WILMINGTON, DEL. (March 14, 2 p.m. ET) — DuPont Co. has applauded a recent presidential directive and proposed legislation that supports the growth of biobased products made from agricultural ingredients as good for the U.S. economy and the environment.

In February, President Barack Obama issued a memorandum calling for the expansion of the USDA BioPreferred Labeling Program and greater adoption of the program by federal agencies. The BioPreferred label certifies products are made with agricultural ingredients.

Obama has directed federal agencies to report on their purchases of BioPreferred certified products and asked the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to double the number of categories and products that are designated BioPreferred over the next 12 months. Additionally, the Grow It Here, Make It Here Bio-based Manufacturing Act would provide additional support for the BioPreferred program and the US biobased manufacturing industry.

These actions show that policymakers “understand the value of US leadership on innovative biobased products in the US,” said James Collins, president, DuPont Industrial Biosciences, in a news release.

DuPont’s BioPreferred-certified products include Susterra Propanediol, which is certified 100-percent Biobased by USDA. This product is a speciality glycol that offers a non-petroleum alternative for products such as polyurethanes, heat transfer fluids and aviation de-icing fluids. Benefits include improved cold-temperature flexibility in polyurethane systems.

DuPont’s biobased products also include DuPont Hytrel RS Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer, a renewably sourced polyol used to make hoses and tubing for automotive and industrial uses as well as for airbag doors and energy dampers.