As part of the DuPont strategy to accelerate growth in developing economies, the company announced a new R&D expansion in China to focus on next-generation material developments for photovoltaics, bio-based materials, and automotive applications to meet the rapidly increasing demand for these emerging technologies in the Asia Pacific region. “Asia Pacific and other regions around the world are undergoing transformational change, driven primarily by global population growth and a rising middle class,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Science & Technology Officer Douglas Muzyka. “In fact, 85 percent of this year’s R&D resources supported growth in megatrends related to agricultural productivity, alternative fuels and energy efficient materials, and safety and protection. This is up about 5 percent from last year, the largest single gain being in our seeds business.” “We are responding to the challenges by sharpening our focus to meet the increasing demand for food, to help decrease dependence on fossil fuels, and to help protect people and the environment. This research expansion, along with similar lab expansions in Brazil and India, is another important step to meet specific customer needs in key growth markets,” Muzyka added. “We leverage our knowledge and experience, enhance our technical service capability, upgrade supply chains and our route to market, while continuing to develop local talent,” said Tony Su, DuPont president - Greater China. “The investment is as much in our people as it is in the facility.” “As we build in new capabilities in China, we begin to develop offerings specifically tailored to local market needs; and where it makes sense, invest in manufacturing capability to better serve the local, regional and global customers,” Su added. Opened in 2005, the DuPont China R&D Center is located in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong, Shanghai, one of China’s national level technical parks dedicated to high-tech start-ups and research organizations. Today, the facility operates more than 30 labs with about 200 scientists and technicians, which will double in size creating about 200 additional science and technology jobs within the next two years. They will provide support for research, application development, training, technology transfer and licensing of DuPont technologies for China and Asia Pacific markets. The center also provides an enhanced platform to enable technological exchanges and research collaborations between DuPont and leading Chinese and Asian universities and research institutions. Edited by Constanze Schmitz
