Qore, New Joint Venture between Cargill and HELM Unveils Plans to Build Renewable BDO Facility in Lowa

Qore, a joint venture between Cargill and HELM, introduced a new technology with bio-based intermediates helping leading brands to replace fossil-based chemistries which helps in reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions. Both the companies agreed on investing a combined $300 million for building a renewable BDO facility, the commercial scale facility in the US. The Bio-based intermediates helps major industries like automotive, apparels, packaging and electronics industries to reduce carbon footprint without interrupting downstream manufacturing processes and product’s performance.

The major focus of the Qore joint venture will be producing QIRA, the next-generation 1,4-butanediol (BDO). QIRA, made biologically through the fermentation of plant-based sugars, can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions up to 93% if replaced with today’s majorly used chemical intermediates which is made from traditional fossil sources and can be used as same way as the chemical intermediates but with increased environmental performance. QIRA can also be utilized to produce polyester-based chemical fibers, spandex, biodegradable plastics, sealants, artificial leathers, and polyurethane thereby reducing the carbon dioxide footprint and improving their environmental performance.

The bio-based intermediate production facility is planned to be built in Eddyville, Lowa where Cargill’s corn refining operation occurs and has an existing biotechnology campus. The plant will begin its operations in 2024 to meet the demand of the specified product. Qore is expecting to initially produce and distribute minimum 65,000 metric tons per year of its first bio intermediate, QIRA by using licensed Genomatica’s BDO process technology and Cargill’s fermentation manufacturing expertise and global feedstock supply. Cargill’s end-to-end supply chain, long standing, and successful commercialization of product in various bio industrial markets are combined with expertise of HELM of bringing innovative applications of chemicals and other unique solutions to life and to the market in this new venture.