheet since the company’s formation in 2000 as well as the ability to generate strong cash flow.” He added “Moody’s has also acknowledged our successful merger, rapid de-leveraging and improved business performance and quality”.

Standard & Poor’s long-term credit rating for Syngenta is A-.

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2002 were approximately US$6.2 billion. Syngenta employs some 20,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN), London (SYA), New York (SYT) and Stockholm (SYN). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.