John Bode:
Unlocking new demand for the ag sector through the bio-based products.
“The bioeconomy is the future for markets and for American agriculture.”
John Bode, president and CEO of the Corn Refiners Associations, says farmers and the ethanol industry will play in the sector. “Just about anything that can be done with petrochemicals or plastics, can be made renewable.”
He tells Brownfield an increase in demand for consumer products like textiles, household goods and other times could add value for corn farmers. “The real opportunity is if we can have the hundreds of products or even more like 1,000s to follow ethanol and use renewables in these industrial products.”
Bode says the ag and manufacturing industries are in position to meet some short-term demand but will need to improve infrastructure to meet long term goals. And, he says, it will take a large effort to educate consumers on the benefits.
The Council on Competitiveness is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the U.S. economic competitiveness in the global marketplace. This week’s meeting was focused on solutions to grow the bioeconomy.
