The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota and LifeScience Alley present Renewable Materials Summit: Emerging Markets in the Upper Midwest. The one day program will feature industry leaders focusing on the developing and established markets in renewable materials, while exploring issues yet to be confronted.

“The renewable materials industry is developing quickly,” said Kevin McKinnon, President of Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation. “Companies and communities should become educated on these opportunities so they are in a better position to capitalize on this growing market.”

The renewable materials market includes materials that are made from biological sources. These can be biofibers, biopolymers, biodegradable plastics, and bio-packaging. Familiar resources used to make these materials include corn, soybeans and wood fibers.

“The Midwest has the potential to be a global leader in the renewable materials industry,” said Dale Wahlstrom, CEO/President of The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota and LifeScience Alley. “Our region has considerable strengths in material science, engineering, and processing. From feedstock to manufacturing, we have all the capabilities to establish and grow this industry.”

Highlighted speakers include Jim Lunt and Luca Zullo. Both Lunt and Zullo are pioneers of the renewable materials industry. Lunt will draw on his 40 years of experience in the plastics industry to provide insights on the latest developments in bioplastics. Zullo will provide an overview of regional opportunities for agriculture and forestry resources in this emerging industry. The conference will be held at the Courtyard Marriot in Moorhead, Minnesota on April 27.

Thank you to our Premier Sponsors: Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis, Fredrikson & Byron, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and North Dakota Corn Growers Association.

Also, we would like to thank our Supporting Sponsors: AgCountry Farm Credit Services, American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, Cleantech Open, Faegre & Benson, Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, GVL Poly, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, MCG Biocomposites, NDSU Bio Energy and Products Innovation Center, Biocomposites International Research Network and Red River Valley Research Corridor