Mega Project Cargill-Helm JV Completes 300 Million Dollar Unit, Commences Qira Production

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Qore, a joint venture firm of Cargill and Helm, has recently announced that it has successfully completed the development of a 300-million-dollar facility in Iowa, USA and is all set to start production of Qira, the world’s first large-scale 1,4-butanediol made from locally grown dent corn, at the plant.

Iowa/USA – Qore, a joint venture of Minnesota-based Cargill and Germany-based Helm, is officially starting production of Qira, the world’s first large-scale 1,4-butanediol (BDO) made from locally grown dent corn. Qira is derived from annually renewable crops and serves as an impactful alternative to a fossil-derived equivalent used in the manufacture of consumer goods.

A grand opening event, held on July 22, 2025, will celebrate the completion of the 300-million-dollar facility and the official start of Qira production. The event will include elected officials, Iowa farmers, interactive exhibits, and a panel discussion with company employees, executives, and Qira customers.

The new facility is set to produce 66,000 metric tons of Qira, using corn grown primarily within 100 miles of the site. As the world’s largest facility of its kind, it marks a major step forward in meeting global demand for more sustainable materials in everyday consumer products.

“Qore is able to leverage the deep agricultural network and world-class fermentation technology expertise from Cargill and Helm’s global market reach to bring Qira to life,” said Jon Veldhouse, CEO of Qore. “By providing a reliable, renewable, and transparent feedstock, Qira helps global manufacturers and brands implement identical materials that reduce reliance on oversea supply chains, bringing more transparency to their product portfolios.”

At the heart of the environmental benefits are Iowa farmers who apply regenerative agriculture practices for growing dent corn. These practices are a holistic and inclusive approach to land management, meant to restore soil and ecosystem health. The proximity of the feedstock enables greater traceability and transparency throughout the supply chain.

Versatile Applications for a Range of Industries

Qira is an identical replacement to fossil-derived BDO and can readily drop in to manufacturing processes across multiple industries, including:

• Fashion and Footwear – Helping to reduce the environmental footprint of textiles and apparel, while providing transparency of feedstock

• Beauty and Personal Care – Offering more sustainable alternatives for existing ingredient formulations

• Automotive and Electronics – Supporting more sustainable advancements in durable goods

• Packaging – Lowering reliance on fossil-based plastics derived from petroleum and coal

Top companies are already integrating Qira into their product strategies. The Lycra Company is adopting Qira to enhance the sustainability of Lycra fiber, with the potential to reduce its carbon footprint by up to 44-percent* compared to fossil-based alternatives – all without sacrificing performance. Similarly, BASF has secured a long-term supply agreement to incorporate Qira into its existing derivatives portfolio.

"By offering a bio-based alternative to fossil-based feedstock, we are empowering brands to reduce their environmental impact and respond to consumer demands for transparency, more sustainable, high-performing products," said Steve Kuiper, a fourth-generation Iowa farmer. “Our community is proud to play a vital role in making everyday products more sustainable.”

*Estimate from Cradle-to-Gate Screening LCA for a representative Lycra fiber manufacturing facility, June 2022, prepared by Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions.

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