Sealed Air and Ecovative complete agreement to accelerate commercialization of new sustainable packaging material
As part of the agreement, Sealed Air will be the exclusive licensee of Ecovative’s mycelium based material technology in North America for protective packaging applications. Since January, Sealed Air and Ecovative have been developing together plans for sales and marketing as well as the augmentation of production capabilities. Sealed Air plans to begin offering the new products immediately.
“We have been pleased with our relationship with Sealed Air and have seen how their sales network, strong packaging design capabilities, and world-class supply chain will help us further our vision and broaden our impact, providing an innovative and effective alternative to petrochemical based packaging at a much larger scale,” said Eben Bayer, CEO of Ecovative.
“We are excited to be the exclusive provider of Ecovative’s technology for protective packaging applications. The Ecovative Design team has created a fundamental material technology, using the unique properties of mycelium, to provide solutions to protective packaging. And we have seen their success in manipulating these materials’ properties to produce varying density, strength, texture, and appearance to meet different performance needs of a variety of customer applications,” said Ryan Flanagan, President of Sealed Air’s Protective Packaging business.
“The agreement also furthers our SmartLife™ commitment to sustainability and providing solutions that reduce waste throughout the supply chain. This technology turns an agricultural waste material into a packaging solution that meets our customers’ performance needs and protects against their products being damage during shipping. Furthermore, it broadens our product portfolio for molded shapes and potentially other applications,” Flanagan added.
Sealed Air’s Protective Packaging business delivers an extensive portfolio of protective, industrial and display packaging systems to meet diverse application requirements across a broad range of industries. Sealed Air operates Packaging Design Centers globally and delivers a compelling value proposition that comes from a total solution approach that positively benefits multiple areas of customer operations – ultimately driving efficiencies and business value from the plant floor to their customers’ doorsteps.
Details of the transaction were not disclosed. Sealed Air does not expect the transaction to be material to its consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Source: http://www.ecovativedesign.com
Environmentally Responsible Packaging for Consumer and Industrial Markets: Market Analysis and Forecasts
Packaging is an absolute necessity in the modern world. Our contemporary society places many demands upon packaging relative to issues such as safety, convenience, efficiency, identification, and marketing. However, packaging is also a burden to producers, consumers, and the environment. As more and more people become “modern consumers” around the world, packaging materials and methods, as well as thought processes, will need to change in order to minimize the impact on society and the planet.
Pike Research estimates that the worldwide market for packaging is currently valued at $429 billion. We forecast the market to surpass $500 billion in sales within five years, an annual growth rate exceeding the total global increase in GDP. Paper and paper-based packaging are the largest sectors with more than 40% of the global packaging market.
Today, the demands on packaging are greater than ever. As the world population continues to grow, the packaging industry must react to new issues that often were never even considered in the past. Concerns such as the energy required to produce and transport packaging and the pollution created during package manufacturing and use did not appear on our radar screen until the last quarter-century. Moreover, the problem of what to do with all that packaging once it has performed its function has only recently come into focus.
This Pike Research report assesses the current market conditions for packaging and outlines the future opportunities to create more environmentally responsible, sustainable, and eco-friendly packaging practices. We examine key market drivers and challenges in various industries around the world, highlighting best practices and identifying key trends that will shape the direction of the packaging industry in years to come. The report includes detailed five-year market forecasts for the total packaging market as well as the environmentally responsible packaging sector, segmented by packaging material categories and world regions.
Key questions addressed:
- Why is sustainable packaging necessary?
- What is the size of the global packaging market?
- What is the current growth trajectory of the market?
- What are the business opportunities with ‘green’ packaging?
- What are the key limiting factors to ‘green’ packaging?
Who needs this report?
- Packaging manufacturers and suppliers
- Industrial packaging customers
- Policy makers, regulators, and lobbyists
- Industry associations and trade organizations
- Non-profit organizations and advocacy groups
- Industry consultants, attorneys, and other service providers
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Packaging Manufacturing Sectors
