Business News
DuPont, State of Delaware Unveil Innovation Center Partnership
Monday 27. October 2008 - The new DuPont Innovation Center in Wilmington, Del. was designed using LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines and includes more than 30 DuPont materials.
Yesterday, DuPont and Delaware government leaders unveiled their USD 80 million Innovation Center partnership, the latest program in strengthening market-driven science and technology capabilities in Delaware. The partnership includes opening of the DuPont Innovation Center business incubator at the company’s global research and development facility in Wilmington, Del., donating 250 DuPont patents to the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO), and delivering 24 biotechnology seminars for Delaware high school teachers and students.
The DuPont Innovation Center partnership has helped science and technology to grow in Delaware, according to state officials. Since its inception, the partnership has resulted in the training and education of more than 800 teachers and students in new developments in the field of biotechnology. Two of the patents donated to the DEDO Intellectual Property Business Creation Program have been used to create Streamline Industries, a new company that will produce eco-friendly automotive coatings and finishes. DuPont has added 250 employees at the Experimental Station, the company’s largest global research and development center, since the partnership was created in 2005.
“DuPont innovations are transforming global markets faster than ever before in our 206-year history,” said DuPont Chairman and CEO Chad Holliday. “We are thankful to have a partner like the state of Delaware, which values the power of innovation in developing its future economic and educational successes.”
“Our state is fortunate to partner with a global science company like DuPont to bring more jobs to Delaware and help prepare our high school students for careers in the growing field of biotechnology,” said Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner. “Investments in education and business help strengthen our economy, which benefits all the people of Delaware.”
“As we face so many great challenges in our business and financial sectors, there is no better time for a global leader like DuPont to serve as a catalyst for the creation of innovative new technologies and entrepreneurial ventures,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.). “I have always said that it is part of the job of government to create a nurturing environment for business. In that respect, Delaware has a world-class business leader serving as its mentor and partner in our efforts to create the technology-based jobs we need to protect our children’s future economic prosperity.”
A critical component of the partnership was the construction of the DuPont Innovation Center, a new business incubator building which co-locates Applied BioSciences business people next to the scientists creating the company’s new pipeline of renewably sourced products, including biomaterials and biofuels. A USD 6 million grant was provided by the state and matched by a commitment from DuPont to invest USD 80 million in capital projects at the Experimental Station by 2010.