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Thank you for your interest in iPROOF and accelerating the American bioeconomy.
iPROOF stands for Illinois Pilot Research and Operations Optimization Facility. It is an independent, purpose-built, up-to-10,000-liter scale fermentation process development facility in Decatur, IL launching in 2027.
The U.S. bioeconomy is an economic growth engine focused on harnessing biotechnology to produce a range of consumer goods and services. By using renewable biological inputs and biotech processes, manufacturers are able to reduce their carbon footprints and shorten their supply chains.
iPROOF is designed to help innovators bridge the gap between pilot-scale and commercial-ready bioproducts technology– a critical challenge for developing and de-risking new, bio-based products in the U.S. market.
Precision fermentation is a biotechnology process that uses specialized microbes to convert a nutrient-enriched substrate, like corn-derived dextrose, into a specifically targeted molecule or biomaterial. Precision fermentation with renewable inputs can produce bioidentical ingredients while using less water and producing lower emissions than conventional inputs.
Booking of precision fermentation services at the facility will begin in mid- to late-2026. Construction on the iPROOF facility began in the first quarter of 2026. The facility is anticipated to be operational in the spring of 2027.
iPROOF will provide modular downstream processing unit operations that include centrifugation, filtration, and spray drying, allowing for flexible process needs. Services are designed to facilitate process development and scaling of bioproducts in a cost-effective, risk-reducing environment.
iPROOF supports start-ups and innovators in the food and beverage, protein, biomass, specialty chemical industries, and more. Working with iPROOF, these organizations can develop and scale next-generation bioproduct designed to reduce supply chain complexity, increase markets for domestic raw materials, and lower the carbon footprints of products.
Fermentation innovators are encouraged to reach out to iPROOF in mid-2026 to ensure availability for 2027 projects. We will begin booking time at the new facility in Q3 of 2026.
Begin your iPROOF journey by connecting with us here:
Contact iPROOF to discuss your precision fermentation and bioprocessing needs and learn more about the capabilities of our new facility.
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