In FY 2009, the Critical Agricultural Materials Program will support the development and demonstration of novel, environmentally friendly technologies for use in paints and coatings, and adhesives for composites.

The program will also support and give priority to proposals that include a life

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cycle analysis objective, comparing the biobased product with a fossil-based counterpart using the Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability model (BEES) developed by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/software/bees/bees_USDA.html ).

This model measures the environmental impact of every stage in the life cycle of a product, and is currently being used by USDA for the Biopreferred Program (http://www.biopreferred.gov) CSREES anticipates that projects supported by the Critical Agricultural Materials Program will result in products, specifically paints, coatings and adhesives that can help federal agencies, state entities and companies meet their environmental goals.

CSREES also anticipates that the BEES model will help identify gaps in product development that warrant further research in the functional and environmental performance of the product(s).