Qore Opens Bio-Based BDO Plant in Iowa

Qore, a joint venture between Cargill and Helm, has officially opened its $300 million biobased 1,4-butanediol (BDO) production facility in Eddyville, Iowa. Using locally sourced corn and a fermentation-based process, the plant is now the world’s largest of its kind, with an annual production capacity of 66,000 tonnes.

Branded as Qira, the biobased BDO serves as a drop-in replacement for petroleum-based BDO and is already being used in the polyurethane supply chain. Notably, The Lycra Company is incorporating Qira into more sustainable spandex production, while BASF has signed a long-term supply agreement for the product. The opening ceremony was attended by local farmers and elected officials, highlighting the plant's regional agricultural ties—most of the corn used is grown within 100 miles of the site.

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.

By providing a reliable, renewable, and transparent feedstock, Qira helps global manufacturers and brands implement identical materials that reduce reliance on overseas supply chains, bringing more transparency to their product portfolios.

Source: Cargill