BASF | Nunhems to build new vegetable seeds R&D center in Spain

BASF’s vegetable seeds business, operating under the Nunhems brand, announced plans to construct a new research and development center in El Ejido, Almería, Spain. The 25-hectare site will include state-of-the-art greenhouses, breeding laboratories, and modern office spaces. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with full operations expected by early 2028.

The investment will consolidate BASF | Nunhems’ main breeding activities in Spain, gradually transferring operations from the existing sites in Almerimar and Santa María del Águila to El Ejido. The company’s Murcia location will continue to operate as usual.

Ena Hartig, Vice President of R&D at BASF | Nunhems, said the project represents a key step toward expanding the company’s research capacity. “The new research center in Almería is designed to deliver innovative seed varieties and solutions for the evolving needs of our customers, and will contribute to BASF’s efforts to continuously develop sustainable innovations for growers around the world,” she said.

The facility will feature multi-tunnel greenhouses, phytopathology and field research areas, and a logistics hub for seed distribution. It will also include customer service, finance, marketing, and sales departments, as well as offices designed to support collaborative and flexible work environments.

According to Paco González, Managing Director of Nunhems Spain, the consolidation will enhance efficiency and strengthen the company’s presence in a region central to Mediterranean horticulture. “By bringing our teams together in a strategic location with modern facilities, we are unlocking new potential for sustainable success and reinforcing our position as an attractive and competitive employer,” he noted.

The new R&D center underscores BASF’s long-term commitment to agricultural innovation and to the economic and social development of southern Spain — a key production hub for high-value vegetable crops.