Project Background and Illinois Impact
The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFAB) is poised to become the global leader in precision fermentation and biomanufacturing – an industry expected to grow to $200 billion over the next 15 years.
Leveraging biology as a manufacturing technology of the future, iFAB is uniquely uniting world-class R&D, industry leaders, innovative startups, scalable infrastructure, abundant feedstock production, unparalleled transportation networks, and strong relationships with corn and soybean suppliers within a 51-mile radius.
This unique lab-to-line approach establishes the iFAB region (Champaign, Piatt, and Macon counties) as the preeminent destination for the biomanufacturing industry.
This bio-revolution will reduce dependence on petroleum and transform the biomanufacturing industry by creating zero-emission, high-value products from agricultural commodities.
iFAB has been awarded phase 2 funding from the EDC – approximately $51M – to position Central Illinois as a global leader in biomanufacturing and precision fermentation, supporting national security, economic growth, and job generation.
This funding supports:
- Bioprocessing expansion: The EDA grant will help realize a $40M expansion of the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL), which will include a 1500-liter fermenter capacity upgrade.
- Production line expansion: Primient and Synonym will receiving funding to achieve a fermentation capacity of 13,000 liters; ADM will use Phase 2 funding to upgrade their precision fermentation facility to 80,000 liters.
- iFAB Tech Hub Management: The EDA grant will support the iFAB Tech Hub’s management. This will strengthen iFAB’s ability to attract and support companies that join the growing biomanufacturing ecosystem in Central Illinois.
Consortium Structure
iFAB leadership is a collaborative effort between the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County, and the University of Illinois Research Park.
The consortium includes leaders from higher education, economic development organizations, local government, and industry.
iFAB Contacts
Beth Conerty
Regional Innovation Officer
iFAB Tech Hub
Associate Director of Business Development
Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL)
bconerty@illinois.edu
Carly McCrory-McKay
Executive Director
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
carly@champagincountyedc.com
Nicole Bateman
President
Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County
nbateman@decaturedc.com
For more information, visit the iFAB website here: https://ifabtechhub.org/