By Illinois Radio Network/Greg Bishop
CHAMPAIGN – Officials at the University of Illinois say a new bioprocessing research laboratory that was 20 years in the making, costing $26 million, will spur on needed developments in renewable resources and make central Illinois the bioprocessing capital of the world.
Officials were on hand in Champaign-Urbana Thursday cutting the ribbon on the new Illinois Bioprocessing Research Laboratory. Gov. Bruce Rauner said the facility will help spur on much needed developments in how to process byproducts from Illinois’ major agricultural products.
“Whether it’s in building materials, whether it’s in fuels, whether it’s in chemicals, whether it’s in cosmetics, in so many ways petroleum-based products will be gradually moving away into the past and sustainable renewable bioproducts will be leading the way for the future,” Rauner said.
U of I President Tim Killeen said the Illinois Bioprocessing Research Laboratory will bring together Illinois agriculture and academia to lead the country and world in innovation of renewable energy and materials.
“First of all we’re surrounded by corn, beans, livestock and are readily accessible,” Killeen said. “In addition, we have a vibrant intellectual community, young people, faculty, just buzzing with innovative ideas and extraordinarily strong work ethic. U of I is also continuously ranked as … among the top institutions for both agriculture and engineering.”
Killeen also said the facility is already helping the university get grants from national groups and will propel Illinois into a leadership role for bioprocessing research. Killeen said the IBRL will go hand-in-hand with the previously announced Discovery Partners Institute and Illinois Innovation Network.
State. Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said in a statement the facility working alongside agribusinesses and farmers will create jobs.
