Biobased & Nature-based Transitions

BIOBASED & NATURE-BASED TRANSITIONS

Advancing Markets for American Farmers

Agriculture and forestry have a vital role to play in strengthening the U.S. economy, enhancing sustainability, and accelerating the development of next-generation products and technologies. Unlocking new value from agricultural commodities, residues, and forestry resources can create economic opportunities across rural communities while supporting broader environmental and industrial goals. We collaborate with governments, farmers, and industry partners to develop value-added feedstocks for chemicals, fuels, plastics, energy, and consumer products. Our research and partnerships help American farmers, manufacturers, and brands capitalize on emerging market opportunities while advancing their economic, environmental, and sustainability objectives.

In addition, we work with leaders in the insurance, finance, and technology sectors to develop innovative tools and pathways for monitoring, verification, risk management, and investment. These efforts support the transition to more sustainable and resilient supply chains while enabling the financing and commercialization of new agricultural and bio-based markets.

Press Releases

NEW REPORT BY DYNAMIC SUSTAINABILITY LAB IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION PRESENTS PATHWAY TO ADVANCE BIOBASED PLASTICS

Dynamic Sustainability Lab Research Fellow Kelsey McGraw recently presented key findings to members of the Plastics Industry Association on feedstock selection and environmental performance in a new report titled: “Bioplastic Feedstock Stability and Advantage: Carbon Abatement & Opportunities for Emissions Reductions in the U.S. Market.”

2026

BIOPLASTIC FEEDSTOCK STABILITY AND ADVANTAGE: CARBON ABATEMENT & OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS IN THE U.S. MARKET

This report details the stability and sustainability advantages of bioplastic feedstocks, quantifying their potential to reduce carbon emissions, and highlighting opportunities for additional greenhouse gas abatement across the U.S. market.

2024

EXISTING & EMERGING DATA NEEDS FOR CLIMATE SMART COMMODITIES

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This serves as a guidebook for producers and the broader marketplace regarding the opportunities, barriers, and strategies for adopting climate-smart commodities through the application of data and technology resources.

AN ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS OF

THE U.S. BIOBASED PRODUCTS

INDUSTRY

The report is part of a series of reports tracking the impact of the biobased product industry on the U.S. economy including the October 2014 USDA report, Why Biobased? Opportunities in the Emerging Bioeconomy.

FINANCING A SUSTAINABLE GLOBAL BIOECONOMY

The global bioeconomy is a cornerstone in the transition to a more equitable, low-carbon and climate-resilient, nature-positive economy. The changing world is resetting our appreciation of how an equitable and sustainable bioeconomy can play a pivotal role in sustainable develop

NY CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF THE ADVANCING MARKETS FOR

PRODUCERS INITIATIVE

To develop market opportunities for CSC, we need to know what the market values. Understanding consumer perceptions and expectations informs strategies to identify, develop, and connect markets.

INDICATORS AND TRENDS OF THE U.S. BIOBASED ECONOMY:

2019 THROUGH 2021

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This report provides an update on bioindicators of the U.S. economy for calendar years 2019 through 2021 with policy updates that include 2022.

2022

AN EXTERNAL EVALUATION OF: THE BIOREFINERY, RENEWABLE CHEMICAL, AND BIOBASED PRODUCT MANUFACTURING ASSISTANCE (9003) PROGRAM

The 9003 has its origins back to 2002 when the Congress of the United States envisioned a pathway to further support American farmers and American manufacturers opportunities through the development of Biobased fuels.

2021

BUSINESS CASE OF THE GREEN CHEMISTRY INDUSTRY

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Share of green chemistry-marketed personal care and household products grew 12.6 times faster than conventional counterparts from 2015 to 2019.

GREEN CHEMISTRY: A STRONG DRIVER OF INNOVATION, GROWTH, AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Our analysis suggests that significant growth in the last five years has occurred, but also projects that this growth is likely to increase significantly in the next five.

INDICATORS OF THE U.S. BIOBASED

ECONOMY, 2018

The purpose of the report is to provide policymakers and the general public an annual update on the positive impacts that the biobased economy is having for the American economy and the environment.

THE CONVERGENCE OF POLICIES, CONSUMERS, AND ESG: FIVE EXAMPLES PULLED FROM RECENT REPORTS ON THE U.S. BIOBASED ECONOMY

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In this article we provide a summary of five drivers that are changing the playing field for biobased products, mostly for the positive.

AN ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS OF THE U.S. BIOBASED PRODUCTS INDUSTRY

This report seeks to address seven important questions regarding the contributions of the biobased products industry in the

United States.

2020

AN ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS OF

THE U.S. BIOBASED PRODUCTS

INDUSTRY

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AN ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS OF

THE U.S. BIOBASED PRODUCTS

INDUSTRY

2017 Indicators of the U.S. Biobased Economy.png

To further understand the impact that the biobased economy has in the America economy, this report collects and analyzes measures of bioindicators in four categories: field crops, bioenergy, bioproducts, and policy.

2018

INDICATORS OF THE U.S. BIOBASED

ECONOMY

Through innovations in renewable energies and the emergence of a new generation of biobased products, the sectors that drive the biobased economy are providing job creation and economic growth.

2017

MAKING SURE THE BLUE ECONOMY IS GREEN

Given the growing and seemingly limitless capacity to industrialize the oceans, there is a need to reimagine how to effectively measure, monitor and sustainably manage this seventy-one per cent of the Earth's surface.

2014

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE EMERGING BIOECONOMY

This report explores the opportunities associated with the biobased economy (excluding fuel, food and feed).

This report details the stability and sustainability advantages of bioplastic feedstocks, quantifying their potential to reduce carbon emissions, and highlighting opportunities for additional greenhouse gas abatement across the U.S. market.

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