Qore, a joint venture of Minnesota-based Cargill and HELM, is officially set to initiate the production of QIRA®, which happens to be world’s first large-scale 1,4-butanediol (BDO), made from locally grown dent corn.
According to certain reports, QIRA actually runs on annually renewable crops, and as a result, it is able to serve as an impactful alternative for a fossil-derived equivalent used in the manufacturing of consumer goods.
“Qore is able to leverage the deep agricultural network and world-class fermentation technology expertise from Cargill and HELM’s global market reach to bring QIRA to life,” said Jon Veldhouse, CEO of Qore. “By providing a reliable, renewable, and transparent feedstock, QIRA helps global manufacturers and brands implement identical materials that reduce reliance on oversea supply chains, bringing more transparency to their product portfolios.”
More on the same would reveal how the venture will hold a grand opening event on July 22, 2025 to celebrate the completion of its $300-million facility and the official start of QIRA production. The event, on its part, is likely to include elected officials, Iowa farmers, interactive exhibits, and a panel discussion with company employees, executives, and QIRA customers.
This new facility, once operational, will produce more than 66,000 metric tons of QIRA, and it will do so using corn grown primarily within 100 miles of the site.
In case you weren’t aware, Iowa farmers have become rather popular, over the recent past, for applying regenerative agriculture practices to grow dent corn. Bringing to the fore a holistic and inclusive approach to land management, as well as in regards to soil and ecosystem health, the proximity of feedstock also goes a long distance to facilitate greater traceability and transparency throughout the supply chain.
“By offering a bio-based alternative to fossil-based feedstock, we are empowering brands to reduce their environmental impact and respond to consumer demands for transparency, more sustainable, high-performing products,” said Steve Kuiper, a fourth-generation Iowa farmer. “Our community is proud to play a vital role in making everyday products more sustainable.”
Talk about QIRA on a slightly deeper level, it arrives on the scene as a completely identical replacement to fossil-derived BDO. This means it can support manufacturing processes across multiple industries right from the get go.
Some of the industries that stand to benefit here include fashion and footwear, where QIRA can help cut down on the environmental footprint of textiles and apparel, while simultaneously providing transparency of feedstock.
Next up, there is the space of beauty and personal care which can now offer more sustainable alternatives for existing ingredient formulations.
Joining the mix would be the automotive and electronics industry. Here, the players can leverage QIRA to support more sustainable advancements in durable goods.
Finally, the last segment coming into play here is of packaging, considering it can lower the world’s reliance on fossil-based plastics derived from petroleum and coal.
Among other things, we ought to mention how top companies across the world are already deploying QIRA® into their product strategies. For instance, the LYCRA Company is adopting QIRA® to enhance the sustainability of LYCRA® fiber, with the potential to reduce its carbon footprint by up to 44-percent, as compared to fossil-based alternatives, all without sacrificing performance.
On the other hand, BASF, a global leader in chemical innovation, has also secured a long-term supply agreement to incorporate QIRA® into its existing derivatives portfolio.
“This is a bold, exciting step forward for Qore, our state, and the supply chains of the world. Now, thanks to the incredible innovation behind QIRA, Qore’s bio-based BDO, Iowa crops will not only feed and fuel the globe but sustain it,” said Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa. “I’m grateful to Cargill, HELM, and everyone who helped steward this site from vision to reality. In doing so, they’ve paved the way to stronger markets and more sustainable supply chains. I couldn’t be happier to help Qore, its workers, and our citizens reach new heights of prosperity — together.”
