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PBPC Newsletter September 27th, 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.
SAVE THE DATE! COP29 PBPC SPEAKER SERIES
Mark your calendars for our next Speaker Series event on October 24! Join us virtually as we get ready for COP29 – the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference – to talk about the role plant-based products and a circular economy can play in addressing climate challenges. Details on speakers and exact time are forthcoming.
BIO INNOVATIONS MIDWEST RECAP
PBPC Executive Director James Glueck joined PBPC members and other industry leaders at the Bio Innovations Midwest conference in Omaha, NE this week. James hosted a panel discussion that included PBPC members ADM, CJ Bio, and Primient. The session addressed the various challenges in adopting and scaling biobased materials and how the development of these materials is meeting performance and sustainability expectations of consumers while growing economic opportunities across the value chain.
NYC CLIMATE WEEK
This week, PBPC’s Jamaica Gayle attended Climate Week NYC, hosted by the Climate Group in partnership with the United Nations. Jamaica had the opportunity to observe essential industry-wide conversations focused on driving meaningful change worldwide. We are proud to represent the plant-based products industry and advocate for the importance of a circular economy.
USDA BIOPLASTIC SUMMIT
PBPC is honored to take part in the USDA National Policy Summit on the Future of Bioplastics this week, where several members had the opportunity to engage with federal agency officials, industry professionals, and other stakeholders in sessions focusing on scaling ag biomanufacturing, whole-of-government activities, and key next steps to propel future growth in the bioplastics sector.
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:
- The Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act
- The Agricultural Biorefinery Improvement and Opportunity Act (Ag BIO Act)
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!
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.
- Packaging World: Nestlé, Suzuki Motor Corporation, and Kaufland Introduce Bio-Based Packaging 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.
- Trellis: Why standardized packaging is key to reducing plastic waste
- Chemical & Engineering News: Lego opts for mass balance plastic
- Associated Press: UN nations endorse a ‘Pact for the Future,’ and the body’s leader says it must be more than talk
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.
- Brownfield: Congress avoids shutdown, full farm bill extension not included
- Marketplace: Will Congress negotiate a new farm bill this fall? Farmers hope so
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.
- Yahoo Finance: Braskem Announces the Official Opening of its Renewable Innovation Center in Lexington, Massachusetts
- NPR: Climate claims about soil carbon on farms concern many scientists