2.1 Paper-Based Packaging
2.2 Plastic-Based Packaging
2.2.1 Paper, Plastic, or Other?
2.3 Glass-Based Packaging
2.4 Metal-Based Packaging
2.5 Other Packaging Materials
3. Market Issues
3.1 Global Opportunities
3.1.1 Consumer/Retail/Point of Sale (POS)
3.1.2 Food
3.1.3 Beverage
3.1.4 Cosmetics
3.1.5 Medical and Pharmaceutical
3.2 Innovation Opportunities Surrounding Packaging
3.2.1 Incremental – Based on Existing Methodologies
3.2.2 New Paradigm Shifts
3.3 Research Opportunities
3.3.1 Industry Funded
3.3.2 Government Funded
3.4 Consumer Attitudes and Behavior
3.4.1 Introduction and Survey Methodology
3.4.2 Consumer Green Behavior Patterns
3.4.3 Sustainable Packaging Demographic Comparisons
3.4.4 Consumer Sentiment on Sustainable Packaging Issues
4. Packaging Market Conditions by Region
4.1 Americas
4.1.1 Food
4.1.2 Beverage
4.1.3 Medical Device and Pharmaceutical
4.1.4 Beauty and Cosmetics
4.1.5 Other
4.2 Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA)
4.2.1 Food
4.2.2 Beverage
4.2.3 Pharmaceutical
4.2.4 Beauty and Cosmetics
4.2.5 Other
4.3 Asia
4.3.1 Food
4.3.1.1 China and India
4.3.1.2 Japan
4.3.2 Beverage
4.3.2.1 Asian Alcoholic Beverages
4.3.2.2 Non-Alcoholic Beverages
4.3.3 Pharmaceutical
4.3.4 Beauty
4.3.5 Other
4.3.5.1 Pallet Practices in China
4.3.6 Summary
5. Packaging Market Drivers by Region
5.1 Americas
5.1.1 Economic (Consumer Sentiment)
5.1.2 Legislative
5.1.3 Raw Materials Resources
5.1.4 Energy Resources
5.1.5 Transportation
5.2 EMEA
5.2.1 Economic (Consumer Sentiment)
5.2.2 Legislative
5.2.3 Raw Materials Resources
5.2.4 Energy Resources
5.2.5 Transportation
5.3 Asia
5.3.1 Economic (Consumer Sentiment)
5.3.1.1 India
5.3.2 Legislative
5.3.2.1 China
5.3.2.2 Indonesia
5.3.2.3 Japan
5.3.2.4 Malaysia
5.3.2.5 The Philippines
5.3.2.6 Singapore
5.3.2.7 South Korea
5.3.2.8 Taiwan
5.3.2.9 Thailand
5.3.3 Raw Materials Resources
5.3.3.1 China
5.3.3.2 India
5.3.4 Energy Resources
5.3.4.1 China
5.3.4.2 India
5.3.5 Transportation
5.3.5.1 China
5.3.5.2 India
6. Global Constraints Surrounding Packaging
6.1 Energy
6.1.1 Transportation
6.1.2 Buildings
6.1.3 Energy in Manufacturing
6.2 Raw Materials
6.3 Geography/Transportation
6.3.1 Problems that Affect Transportation
6.3.2 Transportation Service Problems
6.3.3 Problems Caused by Transporation
6.4 Consumer Resistance/Apathy
7. Market Forecasts
7.1 Americas
7.1.1 Paper
7.1.2 Plastic
7.1.3 Metal
7.1.4 Glass
7.1.5 Summary
7.2 Europe, Middle East, Africa
7.2.1 Paper
7.2.2 Plastic
7.2.3 Metal
7.2.4 Glass
7.2.5 Summary
7.3 Asia
7.3.1 Paper
7.3.2 Plastic
7.3.3 Metal
7.3.4 Glass
7.3.5 Summary
8. Key Concepts
8.1 Energy Intensity
8.2 Environmental Footprint
8.3 Industrial Metabolism
8.4 Bioplastics
8.5 Lightweighting
8.6 Cradle-to-Cradle and Cradle-to-Grave Design
9. Company Directory
10. Acronyms and Definitions
11. Table of Contents
12. Table of Figures
13. Scope of Study, Sources and Methodology, Notes
Table of Charts and Figures
- Global Packaging Market Segmentation by Region
- Global Packaging Market Segmentation by Sector
- Consumer Packaging Sentiment in the Context of Other Green Behavioral Patterns
- Consumer Packaging Sentiment: Analysis of Demographic Variances
- Consumer Sentiment on Sustainable Packaging Issues
- Paper Packaging Forecast, Americas: 2009-2014
- Plastic Packaging Forecast, Americas: 2009-2014
- Metal Packaging Forecast, Americas: 2009-2014
- Glass Packaging Forecast, Americas: 2009-2014
- Environmentally Responsible Packaging Forecast, Americas: 2009-2014
- Environmentally Responsible Packaging Forecasted Gain, Americas: 2009-2014
- Paper Packaging Forecast, EMEA: 2009-2014
- Plastic Packaging Forecast, EMEA: 2009-2014
- Metal Packaging Forecast, EMEA: 2009-2014
- Glass Packaging Forecast, EMEA: 2009-2014
- Environmentally Responsible Packaging Forecast, EMEA: 2009-2014
- Environmentally Responsible Packaging Forecasted Gain, EMEA: 2009-2014
- Paper Packaging Forecast, Asia: 2009-2014
- Plastic Packaging Forecast, Asia: 2009-2014
- Metal Packaging Forecast, Asia: 2009-2014
- Glass Packaging Forecast, Asia: 2009-2014
- Environmentally Responsible Packaging Forecast, Asia: 2009-2014
