DuPont to expand agricultural research program

Yesterday, both DuPont and Delaware Governor Jack Markell announced that DuPont plans to invest more than $50 million over five years to expand its biotech soybean research and development program in Delaware. The proposed investment supports DuPont’s strategy to increase food productivity for a growing global population.

"This plan includes a significant expansion of our overall biotech research effort,” said John Bedbrook, vice president – DuPont Agricultural Biotechnology.  “It would increase the speed at which we can bring new products to the market and help farmers around the world increase yields through tolerance to environmental stresses, insects and disease.”

The proposed investment will include expanding biotech research facilities at DuPont’s global R&D headquarters, the Experimental Station, in Wilmington and at its Stine Haskell Research Center in Newark, Del.

The expansion plan includes new soybean research laboratories, tissue culture facilities, environmentally controlled growth rooms and greenhouses, which not only benefit soybean R&D efforts but also extend research resources for other core crops.

"For generations, DuPont has helped shape our state's reputation as a cradle of innovation,” Gov. Markell said.  “Their investment will help expand both that reputation and, more importantly, their work force.”