Wilmington, Delaware
March 14, 2007
DuPont will locate its first
plant biotechnology research center outside the United States at
the recently announced DuPont Knowledge Center, in Hyderabad,
India.
"The global
demand for agricultural crops is very strong. We have the
science to help farmers and others across the value chain meet
that growing demand, and this research center will help us do
that faster," said
Bill Niebur, vice president, DuPont Crop Genetics Research
and Development.
Twenty DuPont
crop genetics scientists already have begun working at
temporarily leased facilities near the site where the DuPont
Knowledge Center will be built. By year-end, DuPont expects the
number of crop genetics scientists on site to grow to nearly 100
as part of its USD 100 million reinvestment plan. The plan will
add more than 400 global positions, mainly in research and
development, to increase the speed-to-market for new seed
products.
DuPont today
has major plant biotech research centers in Delaware, Iowa and
California, along with 90 plant genetics research centers around
the globe. Plant biotech scientists at the DuPont Knowledge
Center in India will develop biotech traits and technologies
that will be incorporated into multiple crops for markets around
the world. The trait discovery work conducted on site will help
create advanced seed products to meet the growing global demand
for increased food production, improved animal feed products and
expanding energy needs.
"This
research facility reinforces the importance of India as a global
center of scientific excellence," said DuPont India President
and CEO Balvinder Kalsi. "The center will allow us to access
tremendous scientific talent in this region in support of
DuPont's efforts to create products that address the food, feed,
fuel and materials challenges of the 21st Century."
The DuPont
Knowledge Center is expected to house research programs for
several businesses, including subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred
International, DuPont Crop Protection, Chemical Solutions
Enterprise, Electronic Technologies, Surfaces, Building
Innovations, Titanium Technologies, and Performance Coatings. |
|
