Governor Minner and Hercules Announce Partnership to Revitalize Company's R&D Center in Delaware

Governor Minner and Hercules Announce Partnership to Revitalize Company's R&D Center in Delaware

Governor Ruth Ann Minner and Hercules Incorporated President and CEO Craig A. Rogerson announced Wednesday a partnership between the state and Hercules that will result in a significant investment to revitalize the Hercules Research Center, the hub of the company's global research activities, located in Wilmington.

"Hercules is an outstanding company and an integral force in our state's chemistry cluster," Gov. Minner said. "The Competitiveness Fund in my New Economy Initiative was tailored to directly support Delaware manufacturing industries that face an increasing competitive climate in the global economy. I am very pleased that the state is continuing its strong relationship with Hercules, and that the company is recommitting and reinvesting in Delaware."

Hercules, a Delaware legacy company since 1912, has enjoyed a strong relationship with the state since the company spun out from DuPont more than 90 years ago. Today, Hercules has grown to become a global company with 35 locations around the world. The company's corporate headquarters is located in Wilmington.

The partnership between Hercules and the state of Delaware includes an estimated $15 million capital investment by Hercules into its Wilmington R&D operation to update their capacity to perform cutting-edge research. Hercules will also consolidate R&D operations from Barneveld, Netherlands to Delaware, and recommit to retaining its corporate headquarters in Delaware. Currently, Hercules employs approximately 650 workers in Delaware. As part of the agreement, Hercules will give five patents to the Emerging Technology Center, which is part of the New Economy Initiative.

"Hercules has a long and proud history in Delaware," Hercules President and CEO Craig Rogerson said. "With pressure on the Research Center from aging facilities and infrastructure, flooding problems and ongoing changes and expansion in global markets, our Wilmington research facilities were at a crossroads. As a result of this partnership with the state we are able to renew our commitment to the site and maintain our Delaware operations as a key part of our growth strategy."

"In choosing to relocate their Netherlands R&D activities to Delaware, Hercules clearly recognized Delaware's pro-business strengths," said Delaware Economic Development Office Director Judy McKinney-Cherry. "Delaware's position as an R&D leader becomes even stronger and our concentration of knowledge workers more potent with this announcement."

A $2 billion global specialty chemical company, Hercules produces and markets chemicals used in making a variety of products for home, office and industrial markets. Its four businesses are Pulp and Paper, Aqualon, FiberVisions and Pinova.

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