DuPont to establish new innovation centre at Pune

DuPont, wholly-owned subsidiary of the US-based E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, plans to set up a new innovation centre in Pune focusing primarily on the automotive segment. The centre will work with automotive OEMs and component and system manufacturers to support the fast growing Indian automotive industry. The DuPont India Innovation Center will be located in Pune and will focus primarily on the automotive segment, working collaboratively with local partners, customers and other companies. It will be one among four new global DuPont Innovation Centers in Asia Pacific. “India is of strategic importance to DuPont. In 2008, we set up a world-class DuPont Knowledge Centre in the country focusing on high-end research & applications development. Our decision to set up the Innovation Centre this year is part of our strategy to support and resource our growth plans in one of the world’s fastest growing economies,” said Balvinder Kalsi, President – South Asia, DuPont. “The DuPont India Innovation Center will respond to the needs of our customers. It will primarily focus on the automotive segment, collaborating with auto-companies to help address their demands for new technology innovations that are required to support the growth in one of the world’s fastest growing automotive markets”, said Amandeep Cheema, Business Leader, DuPont Performance Polymers – India, and Project Leader for DuPont India Innovation Centre. The new technical facility will foster an exchange of ideas and enhance speed of response to our customers. The real-time connection between customers and DuPont scientists around the world will mean innovative solutions and increased speed to market for consumers. “The global population has grown to 7 billion, generating great need for food, energy and protection. We realize that meeting these needs will require more than science. Globally, we are committed to leading collaborative and inclusive innovations to respond to the challenges facing the world today. Collaboration is the driving force behind establishing the country focused Innovation Centres,” said Thomas M. Connelly, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, DuPont. He added, “The facility will demonstrate the problem-solving might of private/public alliances, serve as a catalyst for growth in these regions and serve to uncover unmet needs that will improve the lives of people everywhere.” DuPont India has over 1900 employees (as of end-2010), six production facilities in three locations and a DuPont Knowledge Center in Hyderabad focusing on high-end research and applications development, which the company set up in 2008.