B&C® Biobased and Sustainable Chemicals Blog

On August 28, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) advised the public of its determination that Darling 54 American Chestnut (Castanea dentata), which was developed using genetic engineering for tolerance to the fungal pathogen, Cryphonectria parasitica, is no longer considered regulated. 91 Fed Reg. 55510. According to the notice, APHIS’ determination is based on its evaluation of information and data submitted...

On July 6, 2026, the American Chemical Society (ACS) announced the winners of the 2026 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards. According to ACS, the 2026 awards “recognize outstanding work in recyclable polyurethanes [PU], cleaner pharmaceutical manufacturing, sustainable crop protection, biodegradable polymers, [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)]-free semiconductor cooling and biocide-free marine coatings.” ACS notes that these innovations “reduce or eliminate hazardous substances, cut...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced on August 18, 2026, that it has received a petition from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. seeking a determination of nonregulated status for COR-23134-4 soybean (Glycine max), referred to as COR23134, which has been developed using genetic engineering to express Cry1B.34.1, Cry1B.61.1, and IPD083Cb proteins to protect against certain susceptible lepidopteran pests, and the GM-HRA protein...

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology in Dalian, People’s Republic of China, in August 2026. According to APEC’s August 20, 2026, press release, participants discussed new innovations and strengthened safety principles for genome technologies. Member countries demonstrated how precision breeding produces tangible results with adoption spreading across different fruits, vegetables, and meat. The press release notes that 75...

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has petitioned USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeking a determination of nonregulated status for two European plum (Prunus domestica) lines (34 plum and 157 plum) that have been developed using genetic engineering to promote early and near-continuous blooming. 91 Fed. Reg. 52663. According to APHIS, the petition states that the information provided indicates that 34 plum and 157 plum are unlikely to pose a plant pest...

On August 6, 2026, Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) introduced the Biotech Investment National Security Act (BINSA) (S. 5316). According to Ricketts’s August 6, 2026, press release, the bill would ensure American investment in “adversary biotechnology” is subject to the review requirements of the Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security (COINS) Act. Enacted in December 2025, the COINS Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations...

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on July 14, 2026, entitled Biotechnology: Applications, Challenges, and Policy Options for Engineered Microbes for Waste Cleanup that assesses current and emerging genetically engineered (GE) microbe technologies for waste cleanup. The report examines: the status, benefits, and risks of GE microbes for waste cleanup; the challenges of developing or using GE microbes for waste cleanup; and options policymakers could consider to...

On July 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office (AFFO) announced its intent to fund the advancement of novel, high-impact chemical technologies. According to AFFO, the proposed funding opportunity, Accelerating Scale-up and Pre-piloting of Emerging Chemical Technologies (ASPECT), will advance technologies for producing chemicals from alternative and waste feedstocks. AFFO notes that more than 96 percent of manufactured goods rely on products from...

On August 4, 2026, the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care will hold a hearing on “Building a Resilient Health Care Future with Biotechnology.” The Subcommittee will hear from the following witnesses: Alan D. Palkowitz, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI); Michelle Rozo, Ph.D., Vice Chair, National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB); Vera P. Luther, M.D., MS, Section Chief of Infectious Disease and...

In July, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published the Trump Administration’s 2026 Unified Agenda. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Unified Agenda includes the following rulemakings regarding biobased products and biotechnology: Technical Guidelines for the Production of Regenerative Agricultural Biofuel Feedstocks: The Biden USDA issued an interim final rule (IFR) to establish new regulations that will set requirements for the quantification, reporting, and verification...