BioMADE announced 17 innovative new projects that will drive the scale-up and commercialization of American biomanufactured products. They include producing biodegradable plastics;聽upcycling waste to create new products; certification programs to prepare the workforce of tomorrow鈥檚 U.S. bioeconomy; developing cell-free systems for commodity chemicals; and more.
These projects highlight the breadth and depth of BioMADE鈥檚 membership, representing 30 member organizations鈥攕panning 18 states from New York to Texas鈥攖hroughout the private and nonprofit sectors, academic research institutions, and community colleges. This work will revitalize American manufacturing by advancing and commercializing the bioindustrial production of components incorporated into everyday items; reshoring manufacturing jobs; and bolstering a domestic supply chain of commodity and platform chemicals. This announcement embodies BioMADE鈥檚 mission of supporting projects that will enhance competitiveness of the U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing industry.
鈥淎merica鈥檚 leadership in research must be matched by leadership in process and scale-up capability. That is what today鈥檚 biomanufacturing announcement is all about,鈥� said Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Dr. Arati Prabhakar. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 how the vision of engineering living cells to sustainably produce chemicals, materials, and structures will become a reality. Thanks to the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, we can lead the world in biomanufacturing.鈥�
鈥淭he next five to ten years will determine the global leader of the bioeconomy. At BioMADE, we believe the U.S. is uniquely positioned to seize this opportunity,鈥� said Dr. Douglas Friedman, Chief Executive Officer at BioMADE. 鈥淲e are proud to support these member-driven projects that will translate our country鈥檚 rich history of biotechnology innovation into manufacturing leadership. All Americans will benefit from investments in America鈥檚 bioindustrial manufacturing future.鈥�
Bioindustrial manufacturing uses biological systems鈥攊ncluding microbes such as bacteria, yeast, and algae鈥攖o produce materials and chemicals that are incorporated into products we use every day, like bio-based cement, plant-based nylon, paints and adhesives, and more. The processes are powered by feedstocks from the U.S., such as corn, woody biomass, waste gases, and agricultural waste 鈥� thereby creating new markets for farmers, spurring rural job growth nationwide, ending U.S. reliance on foreign materials imports, and manufacturing sustainable products on American soil.
鈥淭he U.S. has all the foundational pieces to build a flourishing bioeconomy. Working collaboratively across the public and private sectors, we can overcome challenges on the road to commercialization,鈥� said Dr. Melanie Tomczak, Head of Programs and Chief Technology Officer at BioMADE. 鈥淥ur incredible members are developing the technology behind the bio-based products of tomorrow. These projects will help to bridge the gap between bioindustrial manufacturing and U.S. consumers, stocking store shelves with more sustainable products and giving 鈥楳ade in America鈥� a renewed meaning.鈥