WILMINGTON, DE - DuPont Co. announced an agreement to acquire ChemFirst Inc., a supplier of electronic chemicals and materials for the semiconductor industry and specialty intermediates for polyurethanes and other markets, in a cash deal valued at $408 million.

ChemFirst, based in Jackson, MS, reported 2001 sales of $278 million. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Pascagoula, MS; Baytown, TX; Dayton, OH; and Hayward, CA, and also has operations in the United Kingdom and Japan.

DuPont said the acquisition adds high-growth electronics-technologies products to its business portfolio, and said it plans to expand its presence in the electronics industry.