Complete Story
11/18/2008
OSC, OBIC and Polymer Ohio Launch Initiative to Accelerate Commercialization of Soy-Based Products
Contact: Jamie Butts
Ohio Soybean Council
(614) 476.3100
jbutts@soyohio.org
Contact: Kenneth Anderson
Ohio Bioproducts Innovation Center
614-292-2922
Kenneth.Anderson@obic.us
NEWS RELEASE
November 18, 2008
OSC, OBIC and Polymer Ohio Launch Initiative to Accelerate Commercialization of Soy-Based Industrial Products
Worthington, Ohio - The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) and the Ohio Bioproducts Innovation Center (OBIC), in conjunction with Polymer Ohio, recently launched an initiative that will accelerate the innovation and commercialization of soy-based industrial products.
Funded in part by OSC and the soybean checkoff, the "Cell to Sell"TM Soy Technology program is a web-based portfolio management and communications system that leverages resources to address unmet market needs. It also provides a credible, timely source of information to assist Ohio agricultural, manufacturing and research collaborators in the commercial development and utilization of soy-based products.
"The ultimate goal is to assemble as many soy technologies as possible into the database, evaluate them and perform a techno-economic analysis on the top technologies in a group session," said Kenneth Anderson, OBIC Soy Initiative Project Leader. "The process is expected to surface high potential soy products with industrial applications."
"Cell to Sell"TM will be a powerful resource for collaborators in the bioproducts industry, and will help to enhance the global competitiveness of Ohio chemical and polymer companies via utilization of bioproducts, with an emphasis on soy-based products. The network generated by this resource includes suppliers, manufacturers, commodity organizations, researchers and other industry leaders.
In this age of dependence on petroleum-based products, entrepreneurs and researchers, fascinated with the potential of soybeans, are forging new and remarkable industrial uses for this remarkable crop every day. In fact, soybeans have already become a biodegradable, raw-material substitute for many revolutionary commercial products.
"The Ohio Soybean Council and soybean checkoff are dedicated to finding new uses for soybeans, in an effort to increase demand for Ohio soybeans," said Dan Corcoran, OSC Chairman and Pike County soybean farmer. "This new technology management system will
now combine all of the great soy-based technologies that are available, market them to industry leaders and accelerate demand for these products."
Industrial products derived from soybeans include industrial lubricants, adhesives, plastics and foams, as well as innovative energy solutions such as soy biodiesel. These products help provide solutions for problems related to environmental sustainability, dependency of foreign oil, and job creation in America.
Those who have developed technologies related to soy-based materials are encouraged to complete an online submission at www.obic.us, and describe the technology with sufficient detail and relative metrics about its current status. All submissions will be evaluated relative to its state in the commercialization process, relevance to Ohio collaborators, and market potential.
Ohio Bioproducts Innovation Center
OBIC is dedicated to accelerating commercialization of bio-based products by linking research capabilities and business needs. Our belief is that by connecting our partners in industry with academic networks, we will be able to foster innovation and create new value chains for bioproducts. To learn more, visit us at www.bioproducts.osu.edu.
Ohio Soybean Council
Headquartered in Worthington, the Ohio Soybean Council is governed by a 17 member volunteer farmer board, which directs the Soybean Promotion and Research Program. The program's primary goal is to improve soybean profitability by targeting research and development projects through the investment of farmer-contributed funds. To learn more, visit www.soyohio.org.
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