BioMade, a Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institute, announced on August 15 that it selected Iowa to establish a bioindustrial manufacturing scale-up facility at the Iowa State University BioCentury Research Farm in Boone, Iowa.
“This is an exciting announcement for Iowa State University and the state of Iowa as it reinforces our place at the cutting edge of innovation in the bioeconomy and in the development and commercialization of the next generation of products and technologies,” said Dr. Wendy Wintersteen, president of Iowa State University.
The 15,000 sq. ft. multi-user facility will include 5,000-liter and 10,000-liter industrial fermenters, dry and wet lab space, and downstream processing capabilities centered around the development of agricultural bioproducts, chemicals, food and more. At a total project value of $40 million, BioMADE has committed at least $20 million, which will be matched by up to $10 million in cost-share contributions from ISU and $10 million in funding from IEDA’s Strategic Infrastructure Program.
The BioCentury Research Farm was established in 2009 as the first-in-the-nation integrated research and demonstration facility dedicated to biomass production and processing. The work done at this facility accelerates innovation and production capacity associated with biobased fuels, chemicals and products. Through developing new patents, supporting Iowa-based businesses and hosting research, the BioCentury Research Farm plays a key role in furthering economic development in the Iowa State community and across the Midwest.
For more information:
BioMADE news release
Statement from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds
IEDA news release
published August 2025