Seed research and development center going up in Malta

Syngenta Seeds says construction will be completed by fall 2022

Jeff Helfrich
Posted 7/29/21

Syngenta Seeds broke ground on a research and development innovation center earlier this summer on Illinois 38 between Creston and Malta, a press release said.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Seed research and development center going up in Malta

Syngenta Seeds says construction will be completed by fall 2022

Posted

ROCHELLE — Syngenta Seeds broke ground on a research and development innovation center earlier this summer on Illinois 38 between Creston and Malta, a press release said. 

Farmers and local officials participated in the ceremony and formally kicked off construction of the facility that will be 88-acres and nearly 100,000 square feet. The project was announced in Aug. 2020 and will serve as the home base for Syngenta Seeds’ U.S. research and development. 

“Located in the heart of the U.S. Corn Belt, the center will strengthen Syngenta’s connections and collaborations with farmers,” a Syngenta press release said. “The DeKalb County location, about one hour west of Syngenta’s global and North America Seeds headquarters in Downers Grove, will also facilitate collaborations with the broader agriculture industry.”

According to Syngenta’s site, its ambition is to help safely feed the world and take care of the planet and improve the sustainability, quality and safety of agriculture. It employs 28,000 people in more than 90 countries. 

The facility will “supplement” the work of Syngenta’s over 5,000 R&D employees. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2022 and open by the end of 2022.

Syngenta said the site was selected for its location, soil type and accessibility, and will provide facilities for large-scale events and engagement with growers on corn and soybean technology and innovation.​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​“This new site will enable us to accelerate our innovation in Seeds R&D while strengthening our focus on delivering new capabilities through investments in breeding and digital technologies,” Trevor Hohls, Syngenta global head of seeds development, said in a press release. “This is a strong statement of our commitment to innovation and providing our scientists with the resources to bring the best products and technologies to solve the key problems that growers face.”

The facility will also spotlight how Syngenta is transforming product development through on-farm collaboration with growers, a press release said. 

“I’m really excited about this strategic investment and how it will bring us even closer to the center of the US seeds market, as well as providing access to world-leading agriculture and digital talent in the Midwest,” Justin Wolfe, Syngenta regional director of seeds North America, said in a press release. “We’re committed to US farmers, and this site will allow us to collaborate even more with our customers.”

​​​​​​Syngenta also has a global innovation center in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina and the company opened a new $30 million Trait Conversion Accelerator in Nampa, Idaho in recent years.