“Qore is able to leverage the deep agricultural network and world-class fermentation technology expertise from Cargill and Helm's global market reach to bring Qira to life,” said Jon Veldhouse, CEO of Qore. Qore
- Deep dive: Waste-free Beauty
Qira: A Sustainable Alternative for Cosmetics and Packaging Innovation
This alternative to fossil-derived BDO can be used in the manufacture of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a water-soluble polymer used as a film former in cosmetics like mascara and eyeliner.
It also has applicability in skin care, per the company, including face masks.
PVP's smooth, uniform film forming on the surface of the hair makes it appropriate for hair sprays, hair gels and shampoos.
This same film-forming capability makes PVP useful in dental care products, particularly teeth whitening products and toothpastes.
BASF is said to have secured a long-term supply agreement to incorporate Qira into its existing derivatives portfolio.
In addition to beauty ingredients, Qira can be used to produce polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) used in cosmetic packaging, reportedly offering a higher biodegradability than traditional polyethylene. Qira can also be used in the production of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for packaging and other applications.
Critically, Qira functions as a drop-in solution for brands, offering a 1-for-1 replacement for conventional BDO.
Qira FAQ: Food Competition, Sustainable Claims & More
Global Cosmetic Industry recently spoke to Jon Veldhouse, CEO of Qore, to learn more about Qira.
The executive calls Qira the "gold standard" of BDO based on quality and transparency, noting that many conventional BDO feedstocks rely on fossil sources and producers outside the United States.
Because some BDO supply chains aren't transparent, Veldhouse says, "brands don’t really know where it’s coming from."
(The executive says Qore has conducted a full lifecycle analysis on Qira in developing the material's sustainability claims.)
Qore's operation, by contrast, pulls from Iowa dent corn, also called grain corn, which is typified by a high level of soft starch. This is distinct from the sweet corn eaten off the cob, for instance, or the flint corn used for popcorn.
Dent corn is used to produce high-fructose corn syrup, ethanal and even packaging materials. By drawing on this feedstock, Qira avoids competing with food crops.
Corn has an additional advantage: prior to harvest, the crops draw CO2 from the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the local domestic feedstock and production site provides on-shoring benefits for companies seeking U.S.-based sourcing.
Qore Unveils $300M Iowa Facility to Revolutionize Sustainable Supply Chains
"By offering a bio-based alternative to fossil-based feedstock, we are empowering brands to reduce their environmental impact and respond to consumer demands for transparency, more sustainable, high-performing products," said Steve Kuiper, a fourth-generation Iowa farmer. Qore
The site is expected to produce 66,000 metric tons of Qira, using corn grown primarily within 100 miles of the site, which is approximately 70 miles southeast of Des Moines.
Qore's mission to support more sustainable, responsible supply chains was developed in cooperation with early customers, such as BASF (for ingredient applications) and Lycra (for apparel applications).
To meet the challenge, Qore is tapping the agricultural expertise of Cargill and the chemical distribution specialties of Helm AG to connect the supply chain to consumer brands.
Though Qore's facility is opening now, the project is actually in its eighth year of development, reflecting the sophistication of reshaping supply chains.
“Qore is able to leverage the deep agricultural network and world-class fermentation technology expertise from Cargill and Helm's global market reach to bring Qira to life,” says Veldhouse. “By providing a reliable, renewable, and transparent feedstock, Qira helps global manufacturers and brands implement identical materials that reduce reliance on overseas supply chains, bringing more transparency to their product portfolios.”
“This is a bold, exciting step forward for Qore, our state, and the supply chains of the world," says Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. "Now, thanks to the incredible innovation behind QIRA, Qore’s bio-based BDO, Iowa crops will not only feed and fuel the globe, but sustain it. I’m grateful to Cargill, Helm and everyone who helped steward this site from vision to reality. In doing so, they’ve paved the way to stronger markets and more sustainable supply chains. I couldn’t be happier to help Qore, its workers, and our citizens reach new heights of prosperity—together.”
"By offering a bio-based alternative to fossil-based feedstock, we are empowering brands to reduce their environmental impact and respond to consumer demands for transparency, more sustainable, high-performing products," says Steve Kuiper, a fourth-generation Iowa farmer. “Our community is proud to play a vital role in making everyday products more sustainable.”
