USDA will be spending just shy of $10 million to help scale-up sustainable bioproduct manufacturing in the United States.
The Department says the bioproduct pilot program aims to spur economic activity in rural areas while lowering risks associated with bringing bio-based products to market. Right now, three projects are funded through the program.
Those include the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, for a project that aims to convert food waste into PHA-based bioplastics, like food containers. Another project is by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champain aims to convert swine manure and other organic matter into bio-binders for asphalt. Lastly, Soylei Innovations in Iowa hopes to transform high oleic soybean oil into thermo-plastic rubber for pavement.
Money for these projects come from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed in 2021.
