Novozymes' new R&D site headed for RTP,US

The new R&D facility planned by industrial enzyme maker Novozymes facility is landing in Research Triangle Park rather than its previously announced location in Cary.

A spokeswoman for the Danish company, Paige Donnelly, wrote in an email that the new R&D site will be at 9000 Development Drive in RTP. Details on why the location was switched weren't immediately available.

Novozymes already has hired 85 workers for the facility, which is expected to open in the latter half of 2015, and is still targeting 100 employees for the site, Donnelly wrote. The company plans to invest $36 million in the site over three years.

Novozymes announced in April last year that it planned to hire 100 workers at a new R&D site in Cary. The following month the Cary Town Council unanimously agreed to award Novozymes up to $375,000 in incentives, contingent upon the company meeting its investment and employment targets - part of a $2.3 million package of state and local incentives.

At the time, Adam Monroe, president of the Americas region for Novozymes, told The News & Observer the Triangle was chosen because of its proximity to research universities and agricultural scientists.

The R&D facility is expected to house scientists who analyze and select microorganisms that will be coated onto seeds or paired with seeds sold worldwide by agricultural giant Monsanto. Novozymes and Monsanto announced their partnership a year ago.