BioMADE Breaks Ground on New Biomanufacturing Facility Near Ames

A new chapter in Iowa’s biomanufacturing story is officially underway. Earlier this month, BioMADE, state leaders, and Iowa State University celebrated the groundbreaking of a pilot-scale bioindustrial manufacturing facility near Ames.

The $40 million project, set to open in 2027, is expected to produce everything from national defense products to consumer goods like fabrics and detergents. The company and state leaders say it will boost Iowa’s rural economy and at the same time, give innovators the tools they need to turn biobased ideas into commercial reality.

The 15,000-square-foot multi-user facility is designed as a bridge between research and large-scale production — a space where both established companies and startups can test and scale new bioproducts. It’s a function that leaders say is sorely lacking in the United States, forcing many innovators to rely on overseas partners and risking the loss of valuable intellectual property.

RELATED: A new plant in Eddyville, Iowa, is getting attention by using local crops to make consumer goods.

BioMADE Plant Could Support Local Agricultural Economy

Governor Kim Reynolds said the project positions Iowa to help solve that national challenge while strengthening its own agricultural economy. “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,” Reynolds said.

“It will also bring manufacturing back home… all while creating new markets for Iowa-grown crops,” she added.

The plant will house 5,000- and 10,000-liter fermenters, wet and dry lab space, and equipment for downstream processing. These tools can turn crops into everything from agricultural bioproducts and industrial chemicals to probiotics, sweeteners, and advanced materials. Leaders say this will accelerate work already happening in Iowa, complementing facilities like ISU’s Center for Crops Utilization Research.

BioMADE Plant in Iowa Will Work with Iowa State University

Wendy Wintersteen, president of Iowa State University, said the facility aligns perfectly with the university’s long-standing strengths. “Iowa State excels at biobased innovations,” she said. “Our cutting-edge expertise and infrastructure will help BioMADE advance the U.S. as a global leader in biomanufacturing.”

At the heart of the project is a shift toward bioindustrial manufacturing — a process that uses domestically grown crops like corn, soybeans, and sugar beets to produce materials traditionally derived from petroleum or foreign suppliers.

BioMADE Facility Can Make Numerous Products

According to BioMADE, these products include lightweight composites for defense vehicles, anti-corrosive lubricants, fuels, high-temperature foams, and thermal protection systems. On the consumer side, biobased production can yield plant-derived fabrics, detergents, coatings, beauty and personal care products, adhesives, and bioplastics.

Federal officials emphasized the facility’s role in national security. Michael Holthe, performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology, called the new plant a critical piece of the defense manufacturing ecosystem.

“The BioMADE Pilot Plant in Iowa is a prime example of their impact and will be vital for our nation’s long-term national and economic security,” he said.

BioMADE Funding Mix

The project is funded through a mix of federal, state, and private investment. BioMADE has committed at least $20 million, ISU will contribute up to $10 million, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is providing another $10 million through its Strategic Infrastructure Program.

A spokesperson for BioMADE tells American Farmland Owner that the company expects to create 20 to 30 positions, ramping up as demand increases after the facility is up and running.

Debi Durham, who leads both IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority, said the facility fills a longtime gap in Iowa’s innovation landscape.

“With its advanced capabilities and strategic location, it will unlock new opportunities for innovation, commercialization and economic growth,” she said. “By bridging the gap between research and industrial scale-up, Iowa is well-positioned to lead the nation in bioindustrial manufacturing.”

The Ames facility will be one of the first three sites in BioMADE’s national Pilot Plant Network, joining planned locations in Minnesota and California.

BioMADE CEO Douglas Friedman said the groundbreaking marks a significant milestone for the organization’s expanding footprint. “This Pilot Plant joins a network of forthcoming facilities that will establish the U.S. as a leader in the global bioeconomy, and we’re excited that Iowa will be part of it,” he said.

RELATED: Innovation was a key selling point when this Indiana farm sold this fall.