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PBPC Newsletter August 16th, 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.

Know someone interested in our industry? Encourage them to subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.

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REPORT: US SHIFTS POSITION, BACKS PLASTIC REDUCTION TARGETS

U.S. negotiators are expected to bring a different negotiating posture to the next round of talks to produce a global plastic pollution treaty, according to a new report from Reuters.

According to sources the outlet cites in a story, the U.S. now plans to support reduction of annual global plastic production as part of the treaty. The position represents a shift in the American negotiating stance, which also now includes support for a possible global list of chemicals of environmental concern used in plastic production, set criteria for a list of avoidable plastic products and a goal to limit their use. The United Nations has convened four rounds of talks aimed at producing a deal, with a fifth scheduled for November in Busan, South Korea.

PLANT BASED LEADERS BLOG: ROQUETTE

The newest Plant Based Leaders Blog is live with PBPC member Roquette, where we discussed their efforts to promote sustainability. Roquette Head of Core Ingredients for the Americas and Americas Regional Coordinator Ricardo Grizzo answered questions about microplastic regulation, sustainability certifications, the USDA BioPreferred label, and more in this informative interview.

Plant-Based Leader - Roquette

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: PRIMIENT PARTNERS WITH SYNONYM

PBPC member company Primient has joined Synonym for a partnership that will revolutionize the infrastructure for biomanufacturing innovation. Primient, a leader in agribusiness specializing in bioproducts and manufacturing, is joining with Synonym’s innovation infrastructure experience to further America’s competitive advantage in the race to bring new, functional and affordable biomaterials to market. Their inaugural project together – iPROOF – is planned at Primient’s Decatur, Illinois, campus and is part of the iFAB Tech Hub project. The effort includes expending current capacity while re-commissioning and upgrading existing fermentation assets at the site.

PROTECTING U.S. BIOBASED PRODUCTION WITH
THE AG BIO ACT

PBPC Director James Glueck discussed the importance of passing an updated Farm Bill, particularly with the inclusion of the Ag BIO Act. The Ag BIO Act would increase the innovation infrastructure needed to produce plant-based alternatives to consumer goods we use every day, enhancing the agriculture economy and bringing environmentally-friendlier products to market. Listen to James Glueck’s full remarks from the Iowa Agribusinesses Radio Network.

FASHION FOR GOOD: EXPANDING FOOTWEAR INNOVATION

Did you know: More than 23 billion shoes are produced globally each year, with most ending up discarded in landfills?

Fashion for Good, in partnership with Adidas, Inditex, ON Running, PVH Group, Reformation, Target, and Zalando, has announced an initiative to accelerate and validate the latest in footwear innovations. Innovators, universities, and established companies are invited to apply by September 20, 2024. This exciting project aims to address the need for footwear circularity throughout the entire manufacturing process, including alternative sustainable materials used to produce footwear. Fashion for Good is redoubling its efforts to address challenges in footwear sustainability, and PBPC looks forward to following updates about this innovative and collaborative project. Read more about this partnership.

IOWA CORN DAY AT THE IOWA STATE FAIR

The Iowa Corn Growers Association, a longtime PBPC member, is hosting “Iowa Corn Day” at the Iowa State Fair today, August 16th. The event features educational materials, scavenger hunts for fun prizes, and more – all to celebrate the more than 4,000 uses for corn across consumer products.

BIO INNOVATIONS MIDWEST

An upcoming conference hosted by World Bio Markets will highlight the possibilities of the bioeconomy for innovators, investors, and others.

Bio Innovations Midwest, scheduled for Sept. 24-25 in Omaha, is “dedicated to driving the exciting growth of industrial biomanufacturing in the U.S.” The event will bring together approximately 250 industry leaders for meetings, discussions, and networking. According to the conference’s website, the two-day event will “present the Midwest as the heartland of the U.S. bioeconomy and will generate deal flow between bio developers and producers, global brands and buyers, investors and financiers, community enablers and suppliers.”

Details for the event are available from Bio Innovations Midwest.

TELL LAWMAKERS: SUPPORT JOB GROWTH IN THE FARM BILL & SUPPORT AG-BASED BIOMANUFACTURING

Help PBPC send a message to lawmakers that the U.S. has the farmers and innovators and now we need the policies. Support for the ag-based bioproducts industry is crucial to the U.S. economy, environmental sustainability, and American innovation.

Two bipartisan bills that can help grow the U.S. ag bioeconomy have already been introduced in Congress:

Send a letter to your lawmakers today and urge them to include the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act, nationally uniform bioeconomy terminology, and the Ag BIO Act in the Farm Bill!

Send a Letter Now

Follow along for more Farm Bill updates on PBPC’s channels: Twitter (X), LinkedIn, and Facebook.

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. Here are a few of our favorites that provide insights on the industry today and what’s ahead for circular innovations.

As more consumers seek environmentally friendly products, corporations 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 environmental reform being a top priority for the Biden Administration, there are constantly new developments in the regulatory space. Here are a few of the top happenings in the Administration, on Capitol Hill, and in the U.S. legal landscape. 

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.

Interested in learning more about how plant-based products contribute to a more sustainable economy? Sign up for our newsletter.

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