Huai’an, China, – Sylvan has begun construction of a new research and development facility adjacent to its spawn plant in Huai’an, China. The project, led by Sylvan’s Global Chief Engineer André Verbeek, began last month with the relocation of existing utility infrastructure. The facility is expected to be fully operational early next year.

New Research Facility

The construction of this facility represents a significant portion of the long term investment that the company is making to meet the demands of the expanding Asia Pacific market. In addition to creating a dynamic workspace for innovative research and development activities, it will allow Sylvan access to many of the resources maintained in various Asian Universities and Institutions allowing the company to more rapidly develop innovations to the benefit of the global industries that Sylvan supplies. Similar to our current facilities in Langeais and Kittanning, the new research center will include laboratory spaces, dedicated to breeding, molecular biology, instrumentation and biologicals as well as an inoculum production facility designed to ensure a consistent supply of key materials for both Agaricus and non-Agaricus mushroom crops in the expanding Asia Pacific market. The current investment will include a small test unit modeled on our new International Demonstration Centre in Horst. Finally, the building will also allow Sylvan’s corporate offices to relocate from leased space to the Sylvan International Biotechnology campus.

Appointment of Dr. Lucas Zhang

Along with the construction of the new facility, Sylvan is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Lucas Zhang as a senior research scientist. Dr. Zhang brings extensive experience from both academic and commercial perspectives. His expertise includes molecular marker-assisted breeding for key agronomic traits in edible fungi, as well as applied research on liquid spawn production, mycelial growth and development, new substrate formulations, and mushroom cultivation/fruiting physiology.