Officials with a leading plant sciences company have expanded their presence in Research Triangle Park. cut the ribbon today on new lab, office and greenhouse space. The expansion cost $33 million.
The new addition includes an insect production facility, or an "insect zoo," to aid in testing bug-killing agents. Nigel Armes is BASF's director of research and development. He says the facility is key in establishing the company as a leader in insecticide production.
"It particularly supports our area in biotechnology research which utilizes about two-thirds of the new R and D expansion and another big component is for our insect control research," Armes says.
Armes says BASF's crop protection research is important in North Carolina because of the state's emphasis on agriculture. Dignitaries including Governor Pat McCrory and Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler were on hand for the new facility's unveiling.
