NEW DELHI/HYDERABAD, India, March 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DuPont will locate its first plant biotechnology research center outside the United States at the new 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 William 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 new Rs 100 crores (over $20 million) 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 $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 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 Balvinder S. Kalsi, President and CEO, DuPont India. "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 plant biotech scientists will move into the DuPont Knowledge Center when it is completed in 2008. The DuPont Knowledge Center will accommodate more than 300 scientists and other employees when fully operational, providing research and development capabilities to help drive the company's business growth in India and around the world. It will be the seventh major DuPont R&D facility outside the United States; the others are located in Shanghai, China; Utsunomiya, Japan; Hsinchu, Taiwan; Kinston, Canada; Wuppertal, Germany; and Meyrin, Switzerland.
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.
Globally, DuPont has more than 75 R&D facilities with over 40 in the United States and more than 35 in 11 other nations. DuPont invests an average of $1.3 billion annually on global research and development in a diverse range of technologies for many markets including agriculture, automotive, construction, electronics, chemicals and industrial materials. Today, DuPont has more than 4,400 scientists and engineers around the world.
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, 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, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers 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.
DuPontCONTACT: India, Krishnakoli Dutta, +91-124-4095004 or mobile,+91-9810502191, krishnakoli.dutta@ind.dupont.com; or U.S., Patrick Arthur,+1-515-334-6515 or mobile, +1-515-422-3955, patrick.arthur@pioneer.com,both of DuPont
Web site: http://www.dupont.com//
