BOONE — Gov. Kim Reynolds cheered the start of construction on a $40 million biomanufacturing facility that will work to develop animal feeds, probiotics, sweeteners and other products.
Officials gathered Nov. 14 for a groundbreaking for the new BioMADE facility, one of several pilot plants the company is constructing around the country.
Reynolds said the facility “helps complete Iowa’s biomanufacturing ecosystem.”
“It will take the discoveries from the lab and scale them into real world applications, accelerating American research and development, creating great new jobs and ensuring that breakthroughs developed in this country are made in this country,” she said.
And Reynolds said there’s no better place to do that than at Iowa State University.
“From seed science, to renewable fuels to advanced materials, we’ve constantly proven that when you combine world class research with a strong manufacturing tradition, incredible things happen,” she said. “Iowa State University is a leader in bio-based innovations. The type of expertise and infrastructure that’s needed already exists here.”
The facility includes lab space as well as 5,000 and 10,000-liter industrial fermenters. It will be at Iowa State University’s BioCentury Research Farm, where BioMADE will be able to partners with programs like ISU’s Center for Crops Utilization Research.
Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen said the facility would provide opportunities for Iowa startups and companies to test the reliability of their new breakthroughs and products and prepare to take them to market, as well as serving as a hub for hands-on training for the next generation.
“Here at Iowa State, we look forward to the opening of the facility, to welcoming new innovators and entrepreneurs, and to creating economic opportunities that will strengthen our state,” she said.
Funding for the BioMADE plant includes $10 million from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, $10 million from Iowa State University and up to $20 million from BioMADE itself. The project has also received support from the U.S. Department of War.
Construction is expected to be completed in 2027.
BioMADE CEO Douglas Friedman said the company’s network of pilot facilities around the country will serve large and small customers in both the commercial and defense markets.
“These facilities can make countless products and materials,” he said. “But here in Iowa we’ll be focused on food grade capabilities. Ingredients like prebiotics, probiotics, sweeteners, flavors. We’ll be able to tie in to the robust biomanufacturing ecosystem that is already present here in Iowa.”
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Gov. Kim Reynolds breaks ground on $40 million BioMADE biomanufacturing facility in Boone
Reporting by Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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