Local maker of organic oils rakes in $9.5M in venture funding
The round of financing was led by Indianapolis-based HG Ventures, which is the corporate venture arm of a major shareholder in Biosynthetic Technologies.
Environment
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Mexico says tariffs will send tomato prices soaring in U.S.
Mexico’s Economy Department said Tuesday that U.S. consumers could pay 38% to 70% more for tomatoes if the U.S. Commerce Department re-imposes anti-dumping duties on Mexican imports.
Indiana among 3 finalists for USDA divisions, but proposed location unknown
Indiana’s short-listed proposal—submitted by Purdue University and state officials—was one of 136 received by the USDA last year from 35 states. Relocating the two research divisions to Indiana could bring 570 federal jobs.
International joint venture planning $29.5M plant in Rushville, up to 250 jobs
The facility would process maize straw from as many as 150,000 acres of cornfields annually into a peat moss substitute for agriculture and foam products for material science uses.
Q&A: 120WaterAudit eyes big growth after pivot
Megan Glover started 120WaterAudit in 2016 with the idea of targeting residential consumers nationwide with a water-testing kit that cost $120 every four months. But the company has pivoted to work largely with municipal water utilities and governments.
Seed company Beck’s plans $62M expansion of Hamilton County HQ
The Atlanta-based company said the expansion would double its processing capacity and add 56 jobs over the next few years.
EPA reaffirms glyphosate safe for users as court cases grow
The Environmental Protection Agency reaffirmed Tuesday that a popular weed killer is safe for people, as legal claims mount from Americans who blame the herbicide for their cancer.
Ford faces U.S. criminal investigation of emissions testing
Ford confessed in February to having taken a flawed approach to using road-load specifications to simulate how aerodynamic drag and tire friction can affect the fuel economy of its vehicles outside testing labs.
Startup showcase growing in lockstep with agbioscience sector
AgriNovus Indiana’s Ag+Bio+Science Startup Showcase is growing faster than a corn stalk in June.
In its third year, the showcase attracted a record number of attendees, sponsors and participants for its pitch contest.
Hemp-production bill approved by General Assembly
Legislation that would increase hemp production in Indiana is on the way to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his approval.
Indiana regulators reject Vectren’s plan to build $780M gas plant
The utility had wanted to build the gas-fired plant to replace aging coal-burning units, but regulators said the plan was too risky and inflexible.
Indiana businessman Kip Tom confirmed as UN ag ambassador
The Kosciusko County farmer will be based in Rome representing the United States at the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. President Donald Trump nominated Tom for the position last year.
Turkey Run State Park added to National Register of Historic Places
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says the park northeast of Terre Haute was added to the national registry because of its cultural value to Indiana and its national history.
State electric plants pivoting away from coal
The industry is retiring coal-fired plants in favor of cheaper energy sources, including gas, solar and wind.
New system at Notre Dame turns food waste into energy
The university said the Grind2Energy system will reduce non-consumable food waste on campus by more than 2,000 pounds a day while contributing to the clean-energy needs of a local farm.
IndyGo’s new electric buses can’t go the distance
IndyGo says the electric buses it intends to use on the Red Line have been unable to run the 275 miles on a single charge that was promised by manufacturer BYD Ltd.
Report: Great Lakes region warming faster than rest of U.S.
The trend likely will bring more extreme storms while also degrading water quality, worsening erosion and posing tougher challenges for farming, scientists reported Thursday.
Indiana’s neighbor sees big surge in hemp sales
New annual sales figures solidify Kentucky’s reputation as a leader in the comeback of hemp, which was removed from the list of federally controlled substances in last year’s federal farm bill.
Q&A: What corporate responsibility is—and isn’t
IU Kelley School of Business professor Amrou Awaysheh says the term corporate social responsibility is often misunderstood. It’s not just philanthropy or volunteerism. It’s how companies treat their employees, how they interact with the environment, and the care they take with their supply chains.
Indiana fish farm clears regulatory hurdle for genetically modified salmon
U.S. regulators on Friday gave the green light to salmon genetically modified to grow about twice as fast as normal, but the company behind it may face legal challenges before the fish can be sold domestically.