Koch buys plant science operation

A Koch Industries subsidiary has purchased the biological research and development business of Mendel Biotechnology, Koch announced Thursday.

The business will operate as Mendel Biological Solutions and will continue to be based in Hayward, Calif. Financial details of the deal were not released.

The Mendel operation has developed expertise in how plant biology can be used to increase crop yield. Koch said that it expects to turn the expertise into a new line of naturally derived products to improve plant health and production.

This story was originally published December 4, 2014 at 3:12 PM with the headline "Koch buys plant science operation."