USA | Innovation

BASF opens its $33 million facility expansion in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA

State of the art research facilities enable further innovation in crop protection and plant biotechnology

9/4/2013

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 BASF today inaugurated its new research facilities in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina at a grand opening ceremony. This $33 million expansion includes 80,000 square feet of office, laboratory and greenhouse facilities.

“This expansion demonstrates BASF’s strong commitment to Agricultural Solutions and strengthens our research and development capabilities”, said Peter Eckes, President BASF Plant Science. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to our employees, our neighbors and the state of North Carolina.”

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, Commissioner Steve Troxler, U.S. Representative David Price, Mayor of Durham William Bell and other guests from government, business and academia were invited to join BASF employees at the event.

The facilities include a climate-controlled greenhouse and laboratories for plant biotechnology research and a new environmentally-controlled insect production facility to expand insect control research.

“A significant share of BASF’s insecticide research is conducted in RTP. These larger facilities will enable us to evaluate our promising insecticide candidates faster,” said Nevin McDougall, Senior Vice President, BASF Crop Protection North America.

In RTP, BASF manages a total of 480,000 sq. ft. and employs approximately 950 people. RTP serves as headquarters for the North American activities of BASF’s Crop Protection division as well as global headquarters for the Plant Science division. BASF has been a pillar of the North Carolina agricultural industry for the past 27 years, following the 1986 groundbreaking of the site.