DuPont commended a recent U.S. presidential directive and new U.S. Senate-proposed legislation that supports the growth of bio-based products made from agricultural ingredients as good for the American economy and the environment.
In February, U.S. President Barack Obama issued a memorandum calling for the expansion of the USDA BioPreferred Labeling Program and greater adoption of the program by federal agencies. The BioPreferred label certifies products are made with agricultural ingredients. The President has directed federal agencies to report on their purchases of BioPreferred certified products and asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to double the number of categories and products that are designated BioPreferred over the next 12 months.
Also, the Grow It Here, Make It Here Bio-based Manufacturing Act would provide additional support for the BioPreferred program and the U.S. bio-based manufacturing industry. That legislation was introduced by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), with co-sponsoring senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.)
"The President's action and the Grow It Here, Make It Here bill demonstrate that the administration and policymakers understand the value of U.S. leadership on innovative bio-based products in the United States," said James C. Collins, president, DuPont Industrial Biosciences. "This action is a shot in the arm to America's bio-economy – helping support our overarching goals of boosting the U.S. agricultural sector and reducing our reliance on imported petroleum while offering a wealth of environmental and health benefits. This is U.S. innovation that can help create U.S. jobs for a growing global market for sustainable products."
Research conducted last year by Genencor, now part of DuPont Industrial Biosciences, found that eight in 10 American consumers would definitely or likely purchase biobased household products if comparable on cost and effectiveness. In a survey of 800 of its business customers in 2011, DuPont found that nearly 90 percent said delivering products with environmental benefits is a long-term market opportunity.
