BIOMATERIALS: SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS FOR HEALTHCARE INNOVATION


Biomaterials are reshaping how medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and packaging are developed - advancing sustainability while improving clinical performance. Nebraska is positioned to lead in the shift from petroleum-based materials to renewable, bio-derived alternatives.

WHAT WE'RE ADVANCING

  • Bio-based polymers for medical devices and packaging
  • Sustainable chemical inputs derived from ethanol and other renewable feedstocks
  • Next-generation materials that improve biocompatibility, safety, and clinical outcomes
  • Cross-industry applications spanning pharmaceuticals, devices, and healthcare infrastructure


WHY NEBRASKA / WHY EDGE

  • Biofuel Leadership: Nebraska is a national leader in ethanol production, enabling renewable chemical feedstocks.
  • Research Strength: NU System research in pharmacology, material science, and biomanufacturing.
  • Strategic Location: Central U.S. logistics hub for distribution, manufacturing, and scale-up.


DISTRICT OPPORTUNITIES

  • Co-develop and test new biomaterials with clinicians, scientists, and industry experts
  • Collaborate with ethanol producers and biomanufacturers to scale sustainable inputs
  • Co-locate R&D, pilot production, and commercialization within a connected innovation district