Idaho Falls, ID [July 24, 2025]- BioLogiQ, a global leader in biopolymer innovation, has been awarded grant funding through the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s $5 million Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab (SPIL) at Clemson University, launched through the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) Initiative. The BioLogiQ/Clemson partnership will develop and commercialize cutting-edge packaging solutions to help U.S. farmers meet evolving global packaging and trade standards. The project will focus on flexible film, pallet wrap, and protective packaging used for fruits, vegetables, nuts, and specialty greens.
“As a company based in rural Idaho, we’re extremely proud to be close to the farmers that supply our raw materials,” comments Steven Sherman, CEO of BioLogiQ.
“We feel honored and excited to be part of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s $5 million investment to support American farmers,” says Kanth Josyula, BioLogiQ’s Director of Product Development and co-author of the company’s grant proposal. The Foundation for Fresh Produce is administering ASCE’s other SPIL program.
Two packaging solutions utilizing BioLogiQ’s proprietary BioBlend® technology will be developed for commercial use- one made with ENTEC Polymers post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials and BioLogiQ’s USDA Certified Biobased NuPlastiQ® resin, and another will be designed to be fully compostable. Both will be developed in compliance with requirements in key global markets for U.S. agriculture products, including the EU, UK, Canada, and Japan.
“With global regulations shifting rapidly, U.S. farmers need packaging solutions that are not only high-performing but also compliant with foreign regulations to maintain access to key export markets, and meet consumer demands for environmental responsibility,” says Dave Fairbanks, Director of Technical Services at BioLogiQ, who also co-authored BioLogiQ’s SPIL-ASCE proposal. “This grant allows us to accelerate the commercialization of scalable, sustainable materials that work for U.S. producers, as well as reduce reliance on fossil fuels, build market demand for recycled content, and lower global carbon emissions.”
BioLogiQ’s innovative technologies provide U.S. produce exporters with economic advantages while addressing critical sustainability challenges related to global food waste, which generates 4.4 gigatons of greenhouse gases annually—more than four times the emissions from aviation, and worth an estimated $940 billion. Diana Thomas, Sustainability Manager at BioLogiQ, emphasizes that discarded packaged food often ends up in landfills and creates methane during breakdown, a greenhouse gas over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. BioLogiQ’s strategic dual packaging solutions, including compostable options and designs using ENTEC Polymers PCR, reduce landfill waste, drive demand for renewable materials, and support global de-fossilization efforts, providing exporters with practical tools to navigate regulatory environments increasingly focused on circular economy principles.
“As a distribution leader, we pride ourselves in collaborating for a sustainable tomorrow,” says Ed Hindy with ENTEC Polymers. “Over the past 35 years, ENTEC has been a leader in recycled and biobased polymer distribution across the Americas. Our technical experts have helped customers troubleshoot a wide range of problems and have partnered to develop sustainable plastic solutions based on the challenges of the market. Now, it’s time to take on the next great challenge: creating a sustainable present to ensure a viable future.”
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About BioLogiQ, Inc.
Founded with a mission to improve the sustainability index of plastics, BioLogiQ develops biopolymer technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of plastic products. Their signature product, NuPlastiQ®, is used globally to create environmentally conscious alternatives to traditional plastic products. Their full range of products comprises a scalable technology platform designed to support corporate environmental goals.
For more information, visit www.biologiq.com.
About Clemson University
Clemson University’s Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab, through the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (SPIL-ASCE) program with support from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, furthers research for export-ready innovative packaging solutions for U.S. specialty crops. The lab integrates packaging science, supply chain research, and regulatory expertise to improve shelf life, reduce waste, and ensure compliance with international standards. By collaborating with growers, exporters, and agencies, this program supports packaging innovations that enhance the global competitiveness of American fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crop exports.
For more information, visit https://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/fresh/innovation/
About ENTEC Polymers
ENTEC Polymers is North America’s largest thermoplastic resin distributor. Leveraging decades of strong technical sales and logistics expertise, ENTEC partners with over 30 resin suppliers to deliver customized commodity, engineering, recycled, biobased, and compostable polymers- helping customers reduce waste, optimize design, and meet sustainability goals. With world-class testing, compounding, and supply chain services, ENTEC empowers manufacturing across diverse industries.
For more information, visit https://www.entecpolymers.com/
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