8/11
PBPC Speaker Series: National Security and the Bioeconomy
The Plant Based Products Council hosted a Speaker Series event on July 23 to unpack the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB)’s April report. Moderated by PBPC Executive Director James Glueck, the conversation included remarks from NSCEB Commissioner Dawn Meyerriecks and Eric Lee, director of business development for Primient.
Executive Director, Plant Based Products Council
Commissioner, National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology
Director of Business Development – Fermentation, Primient
The Bioeconomy’s Impact on National Security
Meyerriecks contributed her longstanding expertise in national security and its role in biotechnology to the discussion. She indicated that the commission met with more than 2,000 stakeholders before issuing a report with 49 major recommendations; more than half of NSCEB’s suggestions are now in active legislative channels.
One of the core concerns highlighted by the NSCEB is American reliance on foreign countries for many essential aspects of critical supply chains, something Meyerriecks said was a particular emphasis for her work on the commission.
“We are passionate about creating this ability for us to basically supply ourselves as well as our allies when push comes to shove,” Meyerriecks said.
“Bio is projected to be one-third of the source of traditional manufacturing output in the U.S. in the next decade, so it just becomes a bigger and bigger impetus for us to be all over this and to lead it for a variety of reasons,” she added.
Primient’s Role in the Bioeconomy
Lee brought insight from the private sector to the conversation, highlighting the role Primient has played in advancing fermentation-based manufacturing in the U.S. and the company’s efforts in domestic manufacturing capacity expansion. Lee highlighted Primient’s work on a project in Decatur, Illinois, as part of the iFAB Tech Hub to provide scale-up and demonstration facilities for bioprocessing. Lee noted that the iFAB hub is a group of more than 30 partner organizations with a range of priorities from industrial, higher education, economic development, and workforce development.
“The whole goal of the iFAB tech hub is really to successfully attract and develop these new commercial projects to Central Illinois, where we’ll be able to create high-quality jobs, find new uses and support for our crops that support our farmers and the local economy, and really begin to produce these critical materials domestically, within the U.S.,” Lee said.
Impact on Farms and Rural Communities
The discussion highlighted the impact that biotechnology and biomanufacturing investments have on farmers and rural areas. Lee shared an example from Primient’s Lafayette, Indiana, facility, noting that a new $400 million project with Sustainea will bring high-quality tech jobs and increase the facility’s need for corn, increasing purchases from local farmers.
Meyerriecks also emphasized the importance of providing new tools for farmers through biotechnology. She explained that the NSCEB has explored ways to enact local and community-based growth, comparing its approach to a ‘national highways system’ for the bioeconomy. She also added that advances such as artificial intelligence (AI) and smart agricultural tools can increase productivity, benefiting the local agricultural community.
Action Going Forward
Meyerriecks concluded the conversation with a call to action. “All of you have representatives, senators. Let them know that you want to see this acted on,” she urged. “Be active citizens.”
“All of you have representatives, senators. Let them know that you want to see this acted on. Be active citizens.”
Lee added his support, emphasizing that biotechnology is not a luxury, but rather a necessity.
“I look at the implementation of biotechnology and the impact that this has as significant as the implementation and growth of AI,” he said.
Interested in learning more? Watch the full discussion below.
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.