- Environmentally Responsible Packaging Forecasted Gain, Asia: 2009-2014
- Environmental Footprint
- Global Packaging by Material
- Containers and Packaging in the U.S. Municipal Solid Waste Stream
- New Product Introductions in Asia
- Beverage Sales Forecast in Asia by Country
- New Beverage Products Launched in 2006
- Global Consumer Packaging by End Use
- Global Consumer Packaging by Region
- Environmentally Responsible Packaging Forecast, Americas: 2009-2014
- Environmentally Responsible Packaging Forecast, EMEA: 2009-2014
- Environmentally Responsible Packaging Forecast, Asia: 2009-2014
Table of Tables
- Environmentally Responsible Packaging Markets, Americas: 2009-2014
- ERP Share of Total Packaging Market, Americas: 2009-2014
- Total Packaging Market , Americas: 2009-2014
- Environmentally Responsible Packaging Markets, EMEA: 2009-2014
- ERP Share of Total Packaging Market, EMEA: 2009-2014
- Total Packaging Market, EMEA: 2009-2014
- Environmentally Responsible Packaging Markets, Asia: 2009-2014
- ERP Share of Total Packaging Market, Asia: 2009-2014
- Total Packaging Market, Asia: 2009-2014
- Environmentally Responsible Packaging Markets, World Markets: 2009-2014
- ERP Share of Total Packaging Market, World Markets: 2009-2014
- Total Packaging Market, World Markets: 2009-2014
Note: All forecasts are segmented by packaging material sector (paper, plastic, metal, glass).
Aource: http://www.pikeresearch.com/research/sustainable-packaging
Henkel advances sustainable cultivation of palm oil
“We are committed to sustainable business practices across the entire value chain. This includes the sustainable management of raw materials and the conservation of natural resources,” says Bruno Piacenza, Executive Vice President Laundry & Home Care at Henkel. “To support the concept of sustainable palm oil and palm kernel oil cultivation and to underline Henkel’s leadership in sustainability we decided to purchase palm kernel oil certificates to cover the full range of laundry and home care products as of 2012 – as the first company within this industry on a global scale.”
While palm oil is predominantly used in the food industry, palm kernel oil serves as one of the major renewable feedstocks for the production of surfactants (cleaning active agents) for laundry detergents and household cleaners.
A strong partner for the sustainable cultivation of palm oil
In order to foster a sustainable palm oil economy, Henkel has been participating in the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) ever since its very beginning in 2003 and became an official member in April 2008. Furthermore, Henkel, in close cooperation with the trading platform GreenPalm, initiated the certificate trading system for palm kernel oil and was the first company in the world to purchase palm kernel oil certificates in 2008.
To promote the concept of sustainable palm oil and palm kernel oil production even more effectively, Henkel engages in dialogue with other partners above and beyond the RSPO. In October 2009, Henkel joined the “Palm Oil Coalition”. Its members include representatives of globally operating companies in the consumer goods and food industries as well as of non-governmental organizations such as Greenpeace, Oxfam, The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and others. Their common goal is to enforce the protection of rainforests by shifting their sourcing of palm oil entirely to sustainably managed sources by an agreed date.
Furthermore, Henkel initiated the “Forum on Sustainable Palm Oil” jointly with industry partners, the WWF and the German Association for International Cooperation (GIZ). The goal of this platform is to promote the use of sustainably produced palm oil and palm kernel oil. The standards defined by the RSPO serve as the basis for developing and amending them further by the Forum.
External recognition
Henkel’s leading role and the company’s contribution to the sustainable cultivation of palm oil is recognized by external stakeholders, as well. The WWF has ranked Henkel in the top category of its global Palm Oil Buyers’ Scorecard in November 2011, awarding the company the maximum score of nine out of nine.
