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PBPC Newsletter December 6th, 2024

Welcome to the Plant Based Products Council Newsletter!

In this edition, explore the latest in PBPC news, activities, and groundbreaking innovations in the sustainability and bioeconomy sectors. Stay informed on current trends, updates, and exciting developments shaping our future.

Did you miss our latest issue? Read the November newsletter here.

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INC-5 TALKS FAIL TO REACH TREATY AGREEMENT

Work to produce a global agreement to curb plastic pollution ended recently without a deal, but negotiators have pledged to continue efforts to reach an agreement.

Talks convened by the United Nations concluded earlier this week in Busan, South Korea, resulted in no agreement on a sweeping deal that would reduce plastic pollution. Dubbed INC-5, it was the fifth round of talks that took place over the past two years, and leaders say they plan to continue efforts in the new year.

PBPC has been engaged in the process and advocating for the consideration of bioplastics as part of the negotiations.

PBPC AT COP29

PBPC Executive Director James Glueck and Senior Director of Sustainability and Government Affairs Jamaica Gayle recently represented the U.S. ag bioeconomy at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Gayle spoke on a panel about leveraging biotech value chains to advance food security and sustainability alongside experts from the International Fresh Produce Association and CropLife Brazil. Panelists also discussed the need for policymakers to fund R&D and deployment of next-gen technologies.

Glueck participated in a discussion on developing the circular bioeconomy to help reduce waste, create new jobs, and contribute to sustainable development goals. Glueck and Gayle also joined a UNFCCC side event co-organized by PBPC, the Corn Refiners Association, the International Council for Sustainable Energy (ICSE), and the Alliance to Save Energy that discussed how building a circular economy and adopting a holistic systems approach that embraces innovative materials and partnerships can achieve long-term and sustainable success in meeting climate goals and improve local communities.

PBPC’s Jamaica Gayle (far left) and James Glueck (second from left) took part in several events to promote the ag bioeconomy at COP29.

ROLLINS TAPPED FOR AG SECRETARY POST

President-elect Donald Trump has named Brooke Rollins as his pick to be the next Secretary of Agriculture.

Rollins brings a rural background and policy experience to the role. She worked in the White House during the first Trump Administration before leading the America First Policy Institute beginning in 2021. In preparation for upcoming confirmation hearings and consideration, she has been meeting with senators on Capitol Hill, including Sen. John Boozman, the Arkansas Republican expected to chair the Senate Agriculture Committee next year.

In a statement, Boozman said Rollins is “ready to hit the ground running and work with Congress to deliver a Farm Bill that addresses the needs of America’s agricultural producers.”

Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) and Ag Secretary Nominee-designate Brooke Rollins

Plant Based Products Council Executive Director James Glueck released the following statement after President-elect Donald Trump selected Brooke Rollins to serve as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture:

“The Plant Based Products Council is pleased to congratulate Brooke Rollins on President-elect Trump choosing her to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Plant-based products made in America from feedstocks produced by American farmers represent the future of the ag bioeconomy, and we look forward to a productive relationship with Rollins and others in the Trump Administration to bring quality jobs to rural communities, encourage innovative manufacturing processes, and grow the U.S. ag bioeconomy.”

WHITE HOUSE INTERAGENCY REPORT TO ADVANCE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOMANUFACTURING

On November 15th, the White House released its interagency report, Building A Vibrant Domestic Biomanufacturing Ecosystem, which provides an overview of the bioeconomy landscape and potential for economic growth. The Biden Administration highlights actions taken under the 2022 Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Executive Order and calls for 11 actions, including further leveraging current federal procurement practices, supporting research and development in the sector, and utilizing international partnerships to address cross-border challenges that might limit the global footprint of U.S. biomanufacturing.

The report also explores the disparity of investment in bioeconomy infrastructure. It notes that the global bioeconomy is currently a $4 trillion industry and could grow to $30 trillion by 2050, but “without sustained U.S. investment, there is a risk of geographically concentrating biomanufacturing capacity in locations that could lead to supply chain vulnerabilities in times of geopolitical tension.” The White House document sets the stage for future Federal action and highlights the need to “coordinate efforts across government to address these proposed actions.”

DOE SEEKS INPUT ON CIRCULARITY STRATEGY

The Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) recently released a request for information seeking feedback on its draft strategic framework on circularity for secure and sustainable products and materials.

The focus of the draft framework is the unique challenges related to the recirculation of products and materials at the end-of-use or end-of-life back into the economy. This document describes EERE’s economic and environmental impact goals related to increasing product and material circularity, communicates EERE’s existing work, identifies opportunities, challenges, and enablers for advancing circularity, and provides a framework for prioritization of funded research and development as well as a vision for future activities related to product and material circularity.

EERE is soliciting input from stakeholders across industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies and policy experts, to refine its approach. Responses to the RFI must be submitted electronically no later than 5 p.m. EST on Dec. 16, 2024.

INTERNATIONAL BIOECONOMY FORUM IN 2025

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) plans to roll out a new initiative, the International Bioeconomy Forum, in early 2025.

NASEM says the forum will serve as an ongoing, neutral platform for experts in academia, industry, government, and non-governmental organizations to explore opportunities and challenges in the global bioeconomy.

Visit the NASEM International Bioeconomy Forum website to learn more.

PBPC MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

Interested in becoming a PBPC member? All PBPC members receive a variety of benefits that provide their organization a voice in Washington while helping them stay up to date on the latest policy developments, communicate with their audiences, access valuable insights, and more. Read about PBPC’s impact on the industry in the 2023 Annual Report. Tiered membership levels are available to fit the needs of any member of the plant-based products supply chain. Visit our website or reach out to PBPC’s Keniece Barbee to learn more.

PLANT-BASED INNOVATIONS

Almost every day we see new developments in the plant-based product space. Learn more about what’s ahead for circular innovations.

SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS & NEWS

As more consumers seek environmentally friendly products, brands are adapting to meet these demands by offering more sustainable solutions. Here are some of the top stories covering these trends and providing insights on the latest industry news.

GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Following the recent election, changes in the Administration, on Capitol Hill, and across the U.S. legal landscape will have an impact on sustainability efforts.

PBPC MEMBER NEWS

The dedicated work of our members toward a more sustainable future never ceases to amaze us. PBPC members are actively setting sweeping environmental commitments, partnering with others to make sustainable solutions more accessible, or even launching new plant-based materials. Below, find some of the impressive work of our members over the last weeks.

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