Manufacturing Benefits: The private sector benefits from biochemicals in several ways. Biochemicals provide an environmental compliance tool for manufacturers and end-users. Substituting biochemicals can be a permanent solution to regulatory problems by replacing chemicals listed or soon to be listed on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Toxic Release Inventory (TRI).

Environmental Benefits: When compared to petrochemical alternatives, the use of biochemicals reduces upstream and downstream pollution. Utilizing plant matter in the manufacture of chemicals decreases the amount of upstream pollution generated from the extraction and processing of crude oil into chemicals. Chemical products derived from plant matter are highly biodegradable and in most cases can be disposed of safely and inexpensively, resulting in less downstream pollution.

Health Benefits: Businesses can improve the work environment for their employees by using biochemicals and thus reducing health and safety risks. Plant matter-derived chemicals are typically lower in toxicity, flammability and corrosivity than their petrochemical counterparts.

Cost Benefits: The economics of replacing petrochemicals with biochemicals are increasingly favorable and, when all costs are considered, biochemicals are competitive with petrochemicals. Manufacturers can save money by avoiding costly permits and compliance penalties and through a dramatic reduction in hazardous waste disposal costs. Companies manufacturing or using biochemicals can appeal to "green" consumers, a growing portion of the market. To learn more about how companies are saving money by using biochemicals, read ILSR's case studies.

Rural Economic Benefits: The use of plant matter in manufacturing chemicals stimulates rural economic development. Because plant matter is a bulky material, agricultural crops and residues are most efficiently converted into higher value end-products by nearby processing and manufacturing facilities. This provides greater income and opportunities for farmers and rural communities.

Companies interested in reducing environmental and worker safety regulatory pressures are seeking substitutes to petroleum-based manufacturing and operational chemicals. These replacement chemicals are derived from plant matter. Biochemicals can be used in place of petrochemicals at varying stages of product manufacturing to reduce pollution and create a safer work environment. In general, there are three types of biochemical substitution strategies:

Direct Substitution occurs when a chemically identical biochemical is substituted for a petrochemical. For example, when phenol, a chemical used heavily in the plastics and textile industries, is made from plant matter instead of petroleum, it generates 80 percent less pollution.

Indirect Substitution occurs when a functionally similar but not chemically identical biochemical replaces a petrochemical. For instance, citrus fruit derived d-limonene is an excellent substitute for petroleum based solvents like 1,1,1 trichloroethane in cleaning applications.

Product Substitution is the replacement of a petroleum-derived end product with a plant-based end product. For example, thermoplastics can be made from starch-based resins such as polylactide instead of petroleum.

Maximum pollution reduction can be achieved by product substitution - the replacement of a petroleum-based product with a plant based-product. This substitution method eliminates or greatly reduces the pollution generated at all phases of production, manufacture, and disposal.

For more information on these biochemical substitution strategies, please refer to ILSR’s factsheet Biochemical Substitution Strategies for Pollution Prevention.

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance has developed and maintains a database of companies involved in manufacturing and distributing biochemically-derived products. Housed at our Carbohydrate Economy Clearinghouse web page, the database is fully searchable by end product, raw material, company name, geographic region or other keywords. Biochemical product categories include industrial solvents, degreasers and cleaners, paints and coatings, inks, dyes, plastics, automotive fluids, fuels and others. Visit ILSR's company database to locate biochemical-derived products to meet your specific operations and manufacturing applications.

Learn from the experience of companies that have already made the switch to biochemicals. These case studies address the issues of economic feasibility, worker safety, performance, environmental regulations, and process changes.

Bolger Publications switched from using petroleum-based press wash to a vegetable-based product, resulting in a safer work environment and financial savings. To learn more about Bolger’s case study and the use of biochemicals in the printing industry, read ILSR's report "Biochemicals for the Printing Industry."

Schlegel Corporation, a manufacturer of automotive components, replaced methylene chloride with a biochemical cleaning system. Learn how they saved $72,000 in combined purchase, disposal and regulatory costs; read ILSR’s report "Biochemicals for the Automotive Industry."

