USA – Solugen, a climate technology company, has initiated the construction of a new biomanufacturing facility in, Minnesota, USA, to address the increasing demand for sustainable solutions and bolster domestic biomanufacturing capabilities.
This endeavor is part of a collaborative partnership with Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), a global leader in agricultural processing.
In November 2023, ADM entered into a groundbreaking agreement with Solugen Inc. to provide dextrose, a key ingredient, for producing plant-based organic acids, with onsite construction activities planned to begin in early 2024.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Bioforge Marshall facility took place on April 11 at the site, a 34-acre parcel of land adjacent to ADM’s existing corn processing complex.
The 500,000-square-foot facility will utilize dextrose sourced from ADM to manufacture low-carbon organic acids for various applications including water treatment, agriculture, energy, and home and personal care.
Expected to commence operations in fall 2025, the facility aims to meet the growing demand for sustainable chemical manufacturing.
Bioforge Marshall will feature three modular production lines, with a total capacity of up to 120 kilotonnes per annum (KTA) of product.
During construction, the facility will employ up to 100 temporary workers, with more than 50 high-skill manufacturing jobs anticipated upon reaching full production.
Solugen’s pioneering chemoenzymatic technology employed at Bioforge Marshall is estimated to mitigate the emissions of up to 18 million kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually compared to traditional petrochemical and fermentation-based products.
Sean Hunt, co-founder and chief technology officer of Solugen, emphasized the transformative potential of the new facility in expanding the market share of low-carbon chemistries.
Chris Cuddy, Senior Vice President and President of ADM’s Carbohydrate Solutions business unit, echoed this sentiment, highlighting sustainability as a core principle driving ADM’s strategic growth.
The partnership between Solugen and ADM extends beyond facility construction, with plans to collaborate on commercialization opportunities for biomaterials across various sectors including energy, water treatment, agriculture, construction, and personal care.
Gaurab Chakrabarti, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Solugen emphasized Marshall’s suitability for the facility due to its abundant corn supply and advanced corn-to-dextrose conversion technology.
Chakrabarti expressed excitement about the groundbreaking as a significant milestone in Solugen’s growth journey and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainable biomanufacturing practices.
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