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Monsanto Cuts Ribbon On Huge New Agtech R&D Facility

  • December 05, 2017

Monsanto, a global agtech company, cut-the-ribbon on its new 400,000 sq. ft. research facility near St. Louis, Missouri. The new building accommodates 13 Controlled Environment Agriculture rooms and 250 research labs, and represents “by far the biggest milestone” within the company’s $400-million expansion that began in 2013, according to the company. The building is also LEED Gold certified.

“What the deal really means, in my mind, is a continued ramp-up of innovation,” said Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant. “This site becomes an R&D engine — even more so than in the last 10 years.”

“With this investment, we are underscoring our commitment to advancing St. Louis as the epicenter for global agricultural innovation,” said Grant. “This facility will be tackling some of the world’s most critical needs, as we look to identify ways to help growers around the world grow crops in more sustainable ways.”

The Chesterfield Research Center focuses on such key areas as plant breeding, biotechnology, agricultural productivity, data science, crop protection and biologicals. Monsanto’s R&D platforms support sustainable agriculture practices with innovation that reduces the footprint of global agriculture production through better harvests and, at the same time, protects harvests from increasing threats from insects, weeds, diseases and environmental variables.

The use of drones, satellites and data is transforming farming as we know it. Missouri companies, like Monsanto’s Climate Corporation, are leading the way in investment and innovation in advanced farming. Big data, smart farming, input optimization, precision ag, prescription ag, biologicals, breeding, green chemistry, green pharmaceuticals – it’s all growing right here.

And its not just technology that makes Missouri the global agtech leader, its also our world-class talent. Universities across the state offer advanced plant science degrees and Missouri is home to the highest concentration of plant science PhDs in the world.

“For nearly two decades, Monsanto has been delivering agricultural innovation around the world from St. Louis,” said Grant. “Once the company’s pending acquisition by Bayer is completed, the global seeds and traits R&D organization for the combined company will be headquartered in St. Louis, along with the agricultural commercial headquarters for North America.”

Once complete, the Bayer/Monsanto merger is expected to create several thousand new high-tech, well-paying jobs in Missouri.

For more information on why Missouri could be a prime location to launch or grow your business, contact Steve Johnson, CEO of Missouri Partnership, at 314.725.2688 or via our contact form, with any questions you might have, and learn how Missouri Partnership can help with your business expansion needs.

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