Bangor Daily News recently published an Op Ed written by Biobased Maine’s Executive Director entitled “A new Maine manufacturing strategy could turn plants into products.” According to the article, “Maine is in an excellent position to grab market share, putting our people and natural resources to work.” Biobased manufacturing not only has promise as an economic development…

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Recently the French parliament adopted a law that includes a requirement that lightweight bags for fruits and vegetables be biobased and compostable in home composting set-ups beginning in January 2017. Read more about this and related legislation at Bioplastics Magazine.

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The LEGO Group is investing approximately $148 million for a new LEGO Sustainable Materials Center to be established between 2015 and 2016 with a goal of replacing current materials with sustainable alternatives by 2030. LEGO pieces (they’re called “elements”) are currently made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin. LEGO makes 6,000 tons of ABS plastic each year for its…

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The recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Report, entitled, “An Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Products Industry” reports that the biobased products industry in the U.S. contributed $369 billion to the U.S. economy in 2013. It also found that Maine has the third-highest concentration of jobs in the “biobased products.”

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The recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Report, entitled, “An Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Products Industry” reports that the biobased products industry in the U.S. contributed $369 billion to the U.S. economy in 2013. It also found that Maine has the third-highest concentration of jobs in the “biobased products.”

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Earlier this week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized this year’s winners of the Presidential Green Chemistry Award. Green chemistry (also known as sustainable chemistry) means designing processes and research in a way that minimizes the use and generation of hazardous substances. In other words, is there a way to make this without using so…

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It was recently announced that a public-private partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) has approved 120 million euros in funding to boost the EU’s capacity to stimulate and grow jobs in a circular, low carbon, and sustainable bioeconomy. This means advanced biorefineries were renewable materials are transformed into high-value products, chemicals, materials,…

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Researchers in Orono recently received a $225,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to continue their work on a foam-like insulation material that is made from wood fiber. Current products available in the insulation market are made from petroleum – even “eco-friendly” insulations are made from polystyrene. So creating a biobased insulation – especially from…

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In a recent Letter to the Editor of Portland Press Herald, Biobased Maine’s Executive Director, Charlotte Mace, agrees with the paper’s June 21 article entitled “Biobased products seen as vital for Maine’s growth,” and points out that businesses in Maine eager to learn more about biobased can rely on the growing trade association, Biobased Maine,…

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Rayonier Advanced Materials  recently announced a joint venture with Borregaard ASA to manufacture natural lignin-based products at its Florida facility. Lignin, a natural component of wood, is typically used for its energy properties (i.e., it’s burned as fuel). This joint venture would instead convert lignin into higher-value products that are more environmentally-friendly than products typically made from…

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