Biobased Product



A biobased product, as defined by the United States Secretary of Agriculture in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, is any manufactured, commercial, or industrial good (non-food) that is made up of biological materials or agricultural resources within the United States. Such materials may come from the byproducts of animals, plants, or other biological sources that are non-petroleum based.

Sources of Biobased Products
Some examples of agricultural resources that make up many biobased products include: soybeans, corn, kenaf, flax, jute, and numerous other types of crops that are harvested all across America. Current applications of these agricultural resources create products such as ethanol (corn-based), soy candles, soy-based lubricants, kenaf office paper, and bioplastics to name a few.

Benefits of Biobased Products
The purchasing of biobased products helps many of the farmers across America who grow corn, soybeans, and other resources used by companies in the biobased industry. For example, ethanol is currently one of the leading alternative fuel sources in the U.S. In 2005 year, the Renewable Fuels Association reported 3,904 million gallons produced by 81 plants. Currently for the 2006 year, there are 97 ethanol plants with 33 more in production. A majority of these plants are owned by a collective of farms across the midwest. Another key benefit of biobased products is that they are not petroleum-based. This helps alleviate the consumption of resources that harm the environment in terms of biodegrability, toxicity, and pollution.

Organizations for Biobased Products
The following organizations are leading the way in supporting the Biobased Industry.

Federal Biobased Products Preferred Procurement Program (FB4P)
The FB4P program was created after the passing of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (FSRIA), also known as the 2002 Farm Bill. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is overseeing the program, with the work being done at Iowa State University. The research undertaken by the program helps implement the Farm Bill’s requirement of getting federal agencies to specifically buy biobased products. One key factor is the requirement that such products are readily available, reasonably priced, and pass the required performance standards of their non-biobased counterparts.

United Soybean Board
The United Soybean Board helps promote the use of soybeans farmed across America for use in consumer and industrial products. Originally created from the 1990 Farm Bill and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the United Soybean Board performs research, advertising, and other functions to strengthen the soybean industry. To see the variety of products made from soybeans, a directory of products and companies is offered on their website.

Examples of companies that develop Biobased Products

 * Green Products, LLC. : biopolymer manufacturers of biobased building products designed to not only replace but out perform petroleum building products. Soy based roof coatings, adhesives, sealants and solvents. Inventors of the Environmental Liquid Membrane System (r), Naturalock(r) Biobased low rise foam adhesive and aMAIZEingTM biobased solvent and stripper products.


 * Dustkill Inc. : Produces a series of biobased products aimed at suppressing dust for industrial roads, pavement, indoors, and many other applications. All of their products are 100% agriculturally derived.


 * BioBlend Renewable Resources LLC : Develops, Manufacturers, and Distributes biobased and biodegradable lubricants derived from soy, corn, canola, sunflower, and other renewable resources.


 * Gemtek Products : Offers a line of multi-purpose cleaners, solvents, lubricants, and other products that are normally petroleum based.


 * NatureWorks LLC : Produces a variety of polymers that come from biobased resources, such as corn, which can be made into apparel, biodegradable containers, bedding, and numerous other applications.


 * Renewable Lubricants, Inc. : Develops biobased lubricants derived from soy, corn, canola, sunflower, and other renewable resources grown from farmers across North America