Syngenta Group’s largest global R&D investment in Shanghai’s Jinshan district
Syngenta Group has unveiled plans to set up its third global crop protection innovation hub in Shanghai, marking a major expansion of the agricultural tech giant’s research and development capabilities in China and globally.
The new center will focus on developing crop protection products, formulation technologies, and integrated pest management solutions. Its research will span novel chemicals, biologicals, soil health, and sustainable chemistry, with a particular emphasis on rice innovation. The upcoming facility, to be located in Shanghai’s Jinshan district, will join existing centers in Stein, Switzerland and Jealott’s Hill, United Kingdom, the Basel-based company announced yesterday.
The Shanghai center represents “the largest investment in R&D since the formation of Syngenta Group,” Chief Executive Officer Jeff Rowe said in an interview with Yicai. The group was formed in 2020, when Syngenta, Adama, and Sinochem Holdings’ agricultural businesses were merged.
Syngenta signed a framework strategic cooperation agreement with the Jinshan district authorities on Feb 17, while its parent company Sinochem Holdings inked a deal with the city government.
An Open and Global Platform
The Shanghai center will have research laboratories, scientific greenhouses, and climate-controlled chambers, with the first phase scheduled to begin operations in 2028. The facility, which will eventually host 300 researchers from China and abroad, will function as an open innovation platform in collaboration with Chinese universities, research institutions, and industry partners.
Jeff Rowe, Chief executive officer of Syngenta Group emphasized the new center’s role in Syngenta’s global operations. He noted the importance of data exchange and personnel movements between centers. Rowe also pointed out that the ability to enhance Syngenta’s rice expertise will benefit both the Chinese and global markets.
AI-Powered Agriculture
Discussing artificial intelligence’s impact on agriculture, Rowe revealed that Syngenta extensively uses machine learning models in research projects for most of its crop protection products. The Shanghai center will embed AI and digital technologies throughout its operations.
Rowe, also drew attention to the importance of access for small farmers to digital tools, such as satellite imagery, drones, and soil probes to capture more data, especially in China. Rowe said that farmers typically lack access to the best information, adding that these advances allow Syngenta to scale much more efficiently to those farmers.
The Modern Agriculture Platform, or MAP centers, of Syngenta in China illustrates this digital transformation. The company plans to expand these agricultural service centers to 1,000 by 2028, increasing the income of farmers by 8 % over those who do not receive services.
