The center will be located near the Research Triangle Park in Cary, North Carolina where the company will invest $36 million over the next three years and create 100 new research and development jobs.
Novozymes business development executive vice president Thomas Videbaek noted that the world needs sustainable agricultural solutions now more than ever before.
"By boosting our research and development of environmentally-friendly microbial technology, we will help farmers meet this demand sooner rather than later. The new R&D center in North Carolina is a concrete step to help speed our technology to market from a state with a long history of agricultural innovation," Videbaek added.
Scientists at the new site in North Carolina will research and develop beneficial microorganisms found in the soil. The resulting technology will focus on improved crop yield, fertility and pest control for growers around the world. The significant expansion of R&D resources will enable Novozymes’ scientists to pursue more and better biological solutions for the ever-changing challenges facing global agriculture.
The location of the new facility will give Novozymes access to one of the largest biotech clusters in the U.S. Established in 1959, The Research Triangle Park (RTP) was created to attract and grow research and development operations in North Carolina.
RTP is home to more than 170 global companies that foster a culture of scientific advancement and competitive excellence and is located between three major universities: Duke University in Durham, North Carolina State University in Raleigh, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $400,000. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state.
Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.