Michigan's Position in the U.S. Biofuel and Bioeconomy Market
DOWNLOADSeptember 30, 2010 - MSU Product Center Food • Ag • Bio and Shepherd Advisors
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EmailThis Michigan’s Position in the U.S. Biofuel and Bioenergy Market paper provides an objective comparison of various aspects of bioeconomy potential and activity in Michigan relative to the entire United States and to the Great Lakes Region. More specifically, this paper examines how Michigan compares to other states across a portfolio of bioeconomy metrics:
- biomass feedstock supply
- biobased energy production and consumption
- public policy
- public investments
In addition, an important issue is raised about the lack of available metrics on bioeconomy employment, private investment, and innovation.
As outlined in Advancing the Bioeconomy: Overview of Michigan’s Progress, the Product Center defines the bioeconomy as any commercial or industrial effort that is based on the conversion of growing, renewable biomaterials into products that replace petrochemical or fossil fuel‐based products. The three main sectors of the bioeconomy include biofuels, bioenergy, and biomaterials, which are all based on feedstock resources. Biofuel and bioenergy are more developed markets and more easily measured than biomaterials; therefore, the metrics identified in this paper are focused on biofuels and bioenergy.
As much as possible, this report draws from the most recent publicly available data from a variety of government agencies, trade associations, and published reports. The report uses quantitative data as available. The data presented represent a sample of select key metrics and are not meant to be comprehensive.
Regionally, Michigan is compared to five other Great Lakes states: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. These states are similar in terms of geographic features and natural resources, economies, commercial and industrial markets, and climate.
