Bioforge Marshall LLC has secured a $213.6 million loan through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Loan Programs Office (LPO). The company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Solugen Inc., will use the money to build a new production plant in Marshall, Minnesota. The new 500,000-square-foot facility will manufacture bio-based organic acids for a variety of industries, including concrete, cleaning, agricultural, and energy. The project is expected to generate 56 new jobs for the surrounding area, and production is scheduled to begin in 2025.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, Gaurab Chakrabarti, CEO of Solugen, said, "American manufacturing is at a turning point, and we are proud to have the opportunity to work with the DOE in bringing critical chemical production capabilities onshore to communities like Marshall. By scaling cutting-edge technologies, we are meeting domestic demand for innovative solutions and setting global standards for sustainable biomanufacturing."
Sean Hunt, CTO of Solugen, added, "Scaling our Bioforge platform is not only a technological advancement, but a strategic move to fortify the domestic supply chain for critical chemicals. This project will serve as a model for how innovative technologies can revive American industries and maintain our competitive edge on a global scale."
Manufacturers investing in Minnesota
Marotta Controls opens motor manufacturing facility in Minnesota
The new 10,000-square-foot plant will manufacture Motorfox brushless DC motors.
Polar Semiconductor receives $120 million from the CHIPS Act to expand Minnesota plant
The expansion is expected to allow Polar to increase its production of 200mm semiconductor wafers to approximately 40,000 wafers per month.
DOE in the news
Qcells receives $1.45 billion loan to open solar supply chain manufacturing facility in Georgia
The new production plant will manufacture ingots, wafers, cells, and finished panels at a multi-gigawatt scale.
Heat pump manufacturers receive $85 million to ramp up production
The DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) will oversee the projects, which have the potential to generate over 500 new jobs.
U.S. government spends $24 million to increase clean energy workforce training programs for manufacturers
The 21 projects will also expand the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Training and Assessment Centers network.
Investing in American manufacturing in 2024
This map shows where manufacturers are choosing to invest their resources, whether they are building new production facilities or expanding existing plants.