Infrastructure

Addressing Infrastructure Gaps to Build the Biomanufacturing Industry

The United States faces a foundational gap in domestic pilot- and intermediate-scale bioindustrial manufacturing infrastructure. As a result, American companies must seek relevant facilities overseas to scale-up their biomanufacturing processes for innovative products from the laboratory to commercial production.   

To address this gap and realize the promise of bioindustrial manufacturing, Congress provided a down payment in 2023 for a strategic, multi-year effort to catalyze the creation of pilot-scale infrastructure through BioMADE. These investments will transform American manufacturing, bring back manufacturing jobs, retain American R&D efforts, create well-paying jobs, and preserve U.S. leadership in the 21st century bioeconomy.  

In 2024, BioMADE announced that it is exploring opportunities with six states – California, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, and North Carolina – to establish bioindustrial manufacturing facilities there. In 2023, BioMADE announced it would be establishing a bioindustrial manufacturing campus in Minnesota.

The Vision 

BioMADE launched its plan for a network of 12-15 pilot-scale bioindustrial manufacturing facilities around the United States in 2023. With federal and state co-investments, the BioMADE Pilot Plant Network (PPN) will grow to include pilot facilities throughout the U.S. that provide an essential service to growing bioindustrial manufacturing businesses. 

Sites in the network will take many forms and have unique capabilities based on demand, feedstock availability, defense needs, and proximity of existing facilities and workforce training centers. BioMADE will establish the network in phases to best meet the needs of the industry as it evolves, and to take advantage of lessons learned through the development of the network.  

These pilot-scale facilities will be made available to companies needing piloting and process development capabilities as they look to build a commercial scale manufacturing facility.  

Minnesota

BioMADE received support from the Minnesota Legislature in 2023 to build a bioindustrial manufacturing campus in Minnesota. The site will include a state-of-the-art bioindustrial manufacturing pilot plant that will inspire innovation and attract industry. By providing relevant utilities, partnerships, workforce availability, and other business conditions, BioMADE will incentivize private business to co-locate on the same site, creating jobs and bringing revenue to the state and local communities. 

About the Sites

These bioindustrial manufacturing sites will: 

  • Foster innovation by de-risking new technologies and products with innovative start-ups, small companies, and large industries alike  

  • Build far-reaching career pathways and create additional jobs through the construction and operation of facilities 

  • Support American farmers and create new markets for their feedstocks 

  • Build and strengthen domestic supply chains for materials that go into everyday products used by Americans   

  • Improve environmental sustainability and reduce reliance on foreign inputs 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • BioMADE is currently exploring opportunities with six states – California, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, and North Carolina – to establish bioindustrial manufacturing facilities there. This will include getting a better understanding of the economic development climate and partnership opportunities in each state. This is the first phase in BioMADE’s long-term vision for 12-15 sites nationwide.

  • At this time, we are focusing our resources in a smaller number of States. However, that does not mean that a state not on the list is ruled out; BioMADE is open to considering opportunities in other states that are aligned to the BioMADE vision.

    Building a national network of pilot scale infrastructure depends on securing additional resources, including Federal funds. We will continue to request funds for additional phases of the network from Congress.

  • BioMADE envisions establishing infrastructure committees for members to provide input on the national pilot facility network. Stay tuned to BioMADE’s website and newsletter for details. If you have additional questions, please reach out to infrastructure@biomade.org to connect with BioMADE.