News

Bioeconomy U: How the University of Illinois is leading the next Industrial Revolution

The U of I is quickly becoming a national leader in this space, combining agriculture, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence to power sustainable innovation. Photo: Metro Services


URBANA, Ill. — From medicine to fuel to laundry detergent, many everyday items now come from the bioeconomy — industries that rely on living organisms and natural processes to make products. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is quickly becoming a national leader in this space, combining agriculture, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence to power sustainable innovation.

This month, the campus hosted global experts for events including Biofoundry Week and the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment’s 2025 Congress. The spotlight is on Illinois for good reason: its researchers are developing AI-driven labs, microbe-based herbicides, organic solar panels, and sustainable aviation fuels from crops like miscanthus.

As just a few examples, U. of I. researchers and industry partners are

Federal policy has helped accelerate this shift. A 2022 executive order and a 2025 bipartisan commission report both called for rapid bio-based innovation to secure U.S. supply chains and economic independence. Illinois, with its agricultural strength and research depth, is uniquely positioned to lead.

Major initiatives like the Department of Energy-funded CABBI are turning crops into fuels and chemicals while creating scalable, climate-smart systems. At the same time, student training and public-private partnerships are preparing a skilled workforce and launching startups.

Illinois’ land-grant legacy, combined with cutting-edge science and industry collaboration, is fueling the next generation of the bioeconomy — right here in the Midwest.

Recent Headlines

4 hours ago in Entertainment

Beloved ‘Reading Rainbow’ returns after nearly 20 years with new host Mychal Threets

After nearly 20 years, the beloved, long-running children's series "Reading Rainbow" is back, this time on the KidZuko YouTube channel.

4 hours ago in Entertainment

Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner sue Ray J for defamation over racketeering claims

Kim Kardashian and her mother, Kris Jenner, are suing her ex-boyfriend Ray J for saying they are under federal investigation and on the verge of being indicted.

11 hours ago in National, Trending

Trump uses government shutdown to dole out firings and punishment

President Donald Trump has seized on the government shutdown as an opportunity to reshape the federal workforce and punish detractors, by threatening mass firings of workers and suggesting "irreversible" cuts to programs important to Democrats.

11 hours ago in National, Trending

Delta jets have a ‘low-speed collision’ on LaGuardia taxiway, injuring 1

Two Delta Air Lines regional jets collided on the taxiway at LaGuardia Airport in New York, injuring a flight attendant, damaging a cockpit and tearing off part of a wing in what the airline described as a "low-speed collision."

11 hours ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Gatorade and Cheetos are among the Pepsi products getting a natural dye makeover

PepsiCo, which also makes Doritos, Cap'n Crunch cereal, Funyuns and Mountain Dew, announced in April that it would accelerate a planned shift to using natural colors in its foods and beverages.