Clinton, Iowa was chosen as headquarters of Spiber’s North American location
Spiber: Wearable bio-innovation
June 14, 2022 | biofueldigest.com (full link below)
Founded in 2007, Japanese biotechnology company Spiber Inc. uses a proprietary fermentation process that transforms plant-derived biomass into biodegradable protein polymers used across a wide variety of industrial and consumer needs. Spiber’s process offers a sustainability advantage by producing fibers created using sugars and microbes instead of fossil fuels.
Clinton, Iowa was chosen as headquarters of Spiber’s North American location and home of the company’s second commercial scale facility for the production of Spiber’s protein polymer material, branded as Brewed ProteinTM. Brewed Protein can be processed into fibers for clothing and textiles, high performance auto parts, animal-free fur and leather alternatives. Through a partnership with ADM, Spiber America will combine its technology with ADM’s mass production expertise, fermentation technology and corn wet mill to yield a ten-fold increase in production of Brewed Protein.
A serendipitous meeting with ADM was one of the key factors driving Spiber’s interest in making a significant investment in Clinton. Other innate characteristics about Iowa sealed the deal.
“At this stage of our company’s development, it’s attractive to go to areas that not only have affordable sugar sources, but well-developed infrastructure, economic stability and good access to highly skilled labor,” said Daniel Meyer, president, Spiber America LLC.