Delaware Governor, DuPont CEO Announce $80 Million DuPont Innovation Center Partnership
Program To Create World-Class Science Labs, New Biotechnology Program For Science Students

DOVER, Del., and WILMINGTON, Del.,  June 23, 2005  —  Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner and DuPont Chairman and CEO Charles O. Holliday, Jr. today announced a partnership between the state and DuPont that will include an $80 million capital investment by the company in the Experimental Station Laboratories in Wilmington; a donation of intellectual property to Delaware's Emerging Technology Center; and a new biotechnology program for Delaware high school students.

The five-year capital investment commitment includes the creation of a state-of-the art DuPont Innovation Center on the Experimental Station campus, as well as infrastructure improvements. The Innovation Center will co-locate marketing and technical personnel to incubate new DuPont businesses.

In addition to the Innovation Center, DuPont will make a donation of intellectual property to the Delaware Emerging Technology Center as part of the state's New Economy Initiative. DuPont also will collaborate with the state to conduct biotechnology seminars for high school students, providing six programs per year at the Innovation Center. The Biotechnology Program will begin in 2006.

As part of the partnership, the state would provide $5 million to support the initiative. The partnership between the state and DuPont is contingent on its approval in the Delaware Legislative Bond Bill.

"We are excited about the opportunity to create a state-of-the-art DuPont Innovation Center where we can continue to put our science to work here in Delaware. We are pleased to share some of our intellectual property with the state as a tool to be used in their efforts to recruit other technology companies to the state," Holliday said. "Offering biotechnology seminars for high school students is a critical part of this partnership. Fostering our future scientists with the opportunity to experience science in our labs will provide them so much more than they can learn from a textbook."

"Science and innovation are critical to the future of Delaware's economy. This partnership with DuPont will promote our already strong life science and biotechnology cluster in the state. And it will provide a tremendous opportunity for Delaware to continue its role as a global leader in research and development," Gov. Minner said. "It's good to know new innovations and research that benefits the lives of people from around the world will continue to originate from the work done here in Delaware."

"This partnership and DuPont's $80 million investment will provide a great economic benefit to the state," said Delaware Economic Development Office Director Judy McKinney-Cherry. "DuPont operates more than 40 R&D and customer service labs in the United States and more than 35 labs in 11 countries. This investment will certainly strengthen the Wilmington facility and allow for greater innovations and research opportunities. Further, Chad Holliday was co-chair of the Wilmington Council on Competitiveness. This partnership between DuPont and the state will further one of the charges of this group by spurring new entrepreneurial opportunities by providing proprietary technology packages to the Delaware Emerging Technology Center."

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

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06/23/05