Chemistry in a Biobased Economy
Agriculture, Forestry &
Food $103 billion
Chemicals &
Polymers$89 billion
Two industries make up about 40% of the GDP in Ohio
Ohio Is a leader in the nation in many
agricultural areas.
Of the 50 states, Ohio is….• 1st in the production of Swiss
cheese.• 2nd in eggs. • 6th in soybeans, and 6th in corn for
grain. • 3rd largest producer of tomatoes in
U.S. and has the world's largest ketchup processing plant in Fremont, Ohio.
• Ohio is a lead producer of horticulture products, from greenhouse and nursery plants to bulbs.
Soybeans play a huge role in Ohio business.• Soybeans are a 2.6 billion dollar
business in Ohio each year; 98% of soybean meal becomes animal feed.
• Soybeans are Ohio’s #1 export. Every other row of soybeans is exported. More than half to China.
• Ohio is #16 in the nation for beef production, and #5 in flower production.
Every major city in Ohio has a major chemical or polymer producer.
How important are polymers to Ohio?
It is the #1 producer of polymers in the United States!
How important are polymers to Ohio?
It’s also the #1 producer of many
things made from polymers
Plastic is Ohio’s # 4 export.
Current Source of Chemicals & Polymers?
Oil
While we may know that the supply of oil will affect our cars and the cost to fill our gas tanks, it also affects all the productsmade from petroleum.
The Agriculture and Chemicals and Polymer Industries are working together to provide a solution:
Bioproducts!
Why BioProducts ?The future price of oil is uncertain because of:
• Increasing Global Demand
• Uncertain Supply
• Volatile Price
Bioproducts are greener too!
They are:
• Renewable
• Carbon neutral
• Produced locally
• Biodegradable
• Lend themselves to a greener chemistry
• Have reduced toxicity
• And require less energy over their entire life
cycle.
• Utilizing natural diversity of plant kingdom
• Designing plant traits
• Targeting specific chemical functionality
Biotechnology candesign the plant forthe product characteristics:
An example: Fiber-Reinforced Plastic
Plastic is commonly reinforced with agricultural waste cellulosic materials to enhance performance($25 billion market)
Proctor & Gamble’s sustainability goals are based on a deep understanding of the consumer.
http://www.pg.com/en_US/sustainability/environmental_sustainability/index.shtml
Ohio companies are investing heavily in sustainability efforts:
“Emery Oleochemicals has announced a $50-million investment at its Cincinnati, OH, manufacturing site.” October 12, 2012
http://http://www.chemweek.com/home/top_of_the_news/46918.html
It has the same carbon backbone!
How can soybeans replace petroleum in chemical production?