Illinois is uniquely positioned to lead the global paradigm shift driven by precision fermentation. The event on November 14^th brought together the key stakeholders from Illinois’ iFAB, along with professionals from the precision fermentation and biomanufacturing sectors. While bioprocessing and precision fermentation will help revolutionize a number of industries, this forum is focusing on the food & beverage industry in Chicagoland as a critical piece of growing capacity, trust, and capabilities in the region to help to build the required infrastructure. 

Image: the AI representation of precision fermentation

Upscaling biomanufacturing with iFAB

The event commenced with a keynote speech by Beth Conerty, Regional Innovation Officer at the iFAB Tech Hub. She positioned Illinois as the ideal location for biomanufacturing, citing its abundant feedstock, top-tier research and development at Illinois universities, established bioprocessing industry presence, excellent intermodal transportation options, and the iFAB Lab-to-Line approach. The potential for biomanufacturing to transform food production is immense: within 15 years, globally it is projected to generate a $200 billion market and create 1 million additional jobs by 2030. 

To address the high demand for scaling technology, iFAB provides essential facilities to help manufacturers transition from lab-scale to pilot scale and demonstration production. Without such infrastructure, businesses may be forced to outsource this production capacity overseas—a significant bottleneck and challenge for US companies. By enabling startups to scale up, professionalize, and commercialize locally, iFAB ensures that growth and innovation in the sector remain local. 

The keynote was followed by a brief networking session, allowing participants to connect with iFAB while sampling Nature’s Fynd yoghurts and cream cheeses. 

Panel Discussion: Overcoming challenges in upscaling

A panel discussion with stakeholders active in biomanufacturing, moderated by Kim Kidwell, Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, delved into the critical challenges for scaling up the industry. When talking about upscaling, the availability of large, steel tanks for fermentation is what is needed most. Panelists Jason Polzin, VP Process Development and Engineering at Bond Pet Foods, and Dan Griffis, Managing Director at ADM Ventures, both emphasized that sourcing tanks with the appropriate size and quality is a significant hurdle. Jason referred to this as a core part of the intermediate stage in scaling biomanufacturing operations. Dan added that scaling up production is critical to reducing costs and making products market-ready. Customer trial is needed, and he expects the big CPG companies to try and pilot it as a next step. 

Funding emerged as another crucial factor. Kaitlin Grady, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Public Affairs at Clever Carnivore, explained that companies in cultivating food products often face high costs due to their adjacency to the pharmaceutical industry. One significant challenge is developing scalable, cost-effective machinery for mass production of cultivated meat. 

Regulatory hurdles also pose challenges, from obtaining FDA/ USDA approval for cultivated meat as a novel foods to securing local permits and zoning for manufacturing facilities. Illinois aims to play a proactive, leadership role in addressing these issues. Chad Philips, Federal Policy Manager at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, emphasized the state’s 5-year growth plan for economic development which includes grant applications and measures to reduce bureaucratic red tape for companies.

Illinois’ unique position 

The panelists unanimously agreed that Illinois is uniquely positioned to lead advancements in this field. Kaitlin highlighted Chicago’s transformation from the historic meat production capital of the world to the cultivated meat capital of the world. Dan reinforced this by emphasizing Illinois’ access to critical resources such as corn sugar, energy, water and a diverse labor pool on the one side and the customers on the other side. However, competition from other states is emerging. Chad stressed the importance of staying ahead through targeted industry incentives and proactive measures to maintain Illinois’ leadership position.