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Course Description:
This course is intended to give a broad overview of fermentation markets and their growth potential. It will discuss the basic fundamentals of scaling up fermentations, identifying process resources, and building new facilities. There will be several opportunities for networking throughout this course.
Learners will gain a basic understanding of:
- Fermentation markets and the bioeconomy
- What considerations to make when scaling up a fermentation process
- What considerations to make when building a new facility
- Resources available in Illinois and the Midwest region
Important Information
Course Dates: November 3-4, 2026
Registration Opens: January 5
Course Location: IBRL (1300 W. Pennsylvania Ave.)
Cost: $750
Target Audience
- Companies looking to expand infrastructure or partner with pilot, demo or production scale facilities
- Counties, municipalities, and economic development organizations looking to attract biomanufacturing
- Workforce development entities trying to better understand the growth of the industry
- Investors looking to learn more about the industry
- Equipment vendors
- Utility providers
Tentative Agenda
Day 1
Welcome – Dr. Beth Conerty, IBRL/iFAB
An Industry Perspective – Primient
Scale-up – Brian Jacobson, IBRL
Fermentation Design – Michael Tai, Boston Bioprocess
DSP Considerations – IBRL
FOAK Playbook – John Ellersick, NextRung Technology
Process Modeling & Economic Analysis – Matt Menegay, ADM
Tech Transfers – Kevin Lerner, IBRL
Investor Toolkit – John Ellersick, NextRung Technology
Pilot Plant Tours – IBRL/FSHNPP
Day 2
Site Readiness & Location Considerations – Lenora Fisher, iFAB
Facility Construction Considerations – Jeremy Owen, Black & Veatch
Panel Discussion on New Plant Construction – Moderated by Jeremy Owen, Black & Veatch
Partnerships
Contacts
Kerri Peters kerrip@illinois.edu 217-333-7311
Hotel Information
IBRL has reserved a block of hotel rooms at the Holiday Inn Champaign. You can make a reservation either by calling (217) 398-3400 or by following this booking link. Rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. The block expires October 5.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations will be accepted until 10/16/2026 and the registration fee will be refunded. No refunds will be issued after that date.