Henkel provides extensive information on sustainability and corporate social responsibility, and its contribution to the sustainable cultivation of palm oil, on its website at www.henkel.com/sustainability.
Source: www.henkel.com
Amcor offers renewable packaging materials solution for the coffee market
AFEA, in partnership with Beyers Coffee, have developed an innovative coffee bag for the exclusive BénéCafé coffee brand using NaturePlus Renewable. The bag not only contains 58% renewable carbon based on the ASTM D6866 test method*, it also has excellent barrier properties and seal integrity essential for keeping the freshness and aroma of the coffee.
Importantly, the BénéCafé ground coffee bag offers a number of consumer features including it’s easy to open with good dead-fold to help with storage once opened and it’s a natural look and warm feel from the paper outer layer of the laminate.
“At Beyers Coffee, we appreciate Amcor's expertise in sustainability and innovative product knowledge which has enabled us to develop cutting edge renewable packaging for our BénéCafé brand,” says Nathalie Vanderkindere, Product Manager Sustainability at Beyers Coffee.
NaturePlus Renewable joins the Amcor NaturePlus range. With its renewable capabilities, it perfectly complements this range of renewable, compostable or recyclable products suitable for packaging a wide range of products including fresh produce, frozen foods, snacks, confectionery bakery and a whole lot more.
Initial responses are very positive as the film functions like conventional packaging. “We are thrilled with the results that NaturePlus Renewable is showing so far,” says Peter Ettridge, AFEA Sustainability Manager. “Providing responsible packaging means that we must meet our stakeholders’ expectations to deliver innovations that have the potential to reduce packaging’s environmental impact utilising our expertise as a global packaging leader to make a positive contribution to society.
*ASTM D6866 - 11 Standard Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocarbon Analysis
Source: www.amcor.com
Nestlé sees bioplastics as future of packaging
In the second half of a two-part video , released this week, Dr Roulin explained why conventional plastics made from renewable resources could be the industry’s next major trend.
Speaking from Nestlé’s headquarters in Switzerland, she said that bioplastics made from sugar cane and other plant based materials are demonstrating the kind of properties that could be used more widely across the Company’s product portfolio. Dr Roulin went on to point out that a third generation of plastics - made from non-food sources such as algae, cellulose, and waste products - is also in the pipeline.
However she added such materials are unlikely to be available on the scale required until at least 2015.
Sustainable packaging
Dr Roulin’s insights follow on from her comments in the first half of the interview, where she outlined why Nestlé is a leader in sustainable packaging.Here, she described how the use of a ground-breaking eco-design tool has enhanced the Company’s ability to assess the full environmental impact of a particular packaging design.
She also explained why changing consumers are influencing the way Nestlé designs its products; from easier-to-open bottles for a rapidly ageing population, to different pack sizes for shoppers in emerging markets.
Source: http://www.nestle.com
Source: FoodProductionDaily.com
Sustainable Packaging Solutions Grab Top DuPont Packaging Awards
Gillette, Coca Cola, Intel, GlaxoSmithKlein and Heinz are among the top brands to secure DuPont Packaging Awards announced yesterday. The 23rd annual awards program honors packaging innovation and shows how collaboration throughout the global value chain can bring cost-effective innovation to the market to help improve sustainability, the consumer experience and reduce waste.
“This year’s winners show the important role packaging plays in enabling more sustainable consumer goods,” said Bill Harvey, president -- DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers. “They also show how innovative use of materials can lead to cost-effective, sustainable packaging solutions.”
These trends bear out in the results of a recent DuPont global survey of packaging professionals which found sustainability is the top challenge facing the industry, closely followed by cost concerns.
John Bernardo, principal, Sustainable Innovations LLC, head of the jury panel, said: “Nearly all of the winning innovations related to reducing waste in the system. The jury could see a much deeper consideration of sustainability concerns, starting with responsible sourcing, thoughtful package design, all the way to end-of-life factors.”
In addition to honoring innovation, the DuPont Packaging Awards program stresses the importance of shared learnings and insights as a means of fostering collaboration throughout the value chain.
This year, the global webcast announcing the winners also includes perspectives from the independent jury panel and insights into bringing innovation to market from many of the winners. Featured speakers were:
- Bob Lilienfeld, whose “Use Less Stuff” segments are featured on FOX News. He spoke on the sustainable packaging paradox – closing the gap between quantum science and consumer psychology.
- Peter Clarke, founder and CEO of Product Ventures, spoke on the future of package design and challenges to incorporate innovation, sustainability and cost/waste reduction.
