Key Takeaways
- Qore, a joint venture between Cargill and HELM, launches QIRA® production at $300 million facility in Eddyville, Iowa
- QIRA® is the first large-scale 1,4-butanediol (BDO) derived from dent corn grown within a 100-mile radius
- The facility will produce 66,000 metric tons annually to serve applications across textiles, packaging, automotive, and personal care industries
- Iowa farmers using regenerative agriculture practices supply the corn feedstock, enhancing traceability
- Companies like BASF and The LYCRA Company have already integrated QIRA® into their supply chains
Qore Commences QIRA® Production in Iowa
Qore, the joint venture of Minnesota-based Cargill and Germany-based HELM, has officially launched production of QIRA®, a plant-based alternative to traditional fossil-derived 1,4-butanediol (BDO). The grand opening of its $300 million facility in Eddyville, Iowa, will take place on July 22, 2025, marking the commercial start of what Qore describes as the world’s first large-scale BDO made from locally grown dent corn.
“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.”
Facility Highlights and Local Sourcing Strategy
Qore Scales Bio-Based Manufacturing Capacity
The Eddyville site is expected to produce 66,000 metric tons of QIRA® annually, relying on dent corn grown primarily within a 100-mile radius. According to Qore, the proximity of the raw material supports enhanced supply chain transparency and traceability.
Steve Kuiper, a fourth-generation Iowa farmer, commented: “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.”
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds noted the facility’s economic and environmental implications: “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, Iowa crops will not only feed and fuel the globe but sustain it.”
QIRA® Integration into Key Industries
QIRA® is described by Qore as a drop-in solution for industries that currently use fossil-based BDO. Target applications include:
- Fashion and Footwear – Alternative feedstock for textiles and apparel
- Beauty and Personal Care – Ingredient base for sustainable formulations
- Automotive and Electronics – Input for more sustainable durable goods
- Packaging – Replacement for petroleum- and coal-based plastics
The LYCRA Company is incorporating QIRA® into its LYCRA® fiber production, with an estimated carbon footprint reduction of up to 44% compared to fossil-based equivalents, based on a life cycle analysis conducted in 2022. BASF has also entered a long-term supply agreement to integrate QIRA® into its chemical derivatives.
Qore’s Strategic Positioning
With support from its parent companies, Qore is aiming to provide an alternative supply route for manufacturers seeking to reduce reliance on fossil-based raw materials. The launch of QIRA® production represents a key development in the expansion of bio-based chemicals into mainstream industrial supply chains. The company plans to continue scaling efforts to meet growing global demand for renewable alternatives in consumer goods.
