The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub has been awarded approximately $51 million from the Tech Hubs Program through the Department of Commerce‘s Economic Development Administration. This funding enables the iFAB consortium to position Central Illinois as a global leader in biomanufacturing and precision fermentation, supporting national security, economic growth, and job generation. Led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, iFAB seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more. It was named an EDA Regional Innovation and Technology Hub in October 2023, opening the door to government support and funding. “Today’s EDA grant not only acknowledges but actively fuels our mission to establish Central Illinois as a pivotal biomanufacturing player on the global stage. With these new resources, we are equipped to accelerate our initiatives, ensuring that our region not only meets but sets the gold standard for biomanufacturing innovation,” said U. of I. Chancellor Robert J. Jones. “This partnership exemplifies how the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign can leverage its expertise and resources to fuel progress and prosperity right in our backyard.” iFAB’s 30+ partners include the University of Illinois Research Park and others from industry, higher education, trades, workforce development agencies, agribusiness, and producers. Two of the private sector partners, ADM and Boston Bioprocess, have operations at Research Park. Gener8tor, the leader of the Illinois AgTech Accelerator, is also involved with iFAB. The iFAB leadership team includes Laura Appenzeller from the University of Illinois Research Park along with representatives from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, and Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County. iFAB seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more. By leveraging this funding alongside regional assets in corn and soy feedstocks, food processing infrastructure, and research leadership, this Tech Hub will continue to provide a domestic biomanufacturing testbed through the development and deployment of multi-use pilot and demonstration capacity and equipment for biomanufacturing innovators. To learn more, visit the iFAB website.
