March 8, 2022

This paid piece is sponsored by POET.

A new partnership among POET, South Dakota State University and South Dakota Mines will establish the POET Bioproducts Institute, an innovation center for the development of high-quality bioproducts.

The facility will allow for research collaboration and provide students with courses in bioprocessing and value-added agriculture.

“At POET, our Midwestern roots run deep, and we’re proud to be headquartered here in South Dakota,” said Jeff Lautt, president and COO. “We’re very excited about the potential of this facility to cultivate the next generation of ag leaders and innovators, and we’re grateful to SDSU and SD Mines for their continuous investment in the future of South Dakota and its citizens.”

The facility signifies a public-private partnership involving the two universities, legislative funding and private investors. POET has committed $5 million to the SDSU Foundation to go toward constructing and furnishing the production-scale bioproducts laboratory, which will be at the SDSU Research Park in Brookings. This gift is in addition to an $800,000 donation made by POET in 2019 for the construction of the Raven Precision Agriculture Center.

POET, South Dakota State University and South Dakota Mines held a groundbreaking ceremony for the POET Bioproducts Institute at the SDSU Research Park in Brookings.

“Agriculture is one of South Dakota’s most essential industries, but we have only scratched the surface of its enormous potential,” said Jeff Broin, POET founder and CEO. “Now more than ever, we must continue to develop cutting-edge innovations in low-carbon biofuels and bioproducts in order to protect our planet. The POET Bioproducts Institute will be a catalyst in creating processes and technologies that will lead our nation’s conversion from a fossil-based economy to an ag-based economy.”

Agriculture generates more than $20 billion in annual economic activity for the state of South Dakota.

“As a world leader in the research and development of sustainable, ag-based biofuels and bioproducts, POET is proud to work alongside South Dakota universities in their quest to continuously seek out new ideas and cutting-edge technologies to advance the bioeconomy,” Broin said.

Construction on the POET Bioproducts Institute is expected to be completed in 2023. POET will be actively involved with the facility, including in the areas of design, curriculum development and governance.

“As the threat of climate change grows, it is critical that we utilize what grows on the surface of the Earth — rather than what’s buried deep below its surface — to meet the world’s most pressing needs,” Broin said. “Right now, we need leaders to lead and innovators to innovate — and the POET Bioproducts Institute is a significant step in the right direction.”