EMERGING IMPORTANCE OF BIO-BASED PRODUCTS AND BIO-ENERGY IN THE U.S. ECONOMY: INFORMATION DISSEMINATION AND TRAINING OF STUDENTS

Bio-based products are non-food, non-feed agricultural products that are used in a variety of commercial/industrial applications, thereby harnessing the energy of the sun to provide raw materials for industry and transportation fuels. The importance of bio-based products in the U.S. and the global economy is expected to increase tremendously. The objectives of this paper are to: (1) identify various bio-based products and energy sources and their applications, (2) examine emerging importance of bio-based products in the U.S. and discuss technical marketing barriers and need for market development and maintenance of information resources, and (3) discuss a plan to prepare students to work in the bio-based product economy.