Victoria Finkenstadt , National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, United States Department of Agriculture, 1815 North Univeristy Street, Peoria, IL, US, 61604 | Soma Chakraborty | LinShu Liu | Xiaojun Liao | Rama Konduri

Polymeric materials from renewable resources are important for the conservation and protection of the global environment while maintaining a standard of living. Replacement of petroleum-based plastics and polymeric materials is highly desirable and can offer an economic advantage. With the continuing interest in biofuels, bioenergy and alternate energy sources, the use of agriculture (plant, animal, land, marine) plays a vital role in the development of bio-based chemical feedstocks. Biobased materials are inherently biodegradable and provide good functionality as natural polymers. This symposium will emphasize the conversion, synthesis, use, and environmental fate of agriculturally-derived polymers for a variety of value-added products: Polymeric materials derived from renewable resources; Carbohydrates, proteins, oils & lignin; Biomass utilization; Environmental degradation studies; Utilization of agricultural commodities for advanced materials; Synthesis and characterization of new polymers, copolymers, blends and composites; Physical and chemical properties; Value added products; Novel uses; Environmental impact of plastics; and Economic/Political/Social issues for renewable resources or "green" technology.