On August 20, 2024, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced seven additional awards to bioindustrial firms via the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP), bringing the DBIMP to 13 awards to date totaling $23 million. The following companies will receive funding to produce business and technical plans that detail construction of domestic bioindustrial manufacturing production facilities:

• Battelle, based in Columbus, Ohio, was awarded $1.85 million to plan a facility for producing less expensive chemicals that are needed to produce smokeless propellants and other energetic materials. Production is expected to occur at Battelle’s Advanced Pilot Facility in Aberdeen, Maryland.
• Biosphere, based in Oakland, California, was awarded $1.5 million to plan a commercial-scale manufacturing plant for high-performance oils with direct use across defense application areas of food, fuel, and fabrication. The facility location is yet to be determined.
• Genomatica, based in San Diego, was awarded $1.51 million to plan a multiproduct biorefinery to produce domestically polymer precursors that have applications in the aviation and automobile markets. Facility sites in the U.S. Midwest are being considered.
• Industrial Microbes, based in Alameda, California, was awarded $1.55 million to plan a commercial-scale facility to convert ethanol feedstock into acrylic acid that can be used in coatings, adhesives, sealants, lubricants, corrosion inhibitors, and wound dressings. The facility location is yet to be determined.
• Modular Genetics, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was awarded $2.53 million to plan a facility expected to bring overseas production of a vital precursor for energetic materials back to the U.S. industrial base. According to DOD, the company’s proprietary technology reduces waste costs for industrial-scale production of this chemical. Production is expected to occur in West Virginia.
• The Better Meat Company, based in West Sacramento, California, was awarded $1.48 million to plan a bioproduction facility for mycoprotein ingredients that are shelf-stable, have high protein and fiber contents, and can be dehydrated. The facility location is yet to be determined.
• ZymoChem, based in San Leandro, California, was awarded $1.57 million to plan a bioproduction facility for biobased monomers used to fabricate military fabrics, tactical gear, parachute systems, aerospace materials, and other high-performance materials. DOD notes that establishing domestic production of these monomers would reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. The facility location is yet to be determined.

Successful projects that were selected under the competitive announcement can receive follow-on awards that would provide access to up to $100 million to build a U.S.-based bioindustrial manufacturing facility. According to DOD, these awards are some of more than 30 expected to be conferred as part of the White House’s Executive Order 14081, “Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy,” aimed at bolstering America’s bioeconomic strengths while helping DOD achieve advanced defense capabilities.