Cardiff, CA. October 15, 2024 — Algenesis Corporation DBA Algenesis Materials announced today that it has earned the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product Label for Soleic™ 1230C.
Soleic™ 1230C, our soft foam designed for insoles, is an innovative biobased material containing 57% renewable biobased content derived from plant-based sources. This product significantly reduces reliance on fossil fuels and helps mitigate climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Soleic™ 1230C is designed to leave no persistent microplastics behind, promoting a cleaner environment. With its USDA Certified Biobased Product Label, it assures customers of its sustainable value while providing performance characteristics that match or exceed conventional materials.
The Soleic™ 1230C can now display a unique USDA label that highlights its percentage of biobased content. Third-party verification for a product's biobased content is administered through the USDA BioPreferred® Program, which strives to increase the development, purchase, and use of biobased products.
Biobased products help address climate change by offering renewable alternatives to petroleum-based products; sequester carbon dioxide, lowering the concentration of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere that contribute to climate change; create and expand markets; are generally safer for people and the environment than their petroleum-based counterparts; and represent incredible technological advances and innovations.
The USDA Certified Biobased Product Label displays a product's biobased content, which is the portion of a product that comes from a renewable source, such as plant, animal, marine, or forestry feedstocks. Utilizing renewable biobased materials displaces the need for non-renewable petroleum-based chemicals. Biobased products are cost-comparative, readily available, and perform as well as or better than their conventional counterparts.
“The USDA Certified Biobased Product Label is a critical third-party verification that assures our customers Soleic™ 1230C is made from renewable, plant-based sources rather than petroleum. In a market where sustainability claims can be unclear, this certification provides clear, unbiased validation of our product’s biobased content. It highlights our commitment to replacing petroleum-based materials with renewable alternatives, helping to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.” – Marissa Tessman, Senior Research Scientist at Algenesis.
"We applaud Algenesis Corporation DBA Algenesis Materials for earning the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label," said Vernell Thompson, USDA BioPreferred Program. "The label is intended to help spur economic development, create new jobs, and provide new markets for farm commodities. But the label also makes it easier for consumers and federal buyers to locate biobased products and consider planet-friendlier options during purchase decisions. By having their products become USDA Certified Biobased, Algenesis Corporation DBA Algenesis Materials joins an expanding list of businesses combating inaccurate marketing claims and the practice of greenwashing, while also contributing to a thriving bioeconomy that decreases our reliance on petroleum."
In the latest Economic Impact Report released by USDA, the biobased products industry supported 4.6 million American jobs; contributed $470 billion to the U.S. economy and generated 2.79 jobs in other
sectors of the economy for every biobased job. Biobased products also have a substantial environmental impact, displacing about 9.4 million barrels of oil a year, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 12.7 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents per year.
###
About Algenesis Corporation DBA Algenesis Materials:
Algenesis is an innovative leader in sustainable materials, dedicated to transforming the industry through groundbreaking advancements. With its origins in UCSD’s research excellence, Algenesis is committed to developing Soleic® branded solutions that pave the way for a sustainable future. We are revolutionizing the petroleum plastics industry with cutting-edge technology that makes plant-based materials durable, affordable, and biodegradable, enabling manufacturers to combat plastic pollution. By integrating science, technology, and environmental stewardship, Algenesis is not only creating superior products but also spearheading a movement towards a greener, cleaner world. For more about Soleic by Algenesis www.soleicmaterials.com
About the USDA BioPreferred Program
With the goal of increasing the development, purchase, and use of biobased products, USDA's BioPreferred® Program was first introduced in the 2002 Farm Bill and reauthorized in 2018. It requires federal agencies and contractors to give purchasing preference to biobased products. The USDA BioPreferred Program also includes a voluntary certification and labeling initiative for biobased products. This is referred to as the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label.
More than 1,800 companies across the U.S. and in 47 countries participate in the Program. From farm and field all the way through the manufacturing process, the expanding market for biobased products creates jobs, supports rural economic growth in America, and has a positive impact on our planet. Have questions? Please contact: Vernell Thompson, USDA BioPreferred Program at Vernell.Thompson@usda.gov.
