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PBPC 2025 Member Fly-In Highlights Bipartisan Momentum for Ag Bioeconomy
May 9, 2025
Washington, D.C. — This week, the Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) brought together its diverse membership — including American farmers, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and consumer-facing brands — in Washington, D.C. for its 2025 Member Meeting and Fly-In. The multi-day event served as a platform for advancing bipartisan policies that will strengthen the agriculture-based bioeconomy and expand the role of U.S. biomanufacturing in driving sustainable economic growth.
“The United States is at a pivotal moment to lead the global shift toward biomanufacturing, where agricultural innovation meets industrial resilience,” said PBPC Executive Director James Glueck. “With thoughtful federal policy, the bioeconomy can deliver long-term economic and national security benefits for farmers, consumers, rural communities, and bioeconomy pioneers in the private sector.”
Throughout the fly-in, PBPC members engaged with federal officials to advocate for policies that will accelerate innovation, open new markets, and unlock the full potential of plant-based products. Priority issues included:
- Establishing harmonized bioproduct terminology
- Modernizing USDA’s BioPreferred Program
- Securing NAICS codes for biomanufacturing
- Improving USDA’s Section 9003 loan guarantee program
- Expanding composting and end-of-life infrastructure
PBPC members conducted meetings with 21 congressional offices across nine states to underscore the importance of building a resilient, circular economy rooted in agriculture. Members also met directly with Representatives Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) to express support for the reintroduced Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity (Ag BIO) Act — bipartisan legislation that will foster U.S. innovation, create rural jobs, grow market demand for farmers, and boost domestic manufacturing.
The PBPC Member Meeting featured a dynamic speaker lineup, including senior officials from the federal government and other thought leaders. Discussions highlighted the cross-sector benefits of biomanufacturing and explored the policies, technologies, and partnerships needed to scale the plant-based products industry.
The event showcased the breadth of the plant-based products value chain — from feedstock growers and biopolymer producers to global brands and waste recovery innovators — and underscored a shared commitment to advancing sustainable, circular solutions that are good for the economy.
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About The Plant-Based Products Council (PBPC)
PBPC represents businesses large and small that are working to guide the global economy toward more sustainable and responsible consumer products and packaging through greater use of plant-based materials. We also support and advocate for programs that support the circular bioeconomy.