The United States is in the midst of a new industrial revolution: one that is powered by biology and could fundamentally change how we manufacture products in America. Products used by everyday Americans, like cement, fire-resistant materials, durable fibers, bioplastics, food products and more, can all be created by harnessing the power of biology. If we can build the needed infrastructure, bioindustrial manufacturing has the power to make the U.S. a leader in the global bioeconomy.
In the last 10 years, it became clear that there was a serious scale-up challenge facing the biomanufacturing industry, and infrastructure was falling short. Start-ups and midsize companies were driving biotech innovation at exciting rates, but they needed additional funding and manufacturing infrastructure to bring their goods from bench-scale process development to actual commercial production.
Launched in April 2021, BioMADE was catalyzed by the Department of Defense to drive sustainable bioindustrial manufacturing innovation, education and collaboration nationally. Since then, this public/private partnership has led the charge in scaling and transforming the American biomanufacturing industry.
BioMADE is working to solve the scale-up challenge by building a network of 12-15 pilot- to intermediate-scale bioindustrial manufacturing facilities. These multi-user facilities will have state-of-the-art equipment, allowing industry players to collaborate to meet their shared needs. With these communal tools, companies of all sizes will be able to scale-up their production, advancing the bioindustrial manufacturing industry as a whole.
As BioMADE’s inaugural chief manufacturing officer, my role will focus on overseeing the development and deployment of BioMADE’s national network of bioindustrial manufacturing infrastructure. This network will provide essential services to bioindustrial manufacturing companies and catapult the U.S. to the forefront of the global bioeconomy–I can’t wait to get these facilities up and running.
Bioindustrial manufacturing is not one size fits all–it’s a complex industry. Traditionally, biomanufacturing facilities focus on a single product or family of products, creating the need for different sites to support the industry’s broad spectrum of advancements.
BioMADE’s network of pilot facilities will increase the number of biomanufacturers who benefit with this new infrastructure, from product-driven industries, like alternative proteins, to technology-driven processes, like companies pulling carbon dioxide out of the air to create new products. Each functionally diverse site will address different needs and leverage regional strengths, connecting and coordinating biomanufacturing efforts throughout the U.S.
As BioMADE’s national infrastructure network takes shape, these facilities will diversify and expand manufacturing jobs across the country, growing the U.S. workforce. By working with universities, community colleges and trade schools across the country, BioMADE’s Education and Workforce Development team is preparing Americans to take advantage of these opportunities by developing biomanufacturing curricula and creating programming for individuals interested in entering the industry.
BioMADE’s network of scale-up bioindustrial manufacturing facilities will play a critical role in the growth of the industry and the larger bioeconomy. With continued investment, there is a future where biomanufacturing will further strengthen and reshore supply chains in the U.S., bolster our farming economy, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and build the American workforce for the long term. As BioMADE brings together biomanufacturing practitioners from across the country, the future of the U.S. bioeconomy is bright.
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