US Edition
$360M Cargill-Backed Corn Plant in Iowa Makes Eco Spandex Element for Athleisure Wear
EDDYVILLE, IOWA, JUL 22 – The $360 million Qore plant will produce 66,000 metric tons annually of QIRA, a bio-based chemical replacing fossil fuels in spandex and other consumer products, supporting local corn demand.
- On July 22, 2025, Qore’s Eddyville plant started QIRA production, turning corn into a renewable spandex building block.
- Qore, formed as a Cargill-HELM AG joint venture in 2021, responds to sustainability and consumer demand while using local corn to produce QIRA.
- The Eddyville plant's 66,000 metric ton capacity highlights its scale, demanding 100 million bushels of corn annually, and Lycra plans to halve the fiber’s carbon footprint.
- Rep. Hans Wilz said the expansion highlights the plant’s broader impact on jobs, sustainability and cleaner clothing, while Wilz noted the plant has a bigger footprint than most realize.
- Next year, QIRA will begin reaching international markets, and the company plans to export it to other countries.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Iowa plant produces corn-based chemical for use in making fabrics, plastics - Radio Iowa
A new $300 million facility in Eddyville has begun producing a corn-based chemical that will be used to make consumer goods. Jon Veldhouse is the CEO of Qore, a joint venture of Minnesota-based Cargill and a German chemical company called HELM AG. He says they’ve named the product QIRA. “QIRA is a building block that goes […]
Cherokee Tribune Ledger News
Cargill expands Eddyville plant to produce a bio-based alternative to petroleum materials
EDDYVILLE – Iowa-grown corn will soon end up in the fibers of Spanx apparel and other products typically made with petroleum-based components, manufactured at a new facility at the Cargill plant in Eddyville. Qore, the joint venture between Minnesota-based Cargill…
$360M Cargill-backed corn plant in Iowa makes eco spandex element for athleisure wear
In the not-so-distant future, the stretch in yoga pants will come from Midwestern corn. Qore, a Cargill joint venture, opened a $360 million plant in Eddyville, Iowa, this month that can turn corn sugar into a building block for spandex…
$360M Cargill-backed corn plant in Iowa makes eco spandex element for athleisure wear - Albert Lea Tribune
By Brooks Johnson, Star Tribune (TNS) In the not-so-distant future, the stretch in yoga pants will come from Midwestern corn. Qore, a Cargill joint venture, opened a $360 million plant in Eddyville, Iowa, this month that can turn corn sugar into a building block for spandex and many other consumer products. “We’re bringing the farm to fashion,” said Qore CEO Jon Veldhouse. The plant’s signature product, Qira, is identical to fossil fuel-derived …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
