ANDERSON – In addition to an expansion of its production facility, Italpollina has announced it is planning to construct a research center in Anderson.
Italpollina began constructing its North American headquarters in Anderson in March 2016 and now plans to develop a research center specializing in the sciences such as phenomics and metabolomics, the very basis of Italpollina’s product development process.
Italpollina Park will be constructed adjacent to the company’s new North American headquarters, a 70,000-square-foot facility that will provide the world’s largest production capacity of its type.
Italpollina has invested $9.2 million in the Anderson facility, which is expected to start production by the end of the year and employ 35 people.
The park will also situate near the new Purdue Polytechnic Anderson facility, a direct extension of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute of Purdue University.
Italpollina Park will be the hallmark indication of the company’s commitment to the development of the U.S. market and to the advancement of the industry as a whole.
Luca Bonini, CEO of Italpollina, previously said the company is planning to invest $6 million in Anderson for an 80,000-square-foot expansion of its current production facility.
Greg Winkler, executive director of the Anderson Economic Development Department, said Wednesday that work on expanding the production facility is expected to start this winter.
He said a timeline for construction of the research center has not been determined.
A greenhouse and many growth chambers will be built, creating new-generation biostimulants for the North American market, as well as for the more than 80 countries where the company is present. Researchers will also have the opportunity to test new solutions in the fields, with the most advanced technologies, including hyperspectral sensors installed on drones.
The park will feature a Convention and Training Center, which will provide a place for training on new products and technical demonstrations, as well as for research and industry regulation collaboration. The park will be completed with an exhibit space, dedicated to the 50-year history of Italpollina and based around the theme of “Innovation in Agriculture.”
“The park project represents further confirmation of our commitment to being a leader in sustainable and environmentally responsible agriculture,” Bonini said in a press release. “We are proud to announce the creation of Italpollina Park, a unique industrial and scientific center that will be a world landmark for the sector, and set the highest standards in the biostimulants market.”
Italpollina is an Italian company and global leader in the production of organic fertilizers, biostimulants and beneficial microbials.