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[Page S5358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING BIOLOGIQ
Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, It is easy for me to brag about
Idaho's small businesses because they are consistently making national
news for their innovative ideas. Just last month, the Office of
Advocacy announced Idaho ranked third in the Nation for the fastest
growth of small businesses, creating jobs and economic opportunity
across the State in 2018. Globally, Idaho is renowned for our ``Famous
Idaho Potatoes,'' and recently, Idahoans have begun using their vast
knowledge of the potato to innovate. As a result, new market-altering
products are emerging, such as BioLogiQ, Inc.'s sustainable bioplastic
resin. As a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small
Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my pleasure to recognize BioLogiQ,
Inc., as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for September 2019.
BioLogiQ of Idaho Falls was founded in 2011 by an Idaho native, Brad
LaPray. Like so many Idahoans, LaPray spent a lot of his youth playing
and working outdoors and developed a passion for nature and the
agriculture industry. He moved away for a while and developed an
interest in bioplastics, but eventually came back home to Idaho where
he saw an opportunity to use his interest in bioplastics and his
passion for the agriculture industry to create a business. LaPray
understood that a percentage of all potatoes is turned into starch and
not used for human consumption. His company, BioLogiQ, uses excess
potato starch to create a sustainable bioplastic resin.
LaPray created BioLogiQ to provide people with environmentally
friendly plastic products made from renewable resources and reduce
plastic waste globally. As stated on their company's website,
``BioLogiQ, Inc. is a plant-based manufacturer focused on bringing
sustainable packaging solutions to brand owners, retailers, and the
plastics industry. Using its proprietary process, BioLogiQ's makes a
low moisture content plasticized starch resin pellet called NuPlastiQ.
We make NuPlastiQ in pellet form so plastic product manufacturers can
use them like other traditional plastic resin pellets using their
standard production equipment. BioLogiQ's NuPlastiQ pellets are
designed to be blended with conventional petroleum-resin pellets to
make BioBlends that increase the sustainability of all plastic
products.'' NuPlastiQ technology makes it possible to reduce the
thickness of plastic bags and is most widely seen in TaterMade Bags at
retailers such as Walmart and Sam's Club.
Through their hard work, expertise, and desire to make a difference,
BioLogiQ is now an industry-leading sustainable bioplastic resin
provider. BioLogiQ is reshaping the bioplastic market, and I have full
faith they will continue to be successful. I would like to extend my
sincerest congratulations to Brad LaPray and all of the employees at
BioLogiQ, Inc., for being selected as the Idaho Small Business of the
Month for September 2019. You make our great State proud, and I look
forward to watching your continued growth and success.
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