The following is an invitation from the United Soybean Board to college students, QSSB staff and other biobased stakeholders interested in learning more about biobased products:   

Biobased Concepts Webinar: Know of any college students interested in biobased chemistry, sustainability or plant science? Have them register for the webinar, Converting Biobased Concepts into Commercial Successes to learn what it’s like to birth a biobased idea and mature it to successfully compete in the market place. Collegiate Biobased Network members, QSSBs, USB directors and other biobased stakeholders are also welcome to attend the event. Sponsored by the United Soybean Board, the webinar will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 4 p.m. EST/ 3 p.m. CST.  

This webinar will feature seasoned views of what makes a successful sustainable product as well as what it takes to put a product on the road to commercial success. Hear from the following biobased engineers:

• Dr. Deborah Mielewski, Ford Motor Company
• Kevin Blankenship, Universal Textile Technologies

Dr. Mielewski is the technical leader of the Plastics Research Group at Ford Motor Company’s Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn, Mich. She initiated the biomaterials program at Ford Research in 2001, and her team was the first to demonstrate soy-based foam that met all the requirements for automotive seating.

Kevin Blankenship is an industrial engineer with Universal Textile Technologies (UTT) in Dalton, Ga. From the University of Massachussetts-Lowell’s new sports field to New York roof tops and the first LEED Gold certified restaurant, UTT’s soy backing is bringing environmental and energy security benefits to customers through products like AstroTurf, Signature Crypton Carpets and SYNLawn.

Participants are encouraged to ask questions via computer during the session.

To participate, register online. Contact Karen Edwards for more information on the webinar at Karen@kcegroup.com.