New Iowa Processing Plant Will Turn Local Crop into Global Products

A southeast Iowa town with a population of about 1,000 people can now say it does something no other place on the planet is doing: turn corn into a new product used in everything from clothes to cars. 

Qore, a joint venture between Minnesota-based Cargill and Germany-based HELM opened its new $300 Million bio-based chemical plant in Eddyville in July. It sits next to the current Cargill plant that processes corn.

The plant will make QIRA®.  

What QIRA® Is

Here’s how HELM describes QIRA®  on its website:

“QIRA® is an identical replacement to a fossil-derived substance called 1,4butanediol (BDO). It is made with local corn and used in manufacturing processes across multiple industries, including:

• Fashion and footwear  

• Beauty and personal care 

• Automotive and electronics   

• Packaging  

In simple terms, QIRA®is a substance that uses corn as a replacement for petroleum in consumer products.  

On its website, Qore says LYCRA Company is already incorporating QIRA® into its fiber production. In addition, BASF has entered into a long-term agreement to integrate QIRA® into its chemical derivatives portfolio.

“QIRA® is able to leverage the deep agricultural network and world-class fermentation technology expertise from Cargill and HELM’s global market reach to bring QIRA® to life,” said Jon Veldhouse, CEO of Qore.

Veldhouse added, “By providing a reliable, renewable, and transparent feedstock, QIRA® helps global manufacturers and brands implement identical materials that reduce reliance on oversea supply chains, bringing more transparency to their product portfolios.”

How QIRA® Will Be Made

The new facility, which is now the largest of its kind globally, is designed to produce 66,000 metric tons of QIRA® annually using corn sourced primarily from within a 100-mile radius. 

It will take corn from within the area, then grind it and process it into QIRA®. 

Steve Kuiper, a District Director for the Iowa Corn Growers Association and a farmer who grows crops about 30 miles from the facility, spoke to American Farmland Owner about what this new facility means for Iowa farmers.

“We continue to increase production in the United States, so we have to find an outlet for that production,” says Kuiper, describing the need for more places to buy Iowa corn.   

In a news release, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said this about the new facility:

“This is a bold, exciting step forward for Qore, our state, and the supply chains of the world. Thanks to the incredible innovation behind QIRA®, Iowa crops will not only feed and fuel the globe but sustain it. I’m grateful to Cargill, HELM, and everyone who helped steward this site from vision to reality.”

RELATED: American Farmland Owner explains some of the struggles with ethanol production.

What It Means for Farmers

Kuiper says the plant is good news for local farmers for a couple of reasons. 

Iowa corn is used to make ethanol. But demand for that product is less stable right now. Having another product that relies on corn provides stability. Plus, local farmers can keep their transportation expenses down when they can haul their product to a nearby buyer. 

There is also the potential for growth. If more products can be made using Iowa corn, Kuiper says Qore has an opportunity to grow if more products can be made using Iowa corn. And the state could be on the cutting edge. 

“There is a good future for biochemistry,” he said. “There are a bunch of chemicals that go into consumer goods that can be made of corn that are currently made of petroleum.”

RELATED: This industry leader warned American Farmland Owner early in 2024 challenges that could be ahead for corn growers.