DuPont produces food-grade ingredients, including emulsifiers and enzymes, at its facility in New Century AirCenter, where the company also has research and development, innovation, sales and back office operations.

In 2011, DuPont purchased the Danish food maker Danisco, which operated the plant. The company has about 110 manufacturing employees and 150 back office employees at the site.

Kansas State University’s milling and baking science programs ease hiring for the company, which maintains ties with the university.

Based in Wilmington, Delaware, DuPont has operations in about 90 countries offering products for agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation, and apparel markets. The company was founded in 1802 as a manufacturer of gunpowder. It became a diversified chemical company in the early 1900s.

The company has maintained a focus on scientific research throughout its history. In 2013, the company invested $2.2 billion in research and development, introduced about 1,800 new products, and earned 2,500 international patents and 1,050 U.S. patents.

DuPont Industrial Biosciences has 13 production locations worldwide and ships products to more than 85 countries.

John Breeden is vice president at the facility, located at 4 New Century Parkway, New Century, KS 66031. He can be reached at (913) 764-8100.