Quore starts producing world’s first large-scale 1,4-butanediol from dent corn

In Iowa, 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.

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.