View more information on the winners and their packaging innovations.
Source: www2.dupont.com
PepsiCo Rolls Out Eco-Friendly Recyclable and Compostable Cups
PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) announced today that it has begun offering five options of eco-friendly, recyclable and compostable cups to Foodservice customers in the United States through company-owned and independent bottler distribution systems.
The new offerings consist of fully recyclable clear plastic cups, including an rPET cup containing 20 percent post-consumer recycled content, as well as compostable paper cups and wax cups made with plant-based materials sourced from sustainably managed forests. The fountain cup portfolio mix empowers Foodservice customers – such as restaurants, stadiums and theme parks, and colleges and universities – to select the right green cup options based on locally available recycling and composting disposal facilities.
The Pepsi-branded cups display engaging green imagery and clearly communicate the environmental benefit, stating "Wow, Our Cups are Fully Recyclable," or a similar message respective to the materials used. The cups also encourage consumers to visitEarth911.com for information on how to properly dispose of materials in their local communities.
"The new cups are an advancement in technology, but also in the way we communicate," said Margery Schelling, CMO PepsiCo Foodservice. "Customers increasingly are asking for environmental products that match changing needs, expectations and lifestyles. We want consumers to enjoy their favorite fountain beverages and feel good about the environmental impact of their purchases."
"Earth911 is pleased to see PepsiCo take a leadership role in providing consumers with accessible and actionable recycling information," said Earth911 President Corey Lambrecht. "It's no longer enough to tell people to simply recycle - you have to show them how and where."
PepsiCo introduced the green cups in response to growing demand for eco-friendly beverage packaging, particularly among college and university students. Research shows that 94 percent of consumers are concerned about the environmental effects of beverage packaging(1), and 60 percent of Millennials and Gen-Xers would be willing to pay slightly more for recycled beverage packaging that's better for the environment(2).
The roll out of eco-friendly cups is aligned with PepsiCo's global environmental goals and commitments, among them to reduce packaging waste, use rPET and renewable sources in packaging, and increase the national beverage container recycling rate. Specific examples of PepsiCo innovations with respect to beverage packaging include:
- The development of the world's first fully recyclable "green" bottle made from bio-based raw materials.
- The Naked Juice reNEWabottle™ made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.
- The Aquafina Eco-Fina bottle, the lightest bottle of its size among U.S. bottled water brands.
- The Dream Machine recycling initiative, which provides greater access across America to on-the-go recycling receptacles.
PepsiCo will continue to explore the use of innovative, sustainable packaging solutions that meet quality standards and address consumer needs. Pepsi beverage bottles and cans are already 100 percent recyclable and among the most recycled consumer packaging in the United States.
(1) Beveragepulse.com study, August 2010.
(2) Mintel Beverage Packaging Trends, February 2010.
For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.
Download high-resolution images and read a blog post with video showcasing the new, eco-friendly Pepsi cup portfolio, available athttp://livingthepromise.pepsicoblogs.com/.
USDA Awards Certified Biobased Product Label to Goods From National Industries for the Blind Associated Nonprofit Agencies
Products from two of the 90 nonprofit agencies associated with National Industries for the Blind (NIB) were among those approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use USDA’s new product label on certified biobased products. The announcement was made by Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan at a biobased product meeting March 31 in Glenwillow, Ohio.
NIB and its associated agencies provide employment for people who are blind by producing products and providing services to federal government customers through the AbilityOne Program.
One of the USDA-certified products is hand sanitizer sold under the SKILCRAFT® brand through Travis Association for the Blind in Austin, Texas. The PURELL Green Certified Instant Hand Sanitizer Foam is produced by GOJO Industries Inc. and made with 100% naturally renewable plant-derived ethanol in a readily biodegradable formula.
Another USDA-certified biobased product is SKILCRAFT® Liquid Hand Soap, which has 98 percent biobased content, and is manufactured by The Lighthouse for the Blind in St. Louis, Missouri.
“We are proud to achieve certification from USDA for our quality biobased products,” said NIB President and CEO Kevin A. Lynch. “This supports the federal government’s greening initiative, while providing meaningful employment for people who are blind.”
“These companies are proving that innovation and agriculture can grow together to build a foundation for future growth in rural America as we work to win the future,” said Deputy Secretary Merrigan. “Consumer cleaning products, containers, and the ‘intermediate materials’ used to manufacture them – made from agriculturally-sourced ingredients – help add value to commodities, create jobs in rural communities, and can reduce our dependence on imported oil.”
