The New Bioeconomy

The industrial base is solidly in place, and the region is building on its life sciences momentum. "Some of the efforts that are going on in the state, some of which I am personally involved in, are gearing up Iowa – certainly this part of the state – to become the center of the shift from a petroleum economy to a bioeconomy," says Anderl. A state program called Iowa Industries of the Future includes an agricultural component that is now being implemented – Anderl is co-chairing that effort, which is being spearheaded in large part by Iowa State University. (To access a report on the program online, visit www.ciras.iastate.edu/iof/agriculture.html.)
        "The notion of converting from a fossil fuel economy to a bioeconomy has resonated well here in Iowa," notes Anderl. Fossil fuels come from plants that grew millions of years ago, he points out. "Rather than mine them out of the ground, why not just grow them here in the Midwest? Ethanol production is just one part of it. You can take carbon, the fundamental building block that's in abundance agriculturally here in Iowa, and turn it into almost anything you want. Biotechnology gives you the tool with which do that in an environmentally friendly way. There's no depletion of a non-renewable resource."
        The industrial ramifications in general and for eastern Iowa are substantial. The Iowa Industries of the Future initiative predicts a booming bioeconomy in the Hawkeye State with as many as 10 "biorefineries" in operation by 2020. These facilities will convert agricultural commodities into new products, including industrial chemicals, enzymes, lubricants, fuels, building materials and electric power generation.