State officials are providing a one-MILLION dollar forgiveable loan to a Japanese company that plans to make what it calls “spider silk” at a facility in Clinton.
Spider silk is plant-based and, according to a news release from the Iowa Ecoomic Development Authority, it’s an alternative to nylon and other materials made out of petroleum. Spiber (SPY-ber), Incorporated, is working in partnership with A-D-M and plans to inest more than 101 million dollars in the project. State officials say the operation will be the first of its kind in the United States. According to a news release from the State of Iowa, the Japanese company has worked with The North Face to make a bio-degradbale jacket. The company is installing equipment at A-D-M’s biorefinery in Clinton — equipment for a process that involves fermentation, spinning the plant fibers and weaving them into fabric.
Clinton Regional Development Corporation Executive Erin Cold told KROS NEWS the new facility will create 5 jobs with a fiew added at ADM. She said potential for Research and Development a ‘Spinning’ manufacturing plant are keys to more potential jobs.
Cole also says it good to be first in landing this type of high-tech facility and will make other companies start to look at ‘why Clinton’ and could help attract other similar businesses.
(story a collaboration of Radio Iowa & KROS NEWS)
