Porto Nacional, Brazil and Des
Moines, Iowa
June 13, 2007
Continued investment in R&D
brings better genetics and traits to market faster
DuPont today announced it
has opened its newest seed research center in Brazil. The new
center is located in Porto Nacional, Brazil, and will help
DuPont accelerate global research efforts to bring better
genetics and traits to market faster.
“This new center will further strengthen our leadership position
in Brazil and around the world,” said Dean Oestreich , DuPont
vice president and general manager and
Pioneer Hi-Bred president.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, has grown its corn seed
business in the high- value Brazil market by 20 points in eight
years by delivering products that help farmers increase their
productivity.
The research center will focus on winter nursery capabilities
for corn and soybean breeding, drought tolerance and heat stress
research, as well as local product development efforts. It will
be instrumental in bringing new hybrids to market faster as a
centralized site for doubled haploid inbred development – an
approach that accelerates product advancement.
“We’re confident the opportunities in agriculture will continue
to grow in Brazil, including the expansion in soybean
production, the transition from low technology to high
technology corn production and new biotechnology traits,”
Oestreich said. “As DuPont grows its business in Brazil and
around the world, all farmers will benefit from our worldwide
crop genetics, research and development efforts. We have
employees in 70 countries focused on a common goal – to increase
productivity to help meet growing world demand for food, feed,
fuel and materials.”
The research center is planting its first crop in June and will
be fully operational by 2008. It is part of a $100 million
reinvestment plan by DuPont to increase investment in plant
genetics, biotechnology and other high-value growth
opportunities to increase speed-to-market for new seed products.
The plan includes the addition of more than 400 positions
globally, mainly in research and development at Pioneer, and
expanding R&D efforts at 67 of the 92 Pioneer research centers
worldwide.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading
source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers
and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des
Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics
in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded
in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for
people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont
offers a wide range of innovative products and services for
markets including agriculture and food; building and
construction; communications; and transportation. |
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