BASF announced a USD 33 million investment to expand its facilities in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina, USA. Nearly 80,000 sq. ft. (approx. 7,500 m2) of office, laboratory, and greenhouse facilities will support the company’s plant biotechnology and insect control research. Construction is expected to be completed by mid-2013.

A significant share of insecticide research is already conducted in Research Triangle Park. The larger, modernized facilities will ensure comprehensive and faster evaluation of the company’s promising insecticide candidates, thus expanding its development capabilities.

The investment follows the announcement in January to establish BASF Plant Science’s global headquarters at RTP which is in line with the division’s focus on its main markets in North and South America. This is the first in a series of investments that the Agricultural Solutions segment will make in 2012.

• BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany