Industrial Uses of Agricultural Materials

The Industrial Uses of Agricultural Materials Situation and Outlook Report was published from June 1993 to July 1997.

When most people think of agriculture or farming, they think of food. Few are aware that what farmers grow is also used to produce a vast array of nonfood industrial and consumer products. This Situation and Outlook report covers industrial uses of agricultural materials. New uses and their impacts are highlighted. The report provides economic intelligence to people involved in all aspects of taking agricultural materials from the farmgate through the industrial marketplace.

The topics covered include:

• Industrial Uses: Some Science, Economics, and History
• Macroeconomic and Industrial Outlook
• Starches and Sugars (ethanol, adhesives, biopolymers)
• Fats and Oils (industrial rapeseed, crambe, canola, surfactants, soy inks)
• Natural Fibers (kenaf, jute, abaca, hemp, sisal, coir, milkweed)
• Animal Products (beef byproducts, inedible tallow, poultry byproducts, whey)
• Forest Products (recycled wood wastes, underutilized forest byproducts, biopulping, lumber composites)
• Specialty Plant Products (taxol, guayule)
• Special Article: The Effects of Expanding Biodegradable Polymer Production on the Farm Sector
• Special Article: Ethanol's Evolving Role in the U.S. Automobile Fuel Market
• Data Tables

• Introduction: Federal Programs Help Develop Biobased Industrial Uses
• Macroeconomic and Industrial Outlook: Modest U.S. Economic Growth Ahead for 1994
• Starches and Sugars: Future Demand for Ethanol and Adhesives Depend on Environmental Regulations
• Fats and Oils: Agriculture and Industry Explore New Crop and Market Opportunities (castor, lesquerella, glycerine, biodiesel)
• Natural Fibers: Kenaf and Flax Find Niche Markets
• Animal Products: Livestock Byproducts and Seafood Wastes Contain Valuable Ingredients
• Forest Products: Technology and Environmental Issues Face the Pulp and Paper Industry
• Specialty Plant Products: Guayule, Neem, and Genetically Altered Tobacco Search for Niche Markets
• Special Article: The Feasibility of Producing Biodiesel in the United States Using a Community-Based Facility
• Data Tables

• Introduction: U.S. and European Activities Promote Biobased Industrial Products
• Macroeconomic and Industrial Outlook: Strong U.S. Economic Growth Ahead Provides Solid Support for Agriculturally Based Industrial Products
• Starches and Sugars: Ethanol and Citric Acid Increase the Use of Corn
• Fats and Oils: Plasticizers, Paints, and Biodiesel Expand Markets for Fats and Oils
• Forest Products: As Longrun Lumber Prices Rise, Industry Shifts To Engineered Wood Products and Explores Other Materials
• Specialty Plant Products: More Uses for Taxol and Neem
• Special Article: Energetics and Economics of Producing Biodiesel From Beef Tallow Look Positive
• Special Article: Opportunities for New Coproducts From Ethanol Production
• Data Tables

• Introduction: Development and Commercialization of Biobased Materials Continue
• Macroeconomic and Industrial Outlook: Modest U.S. Economic Growth in 1995 Provides Support for Industries Using Agricultural Materials
• Starches and Sugars: Ethanol, Starch, and Sorbitol Increase the Demand for Corn
• Fats and Oils: Meadowfoam Oil and Polyols Expand Vegetable Oil Markets
• Forest Products: Use of Composite Products Is Growing (straw, paper, wood waste)
• Specialty Plant Products: Interest Increases in Plants as Medicine (also guayule)
• Special Article: Biogas Production from Animal Manures: What Is the Potential?
• Data Tables

• Introduction: USDA Works With DOE and DOD To Develop Biobased Materials
• Macroeconomic and Industrial Outlook: Modest U.S. Economic Growth Expected in 1995 and 1996
• Starches and Sugars: Ethanol, Biopolymers, and Xanthan Gum Use Corn as a Feedstock
• Fats and Oils: Surfactants and Biodiesel Expand the Use of Vegetable Oils (also crambe)
• Natural Fibers: Cotton Finds Markets Beyond Traditional Uses
• Animal Products: Dairy Products Used To Make Pharmaceuticals and Related Compounds
• Forest Products: Industry and Residences Use Wood for Energy
• Specialty Plant Products: Essential Oils Widely Used in Flavors and Fragrances
• Special Article: Life-Cycle Costs of Alternative Fuels: Is Biodiesel Cost Competitive for Urban Buses?
• Data Tables

• Introduction: 1996 Farm Legislation Affects Industrial Crops and Products
• Macroeconomic and Industrial Outlook: More Moderate Economic Growth Expected in the Rest of 1996 and 1997
• Starches and Sugars: Ethanol Production Down, But Packaging and Adhesive Uses Are Up
• Fats and Oils: Crambe, Industrial Rapeseed, and Tung Provide Valuable Oils (also glycerine, biodiesel)
• Natural Fibers: Hesperaloe Has Properties That Interest Papermakers
• Animal Products: Wool Gaining Favor Outside of Apparel Industry
• Forest Products: Supply of Recovered Wood and Paper Is an Impetus for Recycling
• Specialty Plant Products: Interest Increases in Using Plants for Environmental Remediation
• Special Article: Potential Niche Fuel Markets for Biodiesel and Their Effects on Agriculture
• Data Tables

• Introduction: Industry Used an Estimated $110 Billion of Agricultural Materials in 1992
• Macroeconomic and Industrial Outlook: U.S. Economic Growth Is Expected To Moderate in the Rest of 1997 and 1998
• Starches and Sugars: Ethanol, Citric Acid, and Lactic Acid Use Corn as a Feedstock
• Fats and Oils: Soybean Meal and Oil Make Inroads in New Industrial Applications (adhesives, composites, plastics, inks, solvents)
• Natural Fibers: Straw and Kenaf Make Inroads in Building Materials and Paper
• Special Article: Crambe Production and Processing: A Case Study of the Effects on Rural Areas in North Dakota
• Special Article: Comparative Economics of Producing Lesquerella in Various Areas of the Southwestern United States
• Data Tables