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PBPC Newsletter November 8th, 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.

Missed our latest issue? Read the October 11th newsletter here.

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

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HAPPY FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO PBPC!

Plant Based Products Council celebrates its 5-year anniversary in 2024

The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) celebrates its five-year anniversary this month! Formed to guide the evolving global economy toward more sustainable and responsible consumer products and packaging, PBPC’s strategic efforts and grassroots campaigns have helped build awareness, momentum, and congressional support for valuable policy improvements including the Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity (Ag BIO Act) and the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act.

To learn more about PBPC’s work over the last five years, check out our anniversary blog on PBPC.com.

BIOECONOMY CHAMPIONS
RE-ELECTED

Some of PBPC’s strongest supporters on Capitol Hill were elected to new terms in the House and Senate in this week’s elections.

Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO)
Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL)
Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN)
Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA)
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

The lead sponsors of PBPC’s Farm Bill marker bills up for re-election – Reps. Mark Alford (R-MO), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN), Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) – all ran successful races, ensuring strong support of the ag bioeconomy will continue on Capitol Hill.

Read more about PBPC’s Farm Bill priorities on PBPC.com.

PBPC HEADS TO BAKU, COP29

COP29 kicks off Monday, and environmental policy leaders, including PBPC staff and global bioeconomy champions, will be gathering in Baku, Azerbaijan to drive discussions on some of the most pressing issues of our time.

PBPC hosted a Speaker Series event on Oct. 24 to discuss the upcoming COP29 event and gather perspectives from across the biobased products value chain. Moderated by Jamaica Gayle, PBPC’s Senior Director of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, the conversation included remarks from Olutayo Akingbe, a climate adviser for USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, George Soto, Sustainable Development Director for Braskem, and Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser.

Panelists discussed why COP matters to the agricultural industry, the evolving understanding of agriculture at COP, the rising focus on bio-economies at COP, and advice for first time attendees.

“Be involved, attend pavilions, and visit the side events to share your story,” advised Gaesser.

Missed the panel? Check it out here or learn more about what industry experts are expecting from this year’s COP in our latest Speakers Series Recap. 

Gayle and PBPC Executive Director James Glueck will be in attendance and participating in events throughout COP29. Stay tuned to PBPC.com and the PBPC social media feeds for the latest!

USDA ANNOUNCES $200M IN BIOBASED MARKET ACCESS GRANTS

On October 29, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that the USDA is awarding $200 million available through the new Biobased Market Access and Development Grants.

USDA created the Biobased Product Market Development and Access Grant Program to support innovative biobased technologies and bridge the gap between pilot-scale demonstrations and commercial viability. The funding will be available to applicants who have been accepted into the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program.  In the next few weeks, USDA will be reaching out directly with application information to those who would be eligible to apply.

INC-5 STAKEHOLDER GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY

The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee will be meeting in Busan, South Korea. Nov. 25–Dec. 1 to continue work on a global plastics pollution treaty. The goal of the treaty is to decrease plastic pollution around the world. 

In preparation for this meeting, the U.S. Government will host a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. ET to hear input from the private sector. 

If you are interested in attending and sharing your perspective, RSVP here by Monday, Nov. 11. 

UPCOMING: AFCC BIOBASED ECONOMY CONFERENCE

This November 20-22, the Alternative Fuels and Chemicals Association (AFCC) will be hosting its 4th annual Global Biobased Economy Conference & Exhibit at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Join key bioeconomy thought leaders and experts to discuss the top issues facing our industry including biobased manufacturing, sustainable feedstocks, renewable specialty chemicals, and building the biobased economy supply chain.

For more details visit the conference webpage. 

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!

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.

SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS & NEWS

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.

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