Food Waste Bioplastics Factories

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Indiana-based startup AgroRenew is on a mission to transform watermelon waste into bioplastics, aiming to revolutionize the construction industry with sustainable alternatives. Co-founders Brian and Katie Southern are behind the initiative, reducing watermelon waste to micron dust and blending it with other bio sources to create a 100% biodegradable resin polymer. This approach minimizes environmental impact while addressing the 100 million pounds of annual watermelon waste in southern Indiana.

AgroRenew's innovative solution extends beyond watermelons, also using cantaloupes and pumpkins to produce eco-friendly bioplastics. The company's $83 million facility near Vincennes is set to be operational by 2026, signaling a transformative shift in construction material production.

The facility's strategic design and expansion represents AgroRenew's commitment to sustainable practices, offering a solution for the industry's plastic pollution concerns.