Indianapolis – – September 17, 2026 -- Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) has rejected an attempt by a coalition of State Attorneys General, including California, to block its planned corporate separation, calling the underlying PFAS liability claims "speculative and unproven."
State Attorneys General seek to halt split without pending PFAS trials or judgments
Corteva confirmed that no state petitioning for the injunction holds a judgment against the company related to PFAS liability, nor is any trial currently scheduled. The company stated it has never manufactured, sold, or traded PFOA or PFOS products during its seven-year corporate history.
Separation to create two independent industry leaders
The planned split will result in the crop protection business retaining the Corteva brand, positioned as an innovation-driven leader addressing intensifying pest, disease, and weed pressures threatening global food security. Corteva Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Johnson stated that the company's two business models operate differently and will "better deliver for farmers separately than they do together."
Corteva says balance sheet can absorb any future liability
The company asserted its balance sheet will be adequately capitalized to cover any PFAS-related liability that may arise, and denied any intent to hinder, delay, or defraud creditors through the transaction.
Company vows to defend board authority over transaction decisions
Johnson characterized the states' request as seeking "extraordinary and unprecedented relief" that would require a court to override the judgment of Corteva's Board of Directors and senior management team. Corteva stated it will "vigorously defend" its right to determine its own corporate structure, including the separation.