Green Products News...

Edison Manufacturers Network Webinar Video Available

If you missed our July webinar, Edison Manufacturers Network, click here to view a video of the presentation.


Gillmor’s Bill to Encourage Use of Bio-products, Boost Ohio Agriculture Passes Ohio Senate

State Senator Karen Gillmor (R- Tiffin) today announced the Ohio Senate approved Senate Bill 131, her bill that would create a “Buy Bio-Ohio” purchasing program, which would apply state purchasing preferences to bio-products. Bio-products are composed wholly or in significant part of biological elements, including renewable agricultural materials such as plant, animal and marine materials or forestry materials. Gillmor co-sponsored the bill with Senator Capri Cafaro (D- Hubbard).

Ohio law currently contains several provisions that give preference to Ohio vendors to supply state products and materials. Senate Bill 131 would apply these measures to bio-products, taking money state government is already spending and putting it back into Ohio’s economy in addition to providing a boost to the state’s agriculture industry.

"Agriculture is our state’s number one industry, and the bio-products field represents new markets and opportunities for Ohio crops such as soybeans and corn,” Gillmor said. “Giving purchasing preference to bio-products will not only benefit our economy, it will also boost research and development at Ohio colleges and universities as well as manufacturers producing bio-based items."

Under Senate Bill 131, state agencies and institutions of higher education would be required to give purchasing preference to bio-based products when a bio-based alternative is available. This requirement could be waived in cases where the product is not available within a reasonable period of time, fails to meet performance standards or is available only at an unreasonable price. Purchases of heating oil, electricity or fuel used in motor vehicles, would be exempt from the bill’s provisions.

The "Buy Bio-Ohio" program outlined in Senate Bill 131 would be modeled after the federal BioPreferred program, which involves the testing and certification of products to establish a list of approved bio-products in addition to purchasing preference. Senate Bill 131 would rely on the federal list and certification process to determine what products are eligible – helping to speed up implementation of the program and save the state time and money on testing.

In addition, Senate Bill 131 requires the state to issue a report each year detailing the number and types of bio-products purchased under the program and the amount of money spent by state agencies and state-supported colleges and universities.

Several Ohio-based companies are already involved in the development and manufacture of bio-products, including Battelle, Ashland Chemical, Proctor & Gamble, Sherwin Williams and Univenture, which is based in Senator Gillmor’s district.

Senate Bill 131 was approved by a 30-0 vote and now moves to the Ohio House of Representatives For further consideration.


The Ohio Green Product Company Locator is Now Available

It is now easier than ever to locate green products made by Ohio companies. The Northwest Ohio Green Products Center announces the development of the Ohio Green Product Company Locator available here on the Northwest Ohio Green Products Center website. This tool makes it easier and faster to locate a green product companies in Ohio.

You can locate, by product type or by county location, Ohio companies making green products. Company contact information is provided and a unique feature is a map that provides the location of each company, as well as, directions.

Click here to run the Ohio Green Product Company Locator


Green Products Center Webinar Video Available

If you missed our webinars earlier this year, you can still catch the presentations on video:



What is the Northwest Ohio Green Products Center?

The Northwest Ohio Green Products Center is a collaborative effort among several partnering organizations to provide the resources, technical assistance and business expertise to regional entrepreneurs or established manufacturers who currently produce, or plan to produce, green or biobased products. As a leader in alternative energy and advancing new technology, coupled with a unique manufacturing base and strong agricultural presence, Northwest Ohio serves as a prime location for continued green product development.

Biobased products are composed, in whole or significant part, from renewable plant or animal materials rather than synthetic chemicals or hydrocarbons and petroleum-based ingredients. Biobased products range from adhesives and construction materials to paints and fuel additives.

There are a variety of reasons for producing and using green products. Biobased materials:

For additional information on the Northwest Ohio Green Products Center, please download our brochure.

What is the purpose of the Northwest Ohio Green Products Center website?

The purpose of this website is to provide a clearinghouse for information and expertise related to researching, developing, producing, marketing and buying green or biobased products.

You will find links to federal, state and local resources that introduce you to the available biobased programs, business opportunities and initiatives, as well as the procedures required to market your green product. Timely biobased product news, both regional and national, will be highlighted with regional producer and vendor green products experience.

Finally, the Northwest Ohio Green Products Center partner organizations contact information is provided to allow you to tap into regional and national green product business experience and expertise. To learn more about our partner organizations, click the organization logos below:

Northwest Ohio Green Products Center
5555 Airport Highway, Ste 100, Toledo, Ohio 43615-7320
419.724.8343       877.668.3472 (toll-free)
419.531.8465 (fax)
© 1995 - 2009 EISC, Inc.

What local business leaders are saying about the BioPreferred Program...

''Your conference was an excellent opportunity to learn about products and technology that we may have an interest in pursuing. Anything we can do to promote locally-owned businesses in Ohio is positive for all of us.''

Charlie Carr
The Andersons, Inc.


''Your program was very helpful for not only those who have a biobased product, but also those who are looking at future biobased opportunities.''

John Schauff
Spartan Chemical Co.


The U.S. goverment is the world's largest buyer of goods and services...

''Purchases by the military and civilian installations amount to nearly $400 billion a year. In 2006, USDA procured $4.8 million of that amount.''

Todd Repass
U.S. Department of Agriculture