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A biobased product, as defined by the Secretary of Agriculture in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, is any manufactured, commercial, or industrial good (non-food) that is made up of biological materials or agricultural resources within the United States. Such materials considered biobased may come from the byproducts of animals, plants, or other biological sources that are non-petroleum based.

Sources of Biobased Products
Some examples of agricultural resources that make up many biobased products include; soybeans, corn, kenaf, flax, jute, and numerous other types of crops that are harvested all across America. Current applications of these agricultural resources create products such as ethanol (corn-based), soy candles,  soy-based lubricants, kenaf office paper, and bioplastics to name a few.

Benefits of Biobased Products
The purchasing of biobased products helps many of the farmers across America who grow corn, soybeans, and other resources used by companies in the biobased industry. Another key benefit of biobased products is that they are not petroleum-based. This helps alleviate the consumption of resources that harm the environment in terms of biodegrability, toxicity, and pollution.

Federal Biobased Products Preferred Procurement Program (FB4P)
The FB4P program was created after the passing of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (FSRIA), also known as the 2002 Farm Bill. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is overseeing the program, with the work being done at Iowa State University. The research undertaken by the program helps implement the Farm Bill’s requirement of getting federal agencies to specifically buy biobased products. One key factor is the requirement that such products are readily available, reasonably priced, and pass the required performance standards of their non-biobased counterparts.

United Soybean Board
The United Soybean Board helps promote the use of soybeans farmed across America for use in consumer and industrial products. Originally created from the 1990 Farm Bill and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the United Soybean Board performs research, advertising, and other functions to strengthen the soybean industry. To see the variety of products made from soybeans, a directory of products and companies is offered on their website.

Examples of companies that develop Biobased Products

 * NatureWorks LLC : Produces a variety of polymers that come from biobased resources, such as corn, which can be made into apparel, biodegradable containers, bedding, and numerous other applications.


 * Renewable Lubricants, Inc. : Develops biobased lubricants derived from soy, corn, canola, sunflower, and other renewable resources grown from farmers across North America


 * Gemtek Products : Offers a line of multi-purpose cleaners, solvents, lubricants, and other products that are normally petroleum based.