Source:  RTP BLOG, 6/28/11

9 billion people.

That’s the number fueling Syngenta Biotechnology’s passion and commitment . By the year 2050, its projected that global population will increase to more than 9 billion people from about 6.5 billion today.  That’s a lot of mouths to feed.

“The significance of this event is worldwide, because it will help raise the living standard for the 35 percent of the world population that makes it living from agriculture,” exclaimed Congressman Price on the $70 million expansion of Syngenta’s operations in the Research Triangle Park.

Syngenta says its new 147,000-square-foot research and development complex will provide researchers the environment to pursue new traits that will help farmers grow more from less. The all-glass, climate-controlled greenhouses and precision growth chambers will offer complete control of multiple growth variables, including water, nutrients, light and atmospheric gases.

With great fan fare, over 300 Syngenta employees and partners throughout the region gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremonies. With bag pipes in the background, Syngenta research scientist and greenhouse manager Dawn McNamara dawned the official hardhat and stepped into the big dig. And dig she did! Unturning the earth and whirling around the dig arm a few times, employees roared with laughter and applause, as if they were going to get started and finished right then.
Syngenta changes lives here and worldwide.

“Today is about our expansion, but more importantly our future in this community,” said Katie Seguin, Research Associate as she presented a $30,000 employee pledge to Craig Chancellor, president and CEO of the United Way of the Greater Triangle.

For more information on Syngenta’s RTP expansion, please click here.