Evonik, DSM to Invest $200M in Blair, Cargill Campus

Another major announcement – the second in less than three months – signals more remarkable growth for the City of Blair and the Greater Omaha region. On June 15, Evonik and Royal DSM announced their plans to open a joint manufacturing venture – called Veramaris – in Blair on the Cargill campus. The $200 million facility will produce an innovative, new omega-3 fatty acid. Each will contribute $100 million over the course of two years.

Venture partner Evonik is a known commodity in the community. The Germany-based company has been operating its own amino acid production facility in Blair for almost 20 years. The new commercial-scale plant, expected to be operational in 2019, will be located adjacent to Evonik’s current facility. Lisa Scheve, executive director of Gateway Development Corp., a member of the Greater Omaha Chamber Economic Development Partnership, has been working with Evonik the past three years to encourage expansion in Blair.

The Veramaris announcement follows the news that international biotech company Evolva is planning to grow its global operation in collaboration with Cargill’s campus. The Switzerland-based company develops, makes and sells high-value specialty ingredients, including stevia, nootkatone and resveratrol.