Industrial Agricultural Products Center
Biopolymers, Biochemicals, Biofuels, Biopower
The Center co-sponsors an annual competition with the Nebraska Soybean Board, the "Innovative Uses of Soybean Contest." The contest is open to all students enrolled in a Nebraska college or university, who compete for cash prizes of $250 to $3,500 and the opportunity to develop their product. The contest is designed to help students learn more about the soybean industry, the process of developing and marketing a commercial products, and presenting a proposal for funding. Previous winners have explored the patent process and secured additional funding for market research on their products
Occasionally, increasing costs of raw materials make it necessary for businesses to find alternatives. Perhaps changing consumer demands require companies to modify product lines or introduce new products. Whatever the reasons for developing new processes or products, Center staff work with industry representatives to make transitions as smooth as possible. They help evaluate market impact and develop strategies to take advantage of market opportunities, and also help assess the potential commercial value of newly developed technologies or products. This information provides a basis for many of the decisions that must be made during the commercialization process.
The future success of the Industrial Agricultural Products Center and our country rests in our collective ability to anticipate the needs of industry in the 21st century. We must continue to work in partnership with industry to develop new products and processes. Most importantly, we must ensure that this country's bountiful harvests continue to enhance our economic and environmental well-being.
For further information, contact the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Industrial Agricultural Products Center, 208 L.W. Chase Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0730. Telephone call: 1-402-472-1634; Fax: 1-402-472-6338