iFAB Tech Hub

Future of Manufacturing

About iFAB Tech Hub

The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFAB Tech Hub), led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more. By leveraging its regional assets in corn and soy feedstocks, food processing infrastructure, and research leadership, this Tech Hub will provide a domestic biomanufacturing testbed through the development and deployment of multi-use pilot and demonstration capacity and equipment for biomanufacturing innovators, while also training a skilled workforce. 

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Problem statement

The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFAB Tech Hub) aims to transform underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value products through precision fermentation. Led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the hub will leverage regional assets to create a biomanufacturing testbed with advanced pilot and demonstration facilities and equipment. It will also train a skilled workforce to support this transformation. By advancing fermentation technology, iFAB seeks to produce zero-emission, sustainable products, boosting regional economic growth and innovation.

Traction information

- $680M Co-investment: EDA funding will catalyze approximately $680 million in additional investments for infrastructure upgrades, workforce development, and entrepreneurial activities.
- 17,421L Fermentation Capacity: Expansion of the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Lab (IBRL) will increase fermentation capacity from 2,932 liters to 17,421 liters, supporting up to 60 pilot tests annually.
- $1.4B Raised by Startups: The existing EnterpriseWorks incubator has nurtured over 350 companies that have collectively raised more than $1.4 billion in venture funds.

Milestones

July 2022

Biden-Harris Administration’s Tech Hubs Program Awards Approximately $51 Million to the iFAB Tech Hub in Illinois to Strengthen the Region’s Capacity as a Global Leader in Precision Fermentation and Biomanufacturing

Updates

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Added 12 months ago
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