[1] The SRRC laboratory is located at 1100 Allen Toussaint Blvd, New Orleans, Louisiana 70124-4305 (Latitude 30.01881, Longitude -90.08952).

It has an annual budget of approximately $25 million, employing 70 scientists and 130 other people in laboratory support roles.

Construction on the laboratory commenced in 1939 at its current 40 acre (162,000 m2) building site, a tract in the northeast corner of City Park on Allen Toussaint Boulevard near Bayou St. John, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Research at the laboratory initially emphasized crops in the southern United States that were produced in surplus, especially cotton, sweet potato, and peanuts.

SRRC researchers found means of improving such processed foods as dehydrated celery, pickles, and new uses of sweet potatoes.

[9] SRRC scientists Wilson A. Reeves, Stanley P. Rowland, Jett C. Arthur Jr., and Alfred D. French received in different years the Anselme Payen Award, administered by the American Chemical Society, for their contributions to the science and technology of cotton and cellulosic materials.