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1、ABio-PlasticsRevivalMakesGainsatCargill Company:CargillIncAuthor:PU2PUEditorPublished:Apr20,2007 ThehugeCargillInc.biorefineryhereturns60millionbushelsofcornayearintoatorrentofsweetenersandethanol.Nowthegiantfacility--whoseoverheadpipessnakebetween50-foot-tall
2、tanksandmetalbuildingsoverasquaremile--isalsocrankingoutwhatcouldbethenextbigthinginfarming:anewgenerationofrenewablechemicals.Althoughmostpetroleum-basedchemicalsremainsubstantiallycheaper,highoilpriceshavebolsteredtheeconomicrationaleformakingplastics,foaman
3、dlubricantsfromplantsgrownintheMidwest.Soybeansandcornareshowingupincarpets,disposablecups,saladbags,AstroTurf,candles,lipstick,socks,surfboards,coolingfluidinutilitytransformers,andeventhebodypanelsofDeere&Co.harvestingcombines.Therehasalsobeengrowingdemandfr
4、omretailgiantslikeWal-MartStoresInc.,newlysensitivetoenvironmentalpressure,forpackagingmadefromrenewableplastic.Cargill,thecloselyheldMinneapolisfoodingredientsgiant,hasvisionsofmakingbillionsofpoundsofso-calledrenewablechemicalsannuallyfromcornandsoybeans."We
5、havethewilltotakeonthechemicalcompaniesontheirownturf,"saysYusufWazirzada,themanagerofCargill'ssoy-basedurethanepolyolsbusiness.Thediversionofyetmorefarmproductstowardtheenergyandindustrialsectorscouldstretchdemandandsendcommoditypricesskyhigh.Otherproblemsrem
6、ain:Formanymanufacturers,adjustingequipmenttouserenewablechemicalsmadebyCargillandothersiscost-prohibitive.Still,theuseoffarmproductstoreplaceplasticsandothergoodsisgeneratingbuzzinfarmcircles,wheremanyplayersareeagertodiversifybeyondfoodandethanol.Atthesameti
7、me,thereappeartobemarketreasonsforamovetocorn-basedchemicals,especiallyasahedgeagainstuncertaintiesintheoilmarket.HickorySpringsManufacturingCo.isreplacingsomeofthepetrochemicalsitusestomanufacturepolyurethanefoamwithaCargillsoybeancompound.TheHickory,N.C.,foa
8、mmakerturnedtoCargillafteritschemicalssuppliersboostedpricesabout50%inthewakeofHurricaneKatrina."Wenowrealizethatineverydaylifewehavetonotdependonpetrochemicals,"saysBobbyW.Bush,aH
