On Point: Q&A With Carson Billingsley

How does biomanufacturing contribute to national security?
Biomanufacturing is the ultimate multipurpose platform, securing the United States’ reindustrialized manufacturing base with resiliency and adaptability.

Products derived from biomanufacturing are not defined by fixed infrastructure but instead by programmable living systems. When faced with a national security threat, biomanufacturers can swap microbes within the same steel tanks to produce different products—pivoting without rebuilding or retooling.

Also, manufacturing can only surge or pivot with sustained feedstock, and biomanufacturing relies on inputs that are plentiful at home: renewable agricultural biomass, such as corn. While traditional manufacturing depends on globalized inorganic materials often outside U.S. control, biomanufacturing taps the strength of the American heartland to bolster self-sufficiency.

What are some Defense Department uses for biomanufactured products?
Biomanufacturing offers the Defense Department products that reduce key dependencies and create new advantages. 

The age-old practice of fermentation is now a cutting-edge manufacturing platform supporting food, fuel, medicine, and materials. The DoD recognizes the value of fermentation-based biomanufacturing for globally vulnerable defense ingredients and materials. Current examples under development include energetic binders, rocket propellants, enhanced wool fibers and coatings and adhesives free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or forever chemicals.

Biomanufacturing is not just a replacement but also a step-change in capability. Living systems can create products with improved performance, accessibility and health benefits. Defense developments include nutrition-fortified rations, on-demand blood for austere environments, probiotics for soldier resilience and advanced materials for equipment.

It should be no surprise that biomanufacturing remained on the DoD’s recently narrowed list of six critical technology areas.

What’s at risk if the United States falls behind in biomanufacturing?
As for any technological frontier, ceding biomanufacturing leadership has real consequences for the United States. 

In addition to losing greater control of supply chains and forfeiting strategic military advantages, there is a large economic opportunity cost. Biomanufactured products are projected to drive major growth across numerous industries, and domestic biomanufacturing plants can revitalize rural communities tied to the agricultural value chain.

Falling behind also risks overreliance on traditional manufacturing, which is too inflexible to meet the unconventional crises and conflicts of the 21st century. The United States cannot afford long, expensive retooling cycles when agile manufacturing is security on the global stage.

How can the United States overcome challenges to expand biomanufacturing?
There are two major bottlenecks hindering biomanufacturing expansion: infrastructure and research. 

Not surprisingly, commercial scale biomanufacturing infrastructure is prohibitively expensive. The federal government has the opportunity to ensure that capital for strategic reindustrialization, like biomanufacturing, is accessible and affordable, such as by expanding funding for government-backed loans or defense-focused manufacturing award programs.

Likewise, certain leap-ahead research will transform the industry. One breakthrough would be to diversify biomanufacturing feedstock away from staple food crops into differentiated agriculture and waste streams. Another would be to develop streamlined equipment so that diverse product classes are produced cost-competitively under one roof. It’s critical that the U.S. government sponsor research challenges to advance these capabilities.

What is the outlook for commercial biomanufacturing?
Demand for commercial biomanufactured solutions continues to rise.

Farmers and manufacturers are repeatedly hit with pressures and increased costs to produce within the United States. Biomanufacturing companies like Novonesis are becoming increasingly valued as a partner with biological solutions that add performance, resourcing and pricing advantages. And with recent disruptions in supply chains, customer preferences and macroeconomic policies, biomanufacturers continue to prove the success of multipurpose, flexible production strategies that can pivot or relocate. 

Commercial biomanufacturing growth is nothing but good news for U.S. consumers, rural communities and a defense-ready domestic manufacturing base.

This column has been edited for clarity and concision.