Iowa Governor Reynolds, Iowa State University, and BioMADE Break Ground on New $40M Biomanufacturing Facility
Located near Ames, the new facility will provide critical biomanufacturing infrastructure in the U.S. as part of BioMADE’s Pilot Plant Network, demonstrating a joint commitment between Governor Kim Reynolds and BioMADE to establish the State of Iowa as a biomanufacturing hub and support rural economic development.
AMES, IA, November 14, 2025 – 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.
“BioMADE continues to prove its value in convening leading experts from industry, academia and government to revitalize the defense industrial base to address critical manufacturing challenges facing our warfighters,” said Mr. Michael Holthe, who is performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology. “I couldn’t be prouder of the community they are building. 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.”
The facility will help to address a critical gap in U.S. biomanufacturing infrastructure. Currently, many established biotech companies and startups must scale their products overseas, risking intellectual property loss to global competitors. BioMADE is working with partners at the U.S. Department of War (DoW), Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), ISU, and the ISU Research Park to avoid these risks and provide the necessary infrastructure for America to lead the global bioeconomy of the twenty-first century.
“We’re thrilled to be constructing this critically needed facility in Iowa,” said Dr. Douglas Friedman, Chief Executive Officer at BioMADE. “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. Thank you to Governor Reynolds, Iowa State University, and all our partners who made today’s groundbreaking ceremony a major success.”
BioMADE has committed at least $20 million of the project’s $40 million value, which will be matched by up to $10 million in cost-share contributions from ISU and $10 million in funding from the IEDA’s Strategic Infrastructure Program.
“This facility represents the missing piece in Iowa’s biomanufacturing ecosystem. With its advanced capabilities and strategic location, it will unlock new opportunities for innovation, commercialization and economic growth, said Debi Durham, Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority. “By bridging the gap between research and industrial scale-up, Iowa is well-positioned to lead the nation in bioindustrial manufacturing—and we’re proud to support this transformative investment.”
The Iowa facility will join sites in Minnesota and California, as one of the first three projects in BioMADE’s Pilot Plant Network, a system of pilot- to demonstration-scale facilities across the country that will establish the U.S. as a global leader in biomanufacturing. The benefits of U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing are already apparent, including increased supply chain resilience, bolstered national security, rural economic development, and new markets for American-grown crops.
Visit www.biomade.org for more information about BioMADE’s infrastructure initiatives and its role as a DoD Manufacturing Innovation Institute.
About BioMADE
By supporting the development of biomanufacturing technologies, BioMADE and its network of over 325 members across 40 states are strengthening American competitiveness, creating a more resilient supply chain, reshoring manufacturing jobs, and producing biobased products without relying on foreign inputs. BioMADE is also building a globally competitive STEM workforce to ensure American workers are prepared and ready to fill new jobs within this rapidly growing industry. BioMADE was catalyzed by the U.S. DoD[DF1] [CL2] in October of 2020 and is a proud member of Manufacturing USA®.