The USB funding will allow Battelle and Biobent Polymers to continue pioneering work refining soy-based polymers in an effort to solidify Biobent's position as a leading innovator of bioplastics with the development and commercialization of the next generation of bioplastics. The joint announcement was made by Rick Heggs, Senior Market Manager for Battelle's Energy, Environment and Material Sciences Global Business and Keith J. Masavage, Chief of Strategy and Operations at Biobent Polymers.
"With USB support, we are continuing our alliance with Biobent Polymers taking the next step down the commercialization road for a critically important sustainable green technology," said Heggs. This development effort will further the science and technology behind the award winning bio-composite resins derived from abundantly available soy-based agricultural co-products. While well into Biobent Polymers' commercialization phase, the company will leverage this funding to accelerate solutions to several key technical challenges, provide production capacity refinements and significantly expand the markets for this new class of bioplastics.
"We have had great success working with Battelle's break-through soy based resins - effectively removing as much as 40 percent of the petroleum used in the plastics production process," said Masavage. "These next steps will even further refine the quality and performance of our bioplastics and allow us to deliver a variety of grades of plastic resins for use in a myriad of applications. As a result, we will bring price and performance of competitive resins to a multi-billion dollar market eagerly awaiting the arrival of truly "green" bioplastics to help reduce
"The soybean checkoff program has backed this effort from the beginning through the Ohio Soybean Council, funding Battelle's original research, and now through this United Soybean Board (USB) support," said USB New Uses Chair Russ Carpenter, a soybean farmer from Trumansburg, N.Y. "The USB support comes as a result of the project's potential, its ongoing successes, and the dividends we expect for both U.S. soybean farmers and the environment."
ABOUT BATTELLE
As one of the leading independent research and development organization, Battelle provides innovative solutions to the world's most pressing needs through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management; National Security; Health and Life Sciences; and Energy, Environment and Material Sciences. It advances scientific discovery and application by conducting $6.5 billion in global R&D annually through contract research, laboratory management and technology commercialization. Headquartered in
About BIOBENT POLYMERS™
Biobent Polymers™, a division of global plastics manufacturer Univenture Inc., was created in 2011 with a monumental goal; to re-shape the entire polymers landscape by commercializing price and performance competitive bio-composite plastics for a greener 21st century. Starting with soy-based bioplastics exclusively licensed from the Battelle Memorial Institute, the Marysville Ohio operation is the first in the nation to offer renewable polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) bioplastics with the core characteristics of conventional plastics while using up to 40 % less petroleum. Drawing on over sixty years of award winning senior level engineering and production expertise combined with strong relationships in the plastics and agribusiness markets, Biobent Polymers continues to refine its product offerings and will be launching new based bio-plastics resins throughout 2012.
About UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD
USB is made up of 69 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all