Today, BioMADE , the State of Iowa, Iowa State University (ISU), and Iowa State University Research Park celebrated the groundbreaking of a new pilot-scale bioindustrial manufacturing facility near Ames, Iowa. Scheduled to open in 2027, the 15,000 sq. ft. multi-user site will support the manufacture of products needed by the defense and commercial markets, create new revenue streams for farmers, and reaffirm Iowa’s leadership in biotechnology innovation.
“This facility provides innovators the space and equipment to test, scale, and bring new ideas to life—ideas that will give our military servicemembers the materials they need to keep us safe,” stated Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. “It will also bring manufacturing back home, strengthening America’s supply chains for biobased fabrics, adhesives, plastics, and more, all while creating new markets for Iowa-grown crops.”
The facility will feature 5,000 and 10,000-liter industrial fermenters, dry and wet lab space, and downstream processing capabilities to support the development of agricultural bioproducts, chemicals, animal feeds, food products like probiotics and sweeteners, and more. It will complement existing Iowa-based programs, like ISU’s Center for Crops Utilization Research, accelerating innovation and scale-up efforts even further.
“Iowa State excels at biobased innovations,” said Wendy Wintersteen, President of Iowa State University. “Our cutting-edge expertise and infrastructure will help BioMADE advance the U.S. as a global leader in biomanufacturing.”
Supporting both national economic and defense initiatives, bioindustrial manufacturing leverages domestically grown crops - such as corn, soybeans, and sugar beets - to produce everyday materials and strategic defense products. These include lightweight composites, anti-corrosive lubricants, fuels, high temperature-resistant foams, and thermal protection systems, as well as consumer goods like plant-based fabrics, detergents, paints and coatings, adhesives, beauty and personal care items, and bioplastics.