The Economics of Switching to Bio-Based Materials: Is Sustainability Still a Business Advantage?
For companies considering a switch from petroleum-derived materials to bio-based alternatives, the conversation often starts with sustainability. But the more important question is economic. Does switching to a bio-based material make good business sense? That question is particularly relevant as U.S. policy priorities evolve. While the current administration has placed less emphasis on some climate-focused […]
Why Strong Innovations Stall—and How to Prevent It
After more than four decades of industrial product development and commercialization, one pattern shows up repeatedly: strong ideas don’t fail because they don’t work–they fail because they don’t move. Technical success alone is not enough. In most organizations, innovation only gains traction when three conditions are met: something is forcing it forward, someone is accountable […]
The Role of Agriculture in the Industrial Bioeconomy
Agriculture is the backbone of the industrial bioeconomy, supplying renewable carbon that can be transformed into fuels, chemicals, and materials. What differentiates today’s bioeconomy is not just feedstock availability, but the increasing sophistication in how these materials are chemically converted into high-performance, sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products. According to the United States Department of Agriculture […]
Mass Balance vs. Physical Bio-Based: Decoding the U.S. Chemical Sector’s Net-Zero Transition
Are you confused—like many across the industry and supply chain—about how U.S. chemical companies use the mass balance approach versus physical bio-based methodology in their net‑zero and sustainability claims? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common sources of misunderstanding (and sometimes skepticism) in the sector. The debate centers on two approaches: the […]
PFAS Restrictions and Replacements: Opportunity for Bioproduct Innovation
Poly and Per Fluoro Alkyl Substances (PFAS or “forever” chemicals) are a large chemical class characterized by having compounds with the Carbon-Fluorine bond. It is estimated that this class contains more than 12,000 compounds listed in the Toxic Substances Control Act database of the EPA. This class contains compounds that are gases, liquids and solids […]
Legislative Impacts on Sustainable Chemistry
Recent Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) policies under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), particularly those governing new chemicals, derail sustainable chemical innovation by creating disproportionate regulatory burdens, delays, and creating market uncertainty. The primary hurdle is the TSCA Section 5 requirement for a Premanufacture Notice (PMN). Any chemical not on the TSCA Inventory (which are […]
Biomass Balance: A Practical Pathway to Sustainable Chemistry
In the evolving landscape of sustainable materials, the chemical industry is embracing innovative approaches to reduce its environmental footprint, particularly Scope 3 carbon emission or emissions due to the use of carbon containing feedstocks. One such method gaining traction is Biomass Balance, a strategy that enables the integration of renewable feedstocks into existing production systems—without the […]
Understanding Scope 3 Emissions in Life Cycle Analysis
In the chemical industry, understanding and managing environmental impact extends far beyond the immediate manufacturing facility. This is where Scope 3 emissions, a critical component of a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), come into play. Unlike Scope 1 (direct emissions from owned or controlled sources) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating, and […]
Green Chemistry for Sustainable Materials: The Role of Triglycerides – Part 2
In an earlier blog, we explored the chemical class of triglycerides — fats and oils that belong to the broader lipid family. Chemically, triglycerides are composed of a glycerol backbone esterified with three fatty acids. These molecules are valuable in the industrial chemical market, serving as essential building blocks in biobased chemistry and contributing to […]
Opportunities for Agricultural Biostimulants
The development of biostimulants for agricultural use presents a significant opportunity for the chemical industry, particularly as demand for sustainable and regenerative farming practices continues to grow. Fertilizers and herbicides are no longer the sole focus of agricultural chemicals. Biostimulants—a burgeoning category—offer innovative solutions to enhance plant growth, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance. Unlike fertilizers, […]