BioMADE announces its plans to establish and operate a new pilot-scale bioindustrial manufacturing facility near Ames, Iowa. This is the third facility in BioMADE’s Pilot Plant Network, following announcements of major investments in Minnesota and California. The network of bioindustrial manufacturing facilities will establish the U.S. as a leader in the global bioeconomy, secure domestic supply chains for needed products with defense and commercial applications, and boost rural economic development.
The 15,000 sq. ft. multi-user facility will include up to 10,000-liter industrial fermenters, dry and wet lab space, and downstream processing capabilities centered around the development of agricultural bioproducts, chemicals, food and more. At a total project value of $40 million, BioMADE has committed at least $20 million, which will be matched by up to $10 million in cost-share contributions from ISU and $10 million in funding from IEDA’s Strategic Infrastructure Program.
The bioindustrial manufacturing industry in the U.S. currently faces a scale-up challenge due to a critical lack of pilot- to demonstration-scale infrastructure. As a result, American companies often have to seek relevant facilities overseas, taking American innovation with them and risking IP loss. To address this gap, BioMADE worked with partners at the U.S. Department of Defense, the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa State University and the Iowa State University Research Park to establish this facility and continue the growth of its national Pilot Plant Network.
BioMADE's facility will complement other Iowa-based facilities, like ISU’s Center for Crops Utilization Research, to increase the speed at which companies can move through technological development and scale-up processes, bringing innovative biotechnologies from the laboratory bench to commercial production.