Biobased products are those composed wholly or significantly of agricultural ingredients – renewable plant animal, marine or forestry materials. This new label indicates that the product has been independently certified to meet USDA BioPreferred program standards for biobased content. Biobased products reduce the use of petroleum in manufactured products and reduce the introduction of fossil carbon into the atmosphere.
The Secretary of Agriculture has designated 5,100 biobased products for preferred purchasing by federal agencies. USDA estimates there are 20,000 biobased products currently being manufactured in the United States.
About National Industries for the Blind
At National Industries for the Blind (NIB), it is our mission to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and 90 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. www.nib.org
About USDA’s BioPreferred Program
USDA’s BioPreferred program was created by the 2002 Farm Bill to increase the purchase and use of biobased products within the Federal government. Congress reauthorized and strengthened the program in the 2008 Farm Bill to further promote the sale of biobased products. With the launch of this new biobased product label, USDA’s BioPreferred program is now comprised of two parts: a biobased product procurement preference program for Federal agencies, and a voluntary labeling initiative for the broad-scale marketing of biobased products. www.biopreferred.gov
About Travis Association for the Blind
Travis Association for the Blind, otherwise known as the Austin Lighthouse, is a service-oriented nonprofit organization, established in 1934 with the mission to assist people who are blind or vision impaired to attain skills needed to gain employment. In 1987, the Lighthouse began a Skin Care product line for Texas state agencies, purchasing raw materials from GOJO Industries. In 2005, the Lighthouse co-branded with SKILCRAFT to provide products such as PURELL hand sanitizer, hand soap, and hair and body shampoo to the federal government through the AbilityOne Program, creating new jobs for blind and visually impaired employees. In addition to its 62,500-square-foot manufacturing facility, the Lighthouse operates distribution warehouses where employees who are blind learn new skills including computer operations, order processing and customer service. www.austinlighthouse.org
About The Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis
The Lighthouse for the Blind is a privately chartered, 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation established in 1933. Through the manufacture and sale of products to various government agencies as well as commercial customers, Lighthouse furthers its mission of assisting individuals who are legally blind to maintain dignity and independence by making available employment, education and support services. Lighthouse is committed to providing a supportive environment where employees can count on developing new and productive skills that will assist them in reaching amazing levels of independence. www.lhbindustries.com
Source: www.nib.org
USDA Launches New Biobased Product Label to Boost Demand for Products Made from Renewable Commodities and Support Green Jobs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's BioPreferred program announced today that a final rule to initiate a voluntary product certification and labeling program for qualifying biobased products will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow. This new label will clearly identify biobased products made from renewable resources, and will promote the increased sale and use of these products in the commercial market and for consumers.
"Today's consumers are increasingly interested in making educated purchasing choices for their families," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "This label will make those decisions easier by identifying products as biobased. These products have enormous potential to create green jobs in rural communities, add value to agricultural commodities, decrease environmental impacts, and reduce our dependence on imported oil."
Biobased products are those composed wholly or significantly of biological ingredients – renewable plant, animal, marine or forestry materials. The new label indicates that the product has been certified to meet USDA standards for a prescribed amount of biobased content. The final rule applies to product manufacturers and distributors who wish to label products with USDA's distinctive product mark.
With the launch of the USDA biobased product label, the BioPreferred program is now comprised of two parts: a biobased product procurement preference program for Federal agencies, and a voluntary labeling initiative for the broad-scale marketing of biobased products. BioPreferred is a low cost, high return market development program demonstrating environmental leadership and creating green jobs and new markets for farmers, manufacturers, and vendors. In addition, biobased products help not only to increase U.S. energy independence by reducing the use of petroleum in manufactured products but also to reduce the introduction of fossil carbon into the atmosphere, thus mitigating potential climate change impacts.
Through implementation of the BioPreferred program, USDA has already designated approximately 5,100 biobased products for preferred purchasing by Federal agencies. The new label will make identification of these products easier for Federal buyers, and will increase awareness of these high-value products in other markets. USDA estimates that there are 20,000 biobased products currently being manufactured in the United States and that the growing industry as a whole is responsible for over 100,000 jobs.
To see an example of USDA's new BioPreferred product label, visit www.biopreferred.com.
USDA's BioPreferred program was created by the 2002 Farm Bill to increase the purchase and use of biobased products within the Federal government and the commercial market. Congress reauthorized and strengthened the program in the 2008 Farm Bill to further promote the sale of biobased products. To learn more, please visit www.biopreferred.gov.
Source: www.usda.gov
