Consultants Forum Advertise
Subscribe
Close

  • Free for qualified executives and consultants to industry

  • Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine and special market report and directory issues

Subscribe Now
Renew

Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Spiber Plans Clinton, Iowa, Manufacturing Plant

11/24/2020
Spiber, a Japan-based biotech company that produces lab-grown proteins, will open a $101.4 million manufacturing plant in Clinton, Iowa.

The company’s first facility in the U.S. will be used to expand production of its plant-based polymers, such as spider silk used in clothing and other consumer products. Spiber plans purchase equipment used to convert corn-based dextrose into alternative proteins for use as biomaterials across many industries.

“Even during these unprecedented times, Iowa is a place of opportunity and economic vitality,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “I am proud to announce that Spiber is partnering with ADM to deploy state-of-the-art technology to Clinton County, bringing this concept to the United States for the first time. I look forward to building on this partnership as we work to broaden and diversify Iowa’s robust manufacturing sector.”

The expansion will be conducted through a partnership with Archer-Daniels-Midland, which already has a facility in Clinton. The state approved an economic development incentive that includes direct assistance in the amount of $1 million through the state’s High Quality Jobs Program. In addition the City of Clinton plans to provide a 20-percent match.

“This award will enable Spiber to accelerate its investment in the equipment and infrastructure used to convert corn-based dextrose into alternative proteins for use as next-generation biomaterials across many industries," Daniel Meyer, president of Spiber America told the River City Reader. "Iowa has a deep understanding of the positive impact potential of projects like ours and has created an environment that is conducive to success. We are thrilled to bring our production to Clinton.”

"We’re proud of our unmatched fermentation technology, and we’re excited to partner with Spiber to bring those capabilities together with our engineering expertise and long value-chain to create plant-based polymers that will go into everything from clothes to car seats,” Ian Pinner, ADM’s chief strategy and innovation officer and president of the company’s Health & Wellness division told newspaper. “We’re equally excited to bring this job-creating project to the Clinton region.”

Exclusive Research