Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Welcome to Our Inaugural Issue!

In 2020, we are launching a series of new communications initiatives designed to enable us to engage more fully with program partners, industry leaders, prospects and consumers. Our revamped newsletter, titled BioPreferred BioBuzz, will now be distributed quarterly and feature a variety of program updates, partner and industry news, and stories about happenings and opportunities across the bio-economy.

We look forward to hearing your feedback.

Around Town. . .

Recently, a BioPreferred team member was shopping at Target and noticed an entire cleaning supply aisle dedicated entirely to “green” products. She was happy to note that all but two manufacturers featured had earned the right to display the USDA Certified Biobased Product label. Where might we spot your biobased products?

Ford Taps McDonald's to Help it Turn Coffee Parts into Car Parts

Starting this year, Ford is incorporating coffee chaff — coffee bean skin that comes off during the roasting process — into the plastic headlamp housing used in some cars. It's asked McDonald's, which doesn't roast its own coffee, to connect it with suppliers.

In recent years, as consumers become more concerned about plastic pollution and carbon emissions, companies have made sweeping commitments to reduce their impacts on the environment. They've also been developing innovative, sustainable materials to build consumer products.

Read more here.

Recent Happenings in Federal Procurement

Conferences and Meetings

In October 2019, USDA, Rural Development Procurement Analyst, Vernell Thompson (at left, pictured above) spoke about the BioPreferred Program and exhibited at the Federal Environment Symposium and the Sustainable Purchasing Forum hosted by the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments/Mid-Atlantic Purchasing Team. In December, members of the BioPreferred Program also met with the Office of Assistant Secretary for Defense (OASD) for the Sustainable Technology Evaluation and Demonstration (STED) program to discuss partnership opportunities.

New Support Contract for Federal Procurement Established

In September 2019, the USDA BioPreferred Program awarded a Program Management and Technical Support Contract for new support services to benefit the Federal Side of the program. The award recipient is a Small Business Administration certified 8a and woman-owned small business based in Washington DC, with expertise in solving unique strategic challenges for its government and commercial clients.

Powerizer Complete Earns Approval to Display USDA Certified Biobased Product Label

Plant and Mineral-Based Cleaner Certified Across Dish, Laundry, Carpet and Multi-purpose Cleaners   Powerizer Complete, the all-purpose plant and mineral-based home cleaner that effectively cleans laundry, dishes, kitchen, bathroom, carpet, and every surface of a whole house, inside and out, has earned approval to display the USDA Certified Biobased Product label across multiple product categories, including Dish, Laundry, Carpet and Multipurpose cleaners. Read the company’s press release.

Eastman Creates Sustainable Option for Auto Plastics

Specialty plastics provider Eastman has announced its collaboration with NB Coatings, a paint-on plastics manufacturer for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), to create a sustainable option for automotive plastics.

The solution is for interior Class A painted surfaces and uses Treva engineering bioplastic. Treva offers an option for companies interested in creating sustainable, cost-effective products. With the recent commercialization of its carbon renewal technology, Eastman produces Treva with bio-based and recycled content. When painted with NB Coatings paint systems, Treva can meet the demanding Class A surface requirements as specified by OEMs. Read more.

“Pollinator Sock” Used in Erosion Control Projects

In 2019, the BEG Group’s Phalanx Bio Switch® product, or “Pollinator Sock,” was successfully installed as part of several erosion control and pollinator projects. Phalanx Bio Switch is a USDA Certified Biobased Product, with 100% biobased content. Made of ring spun cotton yarn filled with native pollinator wildflower seeds and switchgrass material, the sock is engineered specifically to control erosion when placed perpendicular to sheet-flow water runoff. These switchgrass erosion filters can be used at construction sites or other disturbed areas where storm water runoff occurs as sheet flow.   The native pollinator wildflower seed supercharged sock can be used on steeper slopes with faster flows if they are spaced close together, stacked beside or on top of each other, placed in large diameters, or used in combination with other storm water management best practices. While preventing erosion, the wildflower seeds grow and benefit pollinators such as hummingbirds, moths, wasps, beetles, bats and butterflies.

Interested in identifying other erosion control or biobased products?

Be sure to check out our BioPreferred Program Catalog.