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PBPC Newsletter October 13, 2026
Welcome to the Plant Based Products Council Newsletter!
In this edition, explore the latest 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 last issue? Read the Sept. 11 newsletter here. Know someone interested in our industry? Encourage them to subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.
Save the Date: 2026 Consumer Trends Research Briefing
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 1:00 p.m. EDT, when PBPC will host its latest Speaker Series event to unveil our 2026 Consumer Trends Research. Each year, PBPC’s signature research tracks consumer awareness, attitudes, and purchasing habits related to plant-based products, offering industry professionals, advocates, and policymakers valuable insight into the biobased product value chain. During the event, Cygnal pollster John Rogers will break down this year’s findings and what they tell us about how consumers view plant-based products today.
Interested in learning more about the research? Register for the upcoming Speaker Series conversation!
PBPC members will receive a members-only briefing ahead of the public launch, with exclusive in-depth findings. Interested in unlocking these insights to support your organization’s mission? Visit our website or reach out to PBPC’s Keniece Barbee to learn about becoming a PBPC member.
PBPC Testifies on the Value of the Ag Bioeconomy
PBPC Board Chair Dr. Alex Buck testified before the House Agriculture Committee in September on the ag bioeconomy’s potential to create new markets for American farmers.
In his remarks and during conversations with lawmakers on the panel, Buck explained how support for the biobased product sector benefits every American: from the farmers who grow feedstocks and the manufacturers who make biobased products to the rural communities that gain good-paying jobs and the consumers who rely on these products.
“Every new biobased product represents a new customer for America’s farmers,” Buck told the committee.
Buck urged Congress to help promising biomanufacturing technologies reach commercial production. His testimony highlighted PBPC priorities, many of which are in the House-passed Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, including improvements to USDA’s BioPreferred Program, better data on the bioeconomy, and support for U.S. production facilities.
Learn more about PBPC’s hearing testimony on PBPC.com.
Farm Bill Advances Through Senate Agriculture Committee
On Sept. 16, the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee cleared the Agricultural Act of 2026 by a 12-11 party-line vote, marking a key step in the process to produce a new, five-year Farm Bill.
The Senate Farm Bill includes several bipartisan priorities championed by PBPC, including components of the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act and Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity (Ag BIO) Act. This includes uniform bioeconomy terminology, improvements to USDA’s BioPreferred Program that would expand federal purchasing of biobased products, and renewed support for projects that help bring biorefineries and renewable chemicals to commercial scale. Together, these provisions could create new markets for farmers and strengthen domestic biomanufacturing.
Now, the Farm Bill heads to the full Senate for consideration. With both chambers recessed until after the midterm elections, PBPC, along with aligned stakeholders, is keeping the pressure on Congress to act before the end of the year.
Tell your Senators to pass a Farm Bill that supports the U.S. bioeconomy and strengthens American agriculture, manufacturing, and innovation.
Get Involved: Protect the BioPreferred Program
September marked the end of the federal fiscal year, and without a new Farm Bill, USDA’s BioPreferred Program faces renewed uncertainty. Thanks to collaboration between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and PBPC, the program will continue to be funded through the end of the calendar year. That gives BioPreferred a path forward for now, but consistent funding is needed to preserve the program and give businesses confidence in its future.
USDA’s BioPreferred Program is a voluntary certification program that promotes federal procurement of biobased products and sends strong market signals to grow America’s bioeconomy. The program offers essential resources to businesses with biobased products to promote the development of innovative products made from the hard work of farmers, creating market opportunities for growers, driving new income in rural communities, and offering transparency to consumers.
Tell Congress to support consistent, long-term funding for BioPreferred to protect and strengthen this vital program that encourages innovation and growth in the biobased product sector. A thriving bioeconomy depends on certainty and reliable commitments from policymakers.
Looking Ahead to COP31
The UN Climate Change Conference, COP31, will kick off on Nov. 9 in Antalya, Türkiye. This year’s agenda puts an emphasis on turning climate commitments into practical action, with discussions spanning agriculture, manufacturing, waste, and trade. Building on the attention the bioeconomy received at COP30, PBPC Executive Director James Glueck and Senior Director of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs Jamaica Gayle will attend to represent the plant-based products industry and share its role in climate solutions.
The COP31 schedule includes thematic days for various priority sectors relevant to the biobased product sector, including: Food, Agriculture and Health on Nov. 9; Zero Waste on Nov. 11, which includes the circular economy; and Science, Industry and Technology on Nov. 16. These conversations offer opportunities to highlight the bioeconomy as one of the most powerful tools for climate action and economic growth.
Keep an eye on our LinkedIn page for updates from James and Jamaica on takeaways from the conference.
PBPC MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
Not a PBPC member yet, but want to learn more?
All PBPC members receive a variety of benefits that provide their organization with 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 our 2025 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 products space. Learn more about what’s ahead for circular innovations.
- Axios Des Moines: Iowa startups explore better ag tech and bioplastics
- Packaging Insights: Avantium Partners With Klöckner Pentaplast to Advance PEF Food Packaging
- Phys.org: Plasma Technology Could Help Plant-Based Packaging Replace Plastic
- Plastics News: Sustainability is child’s play as Modern Mill, GameTime build composite playgrounds
SUSTAINABILITY NEWS & TRENDS
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.
- TechCrunch: Meta Deal Will Help Plastics Recycling Startup MacroCycle Build Its First Factory
- Packaging Dive: 6 CPGs Team Up on Paper Flexibles R&D
- Recycling Today: Westchester County, NY, adds Nespresso capsules to curbside recycling
- Packaging Dive: Nestlé breaks down its path to 2030 for virgin plastic reduction
GOVERNMENT UPDATES
As Congress and the Trump Administration look towards midterm elections next month, the sustainability landscape continues to evolve. Read more about the latest developments.
- Agri-Pulse: House Ag Committee Examines New Markets, Trade and Challenges as Farmers Face Continued Economic Pressure
- Successful Farming: Farm Groups React After Senate Committee Advances 2026 Farm Bill
- Waste Dive: Tracking the future of US recycling policy in Congress
- Packaging Dive: Federal EPR could cut waste management costs in half: WWF
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 few weeks.
- BioMass Magazine: Praj And Gevo Forge Landmark Alliance To Advance Bio-IBA In India
- World-Grain: ADM touts regenerative agriculture progress
- Packaging Insights: Material Week Tokyo 2026 live: Cargill presents FDA-approved polymer additive
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.