This project aims to spotlight businesses and research in Michigan that utilize renewable resources to build and develop a sustainable economy. The videos produced highlight these researchers and companies which are aiming to drive this new economy and job market of the twenty-first century.

Michigan currently faces a pivotal turning point in the fundamentals of its economy. As our country turns away from fossil-fuels, Michigan stands poised to capture a great share of the new bio-economy. The abundant natural resources and excellent research universities can help create a new economy based in Michigan.

'A New Green Economy' features only a fraction of the research and progress being made in the field of bio-economics. Our hope is that this glimpse into a promising and emerging field will help to further stimulate interest and research in something that will be a vital part of our future and possibly a staple of Michigan's evolving economy.

What is Bio-Economy?

As an overview, this spot to defines bioeconomy through the voices of those on the front lines. These researchers are pushing us forward into a new bio-based economy, and they know better than anyone what a “bioeconomy” will look like, will work like, and will mean for us.

Bio-Fuels

Working with rutabaga plants Dr. Christoph Benning is finding a way to maximize the oil output of the plant to make the rutabaga a viable option as a bio-fuel. The success of this project would create a new cash crop for Michigan farmers in the sugar beet sector.

Bio-Plastics

Bio-Plastics, Polymers & Composites is working toward producing starch and soy based biodegradable alternatives for plastics, foams, fuels, and many other products. If you use it in everyday life and it is currently made with oil, they strive to replace that oil with a compound derived from plants. Their research is helping boost the bio-economy by bringing more jobs and businesses into the agricultural sector, as well as a interdependence of agriculture and industry.

Bio-Beer

Housed at the Michigan Brewing Company in Webberville, MI, the MSU Bio-Refinery Training Center is educating the next generation of bio-fuel creators. The training center prepares Michigan residents for a career in bio-fuel production. If that weren’t enough, the fuel that they produce is used to power the boilers at the Michigan Brewing Company, making the local brewery a cutting-edge provider of ‘Bio-Beer’. The sky is the limit for bio-fuel technology in Michigan, and the MSU Bio-Refinery Training Center is helping to build the workforce to support the industry.

Solar Panels

The Green Panel, is a Brighton, Michigan based company. Their main focus is the engineering, furnishing, and installation of solar panel systems to provide tomorrow's energy demands. The Green Panel, Inc. plans to capitalize on Michigan's strong manufacturing background and changing economy to position Michigan as a national leader in solar panel production.

Bio-Fibers

Dr. Laurent Matuana and Omar Faruk, work with the Michigan State University Forestry Department developing fiber materials made from plants that are stronger and perform better than their non-biodegrabable counterparts. By finding uses for Michigan's agricultural waste as an alternative source of usable building material, manufacturing plants require personel to run them. Also, it is envisioned that the manufacturing plants would be located near to the agricultural sources and provide many job opportunities.

Waste to Energy

Anaerobic digestion research helps local farmers reuse waste and create energy. These digesters convert waste into methane gas that can be used to generate electricity or make natural gas. Steven Safferman explains how this system works and how it can help stimulate Michigan’s agricultural economy.

The Future of the Bio-Economy

Many would agree that moving to a bioeconomy is a good direction for us, and ultimately this research will bring many benefits to the state. Across industries as things move away from petrol and towards bio-based alternatives, jobs and businesses will be created. The future is bright.