The University of Kansas received a $5.6 million grant from the USDA to develop technologies that convert biomass into chemicals currently derived from petroleum. The KU research team, led by Dr. Bala Subramaniam, will work with Archer Daniels Midland Co. to develop catalytic processes allowing biorefineries to produce bio-based chemicals from non-food crops and agricultural waste that can replace petrochemicals in common products. This has the potential to reduce US dependency on oil and support rural economic growth through the establishment of a biorefinery industry in Kansas and beyond.