JOHNSTON, Iowa — In a move to assist Iowa’s young farmers, DuPont opened a $40 million plant genetics research facility in Johnston to further support its commitment to increasing agricultural productivity and food security worldwide.

“On behalf of the state of Iowa, I join Pioneer and its employees in celebrating this exciting new research facility and the jobs it brings to the state,” said Gov. Terry Branstad at its opening ceremony April 9. “DuPont is a global company and their growth in Iowa affirms its dedication to creating opportunities right here at home.”

Branstad was joined by Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Paul Schickler, president of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

“This is an example of the growth that will keep Iowa youth in the state to be a part of a global company that is working with farmers and scientists to feed the world,” Branstad added.

The new 200,000 square-foot state-of-the-art lab will employ experts in plant physiology, molecular biology and bioinformatics, as the research facility will focus on plant breeding and the development of new transgenic products. Together, Schickler said, these groups are discovering, developing and testing the newest products and traits in Pioneer’s research and development pipeline.

“Beaver Creek (Park) will take DuPont’s research and development efforts in seed and plant genetics to the next level and ensure we are consistently providing new solutions and products to farmers and communities around the world,” he said. “Pioneer is dedicated to providing the right product for the right acre, and this new facility in Johnston will advance that mission.”

In Iowa, Pioneer has increased its workforce by 1,400 during the last five years. DuPont also will expand Pioneer’s office and laboratory facilities in the state by 425,000 square feet, with the addition of Beaver Creek National Resource Area (a 156-acre prairie and woods land) and the doubling of its greenhouse and research offices in Johnston.

Company officials said approximately 400 new jobs will be created through the increased research and development capabilities housed in the new Iowa County lab. “The opening of the Beaver Creek research facility is another example of DuPont’s commitment to feeding the world through innovation,” they said in a statement.

As part of its targeted food security goals announced earlier this year, DuPont will invest $10 billion globally in research and development dedicated to the food, agriculture and nutrition sectors by the end of 2020. According to a report released in March by company officials, last year resulted in the most patents in the company’s history, with DuPont named the No. 1 innovator by the U.S. Patent Board.

In 2011, DuPont had a record-breaking year with 910 new U.S. patents granted – an increase of 32 percent over the previous year, breaking the record set in 1966 when the company was awarded 780 U.S. patents.

“DuPont is focusing its science powerhouse to meet customers’ and market needs in food, energy and protection,” said Douglas Muzyka, DuPont chief science and technology officer. “For the second year in a row, the combination of U.S. patent grants and applications were the highest in DuPont history.

“Our U.S. grants are up 125 percent over the past 10 years, a sign of the continued quality and novelty of DuPont science. It is all made possible by the excellent collaborative work among our scientists, expert patent team and our marketing teams.”