Iowa State University will get a $1 million grant to develop new bio-based paint, coating and adhesive products from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The grant is a part of $4 million of aid for research projects, which is important to expand the biofuel and bioenergy industry.
The official announcement on the grant is planned for Dec. 2.
ISU will develop materials from acrylate glycerol, which is a co-product of the biodiesel production process.
This is the new world to live in and the ability to take what is grown to be converted into fuel and energy and as bi-products and co-products of that production process; create additional materials like adhesive materials or coating materials that are used by American businesses to package items; and to basically create new job opportunities, stated USDA authority.
Development of new agricultural materials is part of the USDA strategy to renovate the rural economy through bioenergy initiatives.
In the past it may very well have been a petroleum-based product that would create the paint or the coating or the adhesive materials, so it basically is trying to replace a fossil fuel-based material with a plant-based or bio-based material, stated the officials.
In addition, through the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, USDA is making $5.6 million in grants to 220 producers across the country to support the production of advanced biofuels.
Of that $5.6 million, around $800,000 will be contributed to five Iowa businesses, including Ames-based Renewable Energy, which is receiving $594,293 for biodiesel production.
The ministry is investing in the products of today with the $5.6 million in payments as well as investing in the products of the future in terms of the research. The research products are basically what create the new product that in the future will become commercially viable and then create additional demand for bio-based products, explained the officials.
Sabeena Wahid
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