Boeing Aerospace Corporation cleans its airplane parts with a plant-based terpene cleaning solvent in place of petroleum-based solvents. To learn more, read ILSR’s factsheet, "Inland Technology Inc.: Biochemical Cleaning Solvents."

National and local policy changes and procurement initiatives are encouraging a shift to the use of plant-based products and biochemicals. Here are some examples of policies that promote the development of a plant-based (biobased) product industry.

Executive Order 13134, "Developing and Promoting Biobased Products and Bioenergy," signed by President Clinton in 1999, encourages the expansion of the biobased product industry as a means of protecting the environment, improving rural farm economies, and reducing dependence on foreign oil supplies.

Executive Order 13101, "Greening the Government through Waste Prevention, Recycling and Federal Acquisition", is the first federal procurement policy to include the category "biobased products" in the definition of environmentally preferable products. To learn more, read ILSR’s article, "Purchasing Plant Matter: D.C. Opens the Door," printed in the Spring 1999 issue of The Carbohydrate Economy.

Michigan’s House of Representatives adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 34, urging state government agencies to use bio-based oils and fuels (made from renewable resources such as vegetable and seed oils) in fleet vehicles whenever possible.  

In Iowa, Senate File 2185 requires state agencies to give purchasing preference to biodegradable hydraulic fluid manufactured from soybeans.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the phase-out of the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) as a fuel additive and is encouraging the use of renewable alternatives such as ethanol.

The Carbohydrate Economy Clearinghouse web page is home to a number of biochemical-related resources developed by ILSR.

Visit the Library section to view ILSR's publications, including:

Biochemicals for the Printing Industry
This report reviews plant-based chemical products available for the printing industry and the advantages they offer. Products include soy-based ink, press washes, and substitutes for other toxic petroleum-based solvents.

Biochemicals for the Automotive Industry
This report on plant-based chemical options for the automotive industry explains how products made from plant matter are not only safer for workers and the environment, but can also prove economical, in part by reducing regulation and disposal fees.

Pollution Solutions
A series of twenty fact sheets, this resource covers pollution prevention opportunities using biochemical substitutes for key industries in the Great Lakes region. The fact sheets cover a wide variety of applications including printing, automotive, metal finishing, electronics, paints, and plastics.

The Carbohydrate Economy: Making Chemicals and Industrial Materials From Plant Matter
This 66-page ground-breaking report describes the past, present and future of a carbohydrate economy, and provides examples of pioneering plant matter-based products and businesses.

An executive summary of this report is available on-line and the full report can be ordered through ILSR.

Replacing Petrochemicals with Biochemicals: A Pollution Prevention Strategy for the Great Lakes Region
This report examines the production of biochemicals and their potential to replace petrochemicals as a fundamental element of a durable and comprehensive pollution prevention strategy.

An executive summary of this report is available on-line and the full report can be ordered through ILSR.

Visit the Other Resources section for the latest reports on biochemicals from related organizations.

Soy Ink Life-Cycle Study
This study, sponsored by the National Soy Ink Information Center, delves into the environmental impacts of soy-based ink. It quantifies the use of energy, resources, and the kinds of emissions released during the production of soy ink from planting and harvesting the crops to final product manufacture.

Corn Stover Collection & Potential for Ethanol Production
Chief Executive Assistance, Inc. (CEA) drafted this report that looks at an innovative corn stover collection operation located in Harlan, Iowa. It can be viewed as a pilot project for developing the infrastructure to use agricultural residues to produce ethanol.

Effects of Fuel Ethanol Use on Fuel-Cycle Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This study compares the use of ethanol-blended gasoline with that of straight gasoline in terms of petroleum use, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy consumption. According to the study, using 1 gallon of cellulosic ethanol would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 84 to 144 percent, energy use by 87 to 126 percent, and petroleum use by 86 to 106 percent.

Visit the Headlines section for the latest developments related to biochemical product manufacturing and end-use, including policy initiatives that promote the use of biochemicals.

Check the Related Sites section for links to other organizations and projects around the world that are involved in promoting the manufacture and use of plant matter-based products.