Homegrown BioBased Still Booking Biz Based on Tech

Operating out of a new facility in South Fayetteville, BioBased scientists are developing sustainable products that are used around the country.

The BioBased Family of Companies develops and markets natural oil-based Agrol polyols and polyurethane foam insulation products to replace petroleum-based products.

The company, which formed in 2003 and relocated to Northwest Arkansas in 2005, moved into its new corporate headquarters on Oct. 15.

The 30,000-SF building on Cato Springs Road consolidates the technical and administrative offices for BioBased Technologies, BioBased Systems and BioBased Insulation from three locations into one.

The company retained its original headquarters on North 13th Street in Rogers and now uses the building as a mixing and storage facility.

Mike Muccio, Chief Operating Officer of Biobased Insulation, said the new Fayetteville location allows all of the companies to operate under one roof and provides more laboratory space.

The company was previously leasing lab space from the University of Arkansas and had a third administrative location in Fayetteville.

“The biggest advantage is that we have collaboration from all of our scientists,” he said.

The headquarters’ proximity to University of Arkansas campus is also an advantage.

“We’ve always aspired to work with the University so it’s a lot more practical to be here,” Muccio said. “We’re just down the street from the Arkansas Research and Technology Park, which I think is going to improve collaboration with the U of A.”

Muccio said he sees the new headquarters as the first of what could be several buildings on the 20-acre campus as other “clean technology” companies look to relocate to the area and create a network of sustainable industries.

The building itself was designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards by using high efficiency lighting, natural prairie grass for landscaping and, of course, BioBased insulation products.

BioBased purchased the 20 acres from the city of Fayetteville in 2005 for $940,000 and reused the land that was once the location of the city’s water and sewer maintenance center.

Since moving operations into the new facility, BioBased has seen a decline in business from customers in the automotive and construction industries.

“Those sectors have taken hard hits,” Muccio said.

BioBased Insulation products can be used in residential and commercial structures. The soy-based polyols are also used by the automobile industry to make head and arm rests.

While business is down with existing customers in those industries, Muccio said the company has been able to seek out new distributors for the products and generate interest in other sectors.

In October, Biobased Insulation launched Soy Seal, canned insulating foam made out of a soy-based product.

The product, which seals gaps and cracks in order to reduce energy loss, is available in The Home Depot stores in the northeast and north central regions of the country and locally at Meek’s.

By replacing petroleum, the products have a significant environmental benefit while reducing energy costs.

“That’s becoming evermore important to folks,” Muccio said.