NCGA’s
Shunk Discusses Potential Impact of Bioproducts Industry on Rural Development
(5-10-04)
A viable bioproducts industry could
provide the same type of rural development made possible by the ethanol industry,
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)
Director of Business Development Rene Shunk told a group of researchers at
the University of California–Davis last week.
In a presentation entitled “The Next Ethanol: the Potential of the Emerging
Bioproducts Industry,” Shunk drew parallels between the rural development
occurring as the result of ethanol production and the potential for similar
development coming from a sustainable bioproducts industry.
“New jobs and investments will be brought into rural communities, as
new processing and manufacturing facilities move into those communities to
be near renewable feedstocks,” she said.
Shunk pointed out that today only a small percentage of U.S. energy, chemicals
and materials originate from biomass. But use of renewable materials is likely
to rise as consumers and manufactures recognize the value of a biobased economy,
she said.
“The bioproducts industry has already started to grow, bringing new
products to consumers, new markets to growers and new investments to our communities,” Shunk
said. “And while all of this is being accomplished, we’re reducing
our dependence on foreign sources of energy.”
While in Davis, Shunk also met with researchers who are studying seed biotechnology,
fiber and stover usage. She said academic researchers appear to be increasingly
interested in corn processing and bioproducts. And as the bioproducts industry
continues to grow, corn producers will enjoy increased market demand and more
profit opportunities.
“Our goal is to increase the value and utilization of the corn crop,” Shunk
said. “By doing this, existing markets will be expanded and profit opportunities
for corn growers will increase.”
To learn more about the newest bioproducts, visit the Corn-Based Products
Guide at www.ncga.com.