Even when the pandemic is long behind us, we should take two important lessons into the future: wash your hands, and focus on building resilience. BIO member POET is helping us do both.
POET is the world’s largest producer of biofuels—and they're expanding production of ethanol for hand sanitizer and fuel in Indiana and Ohio, reports Northeast Indiana Public Radio.
In recent months, the biofuels industry has faced uncertainty and hardship—due to the drop in demand caused by the pandemic, as well as policies that have undermined the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
“POET saw an opportunity,” says the report—and began manufacturing ethanol approved by the FDA for hand sanitizer at the height of the crisis.
Now, they’re making the change permanent—which will build resilience. “It supports area corn demand and economics for Indiana farms and enhances the value of Indiana corn and farmland in that process,” said Matt Braun, SVP and General Manager of POET.
The news is good for people and the planet, too. “This new product is going to grow the availability of cleaner, greener purified alcohol options available to consumers,” he concluded.
This is just one example of biotech solutions creating a more resilient economy and world.Learn more about the agriculture and environment biotech industry’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
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