December 16, 2024 Supporting U.S. Bioindustrial Manufacturing Innovation and Workforce Development

Volume 27 | Issue 4

U.S. bioeconomy projects will advance the domestic production of sustainable materials for consumer products and defense applications.

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by Doug Friedman

The next five to ten years will determine a leader in the global bioeconomy. While the U.S. is uniquely positioned to seize this opportunity, strategic funding is needed to develop bioindustrial manufacturing infrastructure and prepare an American workforce to fill this demand for technical jobs.

In late October, BioMADE announced $26.9 million of funding for 17 innovative new projects that will drive the scale-up and commercialization of American biomanufactured products. BioMADE is a Department of Defense sponsored public-private partnership created to develop domestic bioindustrial manufacturing capabilities, or the use of biological systems to produce materials incorporated into products we use every day, like bio-based cement, plantbased nylon, paints and adhesives, and more.

These projects highlight the breadth and depth of the rapidly growing U.S. bioeconomy, providing funding to 30 organizations that represent the private and nonprofit sectors, academic research institutions, and community colleges across 18 states. Projects will look into producing biodegradable plastics, upcycling waste to create new products, developing cellfree systems for commodity chemicals, and launching certification programs to prepare the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow.

This work will continue to revitalize American manufacturing by advancing and commercializing the bioindustrial production of components incorporated into everyday items. The 17 projects will also help to reshore manufacturing jobs and bolster a domestic supply chain of commodity and platform chemicals, translating the rich history of biotechnology innovation in the U.S. into manufacturing leadership on the global stage.

The US’s leadership in research must be paired with equally strong leadership in process development and scale-up capabilities to transform our visionary developments into tangible outcomes. By engineering living cells to sustainably produce chemicals, materials, and structures, we have the potential to revolutionize industries and drive sustainable innovation.

These bioindustrial manufacturing processes are powered by feedstocks from the U.S., such as corn, woody biomass, waste gases, and agricultural waste. As a result, the impact of investment in bioindustrial manufacturing is felt across sectors of the U.S. economy, creating new markets for farmers, spurring rural job growth nationwide, ending U.S. reliance on foreign materials imports, and manufacturing sustainable products on American soil.

The $26.9 million investment includes $13.9 million of federal funds from the U.S. Department of Defense and $13 million through non-federal cost sharing. The U.S. has all the foundational pieces to overcome the challenges of commercialization and build a flourishing bioeconomy. These projects will help to bridge the gap between bioindustrial manufacturing and U.S. consumers, stocking store shelves with more sustainable products and giving ‘Made in America’ a renewed meaning. With continued cross-disciplinary collaboration and funding in bioindustrial manufacturing, the U.S. can lead the world into the bioeconomy of the late-21st century and beyond.

About the Author:
Douglas Friedman is CEO of BioMADE. In founding BioMADE, Doug seeks to secure the growth of the U.S. industrial biomanufacturing ecosystem and advance the non-health bioeconomy. He also serves as consultant (special government employee) at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy focused on a broad range of policy matters in non-health biotechnology and biomanufacturing as drivers for economic growth and opportunities in national security. Prior to BioMADE, Doug was the founding Executive Director and President of Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC). He earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Northwestern University and a B.S. in Chemical Biology from the University of California, Berkeley.

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