Today, BioMADE announced Maple Grove as the Minnesota site in its national network of bioindustrial manufacturing infrastructure. The facility will further establish the U.S. as a leader in biotechnology and biomanufacturing, support national security initiatives, boost economic opportunity, increase markets for farmers, and bring well-paying manufacturing jobs to the region.
Located at 7500 Meridian Circle North, the 122,000 square foot facility will feature demonstration-scale piloting equipment, with two 25,000-liter industrial fermenters, allowing innovative companies of all sizes to take their processes to the next level as they march toward full-scale commercial manufacturing. The project represents an investment of at least $132M, with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Bioindustrial manufacturing has the power to create or improve needed defense materials like lightweight composite materials, anti-corrosive lubricants, energetics and energetic precursors, fuels, high temperature-resistant foams and thermal protection systems, and more. In addition to providing key defense capabilities, bioindustrial manufacturing secures consumer supply chains for products like plant-based fabrics, detergents, paints and coatings, adhesives, beauty and personal care items, and bioplastics.
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 R&D efforts with them and risking IP loss. In order to address this gap, BioMADE worked with partners at the U.S. Department of Defense and the State of Minnesota to establish this facility and kick off its national network.
“The U.S. has been a global leader in biotechnology research and innovation for more than 40 years. However, the country needs additional assets to bring these innovations from the lab to commercial production,” said Douglas Friedman, Chief Executive Officer at BioMADE. “BioMADE is proud to announce this exciting milestone in Minnesota, as we continue to collaborate with partners across the country to build our network of biomanufacturing facilities. The Maple Grove location will provide the industry and Department of Defense with shared access to the state-of-the-art equipment required to face the challenges of scaling up.”