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PBPC Newsletter June 13, 2025

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.

Missed our latest issue? Read the May 9th newsletter here. Know someone interested in our industry? Encourage them to subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.

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HELP US ADVOCATE FOR A STRONGER BIOECONOMY 

With the bipartisan reintroduction of the Ag Bio Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, now is the time to make your voice heard. PBPC is mobilizing advocates to support this critical legislation, which will expand biomanufacturing capacity, drive rural economic growth, and accelerate innovation in sustainable, plant-based products. If you’re passionate about advancing a circular economy rooted in American agriculture, sign up to be a PBPC advocate and help us show Congress the power and potential of the bioeconomy. 

RECONCILIATION PACKAGE AND THE AG BIOECONOMY

Legislation under consideration on Capitol Hill includes several policy priorities of the Trump Administration and congressional Republicans. Among the bill’s provisions is an extension of existing tax policy that is slated to expire this year, funding of several risk management tools for growers, and language concerning other Farm Bill policies. 

Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration are working to secure passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which advanced through the House in May and is currently pending in the Senate. The House-passed version originally included language to extend USDA’s BioPreferred Program, but the provision was stripped out due to technical limitations of the budget reconciliation process. PBPC continues to work with bipartisan legislative champions on modernization and reauthorization of the BioPreferred Program.  

The Senate is currently considering the bill, which congressional leaders aim to pass by July 4. 

CALRECYCLE DELAYS COMPOSTABLE PRODUCTS BAN IMPLEMENTATION 

CalRecycle has extended the effective date of a state law (AB 1201) banning compostable products unless they are permitted in compost as defined under the federal USDA National Organic Program. The 18-month extension pushes the start date from Jan. 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. PBPC will continue to engage alongside industry partners in support of BPI’s pending petition at USDA and other efforts to offer greater certainty on this issue.

PLANT-BASED LEADERS BLOG: ADM 

In our latest Plant-Based Leaders blog, we feature Kris Lutt, President of Sustainable Materials and Strategic Initiatives at ADM. A founding member of PBPC and a global leader in agricultural processing, ADM is advancing the next generation of sustainable materials through its growing Biosolutions business.

Learn how ADM’s legacy, innovation, and partnerships are powering the bioeconomy and supporting national priorities like supply chain resilience and rural development. Read the full blog post on PBPC.

PBPC member NatureWorks was recently on Capitol Hill for meetings to promote the benefits of the ag bioeconomy and the industry’s need for policy certainty and stability. Pictured (L to R): NatureWorks CEO Erik Ripple, Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE), and PBPC Board of Directors member Shannon Pinc. 

PBPC STAFF SHARE EXPERTISE 

Members of the PBPC staff were recently on the road to discuss the work of the organization to promote the growth of the ag bioeconomy.

Jamaica Gayle
Jamaica Gayle, PBPC Senior Director of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs

PBPC Senior Director of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs Jamaica Gayle traveled to Costa Rica in May for the International Conference of the Latin American Bioeconomy Network. The event serves as a regional forum bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and multilateral institutions to advance the future of the bioeconomy across the Americas and beyond. Gayle’s remarks focused on the economic impact of the U.S. bioeconomy and the sector’s bipartisan support.

PBPC’s Executive Director, James Glueck
James Glueck, PBPC Executive Director

PBPC Executive Director James Glueck was in State College, Pennsylvania, this week for the 2nd Annual Technologies for Agriculture and Living Systems Symposium. With the theme of “Closing the Innovation Gap: Cross-Sector Insights and Collaboration in Technologies for Ag & Living Systems,” the event brought together partners from the life sciences, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, and technology sectors along with Pennsylvania state officials to consider opportunities for innovation and economic development in the state. Glueck spoke on a panel titled “Ag and Manufacturing” and was joined by Penn State Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Steve Chmely and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Deputy Secretary Jennifer Gilburg.

PBPC ADDS NEW STAFF 

Two new leaders recently joined the staff of the Plant Based Products Council.

Sydney Van de Meulebroecke, PBPC Manager of Bioproducts Policy
Ameya Khanapurkar is PBPC's Project and Policy Coordinator
Ameya Khanapurkar, PBPC Project and Policy Coordinator

Sydney Van de Meulebroecke is the organization’s new Manager of Bioproducts Policy. In this role, Sydney will support the advancement of PBPC’s federal policy agenda, bringing valuable expertise in sustainability, regulatory affairs, and stakeholder engagement to PBPC’s growing advocacy efforts. 

PBPC also recently added Ameya Khanapurkar to its team as the organization’s Project and Policy Coordinator. Khanapurkar will support a variety of efforts, including membership recruitment and engagement.

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 2024 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

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

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

With the 119th Congress well underway and the Administration’s priorities taking shape, the sustainability landscape continues to evolve. Read more about the latest developments.

PBPC MEMBER NEWS

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

If you support our mission to promote sustainable, circular solutions through plant-based products, sign up for our newsletter! We’ll keep you updated on our latest initiatives and opportunities for you to get involved.

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