Green revolution: The evolving story of biobased products

"As the global climate and environmental crisis accelerates, the urgency for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-based products has never been greater. Today, biobased products -derived from renewable agricultural, marine, and forestry materials-are gaining momentum as critical tools in reducing our reliance on non-renewable resources and mitigating environmental harm. From everyday household goods to advanced industrial materials, biobased alternatives are transforming entire industries and creating pathways toward a lower-carbon, more resilient future."

"Biobased products offer a broad range of applications, including lubricants, detergents, inks, fertilizers, and bioplastics. To qualify as "biobased," the USDA requires that products must contain a minimum of 25% renewable content unless an established minimum is defined for that category. Consumers are taking notice: A striking 64% now prioritize sustainability in purchasing decisions and are willing to pay an average 12% premium for products with proven eco-benefits."

"The use of biobased materials is far from new. Ancient civilizations utilized wool, plants, and plant oils long before petroleum ever entered the picture. In the early 20th century, many industrial chemicals were still derived from biomass. During the 1930s, automotive pioneer Henry Ford famously experimented with soybean-based plastics for car parts. Wartime resource shortages, particularly during and after World War II, prompted renewed interest in renewable alternatives."

Biobased products derive from renewable agricultural, marine, and forestry materials and serve applications from household goods to industrial uses, including lubricants, detergents, inks, fertilizers, and bioplastics. The USDA requires a minimum of 25% renewable content for a biobased designation unless a category-specific minimum exists. Consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability, with 64% willing to pay an average 12% premium for proven eco-benefits. Biobased products prevent the release of 12.7 million metric tons of CO₂ annually, equivalent to removing nearly three million cars from the road. Historical use of biomass predates petroleum, and policy actions such as Executive Order 13134 (1999) catalyzed modern biobased innovation.

Read at Fast Company