Aug 26 2008
DuPont Co. said Monday it is opening two new research centers in Italy and Hungary as part of an effort to boost its seed business in Europe.
DuPont Pioneer Hi-Bred business will add 10 research positions at the centers, which represent an investment of more than $5 million. Twenty-five research employees will transfer from existing locations, and field and lab research capacity is being added.
"DuPont is aggressively investing in research and development to increase farmer productivity and extend our leadership position in corn, sunflower and oilseed rape in Europe," William S. Niebur, vice president of DuPont Crop Genetics Research and Development, said in a statement.
The new research centers are part of a larger increase in research and development across Europe to speed delivery of new, improved products to the market and meet growing demand for food and fuel, the company said.
Pioneer, which has increased its research investment in Europe by more than 10 percent so far in 2008, is expanding research plots by 25 percent, doubling its molecular breeding efforts and adding 36 new employees along with new lab and field equipment, according to DuPont.
One of the centers is in Hodmezovasarhely, Hungary. The other is in Pessina Cremonese, Italy.
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