Geno and Qore open the world’s largest Bio-BDO plant in Iowa, promoting sustainable, plant-based chemical manufacturing alternatives globally.
Geno has officially commenced operations at what is now recognized as the world’s largest GENO™ Bio-BDO production facility, marking a significant milestone in the shift toward sustainable chemical manufacturing. Situated in Eddyville, Iowa, this new plant utilizes Geno’s proprietary biocatalyst and fermentation technology to produce bio-based 1,4-butanediol (BDO) using U.S.-grown, plant-derived sugars. This innovative single-step fermentation process eliminates the need for fossil fuel-based inputs, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional BDO production methods.
The facility is operated by Qore, a joint venture formed between agri-giant Cargill and German chemical distributor HELM. Qore was established with the objective of supporting major consumer brands in transitioning from fossil-based chemical components to renewable, bio-based alternatives. Geno, a pioneer in the field of industrial biotechnology, originally developed and scaled the GENO™ Bio-BDO process, and now licenses this groundbreaking technology to industrial producers across the globe. The process first entered commercial use in 2016 with the launch of its first licensed plant.
Geno’s Bio-BDO process is designed to operate with traceable, renewable feedstocks, ensuring responsible sourcing and a smaller carbon footprint. The company claims its process can cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% when compared to traditional fossil-based BDO manufacturing. This dramatic reduction positions Geno’s technology as a game-changer in the pursuit of climate-conscious industrial chemistry.
The Iowa plant, branded under the name QIRA by Qore, is the result of a $300 million investment. Its output will serve diverse applications across multiple sectors, including engineered plastics, performance textiles, biodegradable packaging, and other industrial materials that rely on BDO. The global demand for BDO is on a strong upward trajectory, with the market exceeding three million tons in 2024 and projected to grow beyond four million tons by 2030.
John Gugel, CEO of Geno, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “Geno's proven biomanufacturing technology is now deployed globally at an industrial scale, enabling the sustainable production of high-volume chemicals found in everyday items like home care products, packaging, textiles, and personal care goods. These solutions are not only cost-competitive, but they also deliver substantial emissions reductions by utilizing renewable resources and advanced metabolic engineering.”
The Eddyville plant is now the second GENO Bio-BDO production facility in commercial operation worldwide and the first in the United States. The first facility, located in Italy, is already functional, while a third is currently being constructed in Vietnam. In total, Geno has licensed capacity for 150,000 tons of Bio-BDO annually, either operational or under development.
By launching the world’s largest facility of its kind in Iowa, Geno and Qore are setting a new standard for sustainable chemical production. This move reflects a growing trend among global manufacturers and brands to invest in technologies that align with circular economy principles and climate goals.
