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Profitable perennials for the bioeconomy

The Biomass Innovation Hub (BIH) is a University of Illinois initiative that combines existing assets with new resources to jump-start a biomass-to-manufactured product ecosystem for miscanthus in Central Illinois. Miscanthus and other related crops offer scalable solutions across sectors of industry, including energy, packaging, pet care, and more. Illinois is a leader in biomass research and production. The BIH is leveraging multiple university resources to support workforce development and product innovation. Along the way, BIH and its partners will build a reliable supply chain. The BIH bridges the gap between research and commercialization, bringing science into society in an economically viable way.

VISION

BIH envisions a thriving bioeconomy where science, industry, and community collaborate to build resilient, sustainable supply chains for biomass-based manufacturing. By leveraging Illinois’ leadership in agricultural research and innovation, we seek to position Central Illinois as a national model for biomass-to-product development.

GOALS

• Jumpstart a regional ecosystem: Plant and use 10,000 acres of miscanthus near U. of I. by 2035 to fuel research, community, and commercial innovation.
  
• Become a central hub: Create a one-stop resource for farmers, investors, regulators, and communities to navigate the biomass marketplace.
  
• Train new leaders: Prepare students and professionals across agriculture, engineering, policy, and business.
  
• Showcase innovation: Turn South Farms into a living lab for regenerative crops and real-world tech validation.
  
• Partner with industry: Build collaborations that move biomass products from idea to market.

Led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, BIH is a transdisciplinary initiative that brings together expertise from across campus — including the Colleges of ACES, LAS, and Grainger Engineering — and partners from industry. Together, we are building a future where perennial biomass plays a central role in sustainable production systems. 
 

Target: 10,000 acres of miscanthus to be planted and used by 2035

One of our first major milestones is to establish 10,000 acres of miscanthus within a 90-mile radius of Champaign-Urbana over the next decade. This biomass will serve as the foundation for profitable bioproducts developed in collaboration with industry leaders.