More Cargill News… Cargill, HELM Partner on $300M Corn-Based Renewables Plant

Cargill and Germany-based HELM have partnered on Qore - a joint venture to produce QIRA™, a new next-generation biological 1,4-butanediol (BDO) made by the fermentation of plant-sugars from corn.

This product can replace the fossil-based counterpart used in making a range of items from spandex, biodegradable plastics, polyurethane coatings, sealants, polyester-based chemical fibers, or artificial leathers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 93 percent.

As this new use for corn emerges and consumer demand for more environmentally friendly products gains strength, Cargill and HELM are collectively investing $300 million to build the first commercial-scale, renewable BDO facility in the U.S. Located at Cargill's existing biotechnology campus in Eddyville, Iowa, the plant will not only give farmers a new channel for their corn, but will give the apparel, automotive, electronics, and packaging industries the ability to improve their environmental footprint without compromising product performance or manufacturing processes.

Once the plant is completed and operating in 2024, the partnership will use Cargill’s end-to-end supply chain, product commercialization, and fermentation manufacturing expertise, along with HELM’s experience with commercializing unique chemical applications.

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