AAIC (association for the advancement of industrial crops)

Industrial crops are defined as crops not-specifically used for food or feed applications. These plants provide raw materials and products such as starch, oils, fibers, energy, active ingredients, secondary metabolites, and rubber that are used by different industries.

The Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops is an international, nonprofit educational and scientific organization established to encourage and promote the activities on industrial crops and derived products.

The annual AAIC meeting is usually organized in the USA, and until now only two time was held in Europe. The annual AAIC meeting will represent the perfect venue for general public, industries, and policy makers to meet scientists covering different fields of expertise, such as: agronomy, breeding, processing, engineering, etc. of industrial products from agricultural crops.

The AAIC 2020 entitled “Industrial crops and products unlocking the potential of bioeconomy” will take place in Bologna from 5th to 9th September 2021 at the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL – Viale G. Fanin 44, 40137 Bologna).

The AAIC meeting topics will be the following 5:

Fiber and Cellulosic Crops: The scope of the division is to conduct research and/or develop procedures/techniques/final end-products associated with utilizing fiber and cellulosic crops in support of varied industries. Examples of investigated crops under this division are: Kenaf, Switchgrass, Hemp, Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), Flax, Sisal, Jute, Bamboo, Hesperaloe, Ramie, Nettle, but also biomass residuals (bagasses, stovers, waste streams from agricultural processing facilities)

Medicinal & Nutraceutical Plants: The goal of the division is to promote research and development activities in medicinal and nutraceutical crops to support various industries. Medicinal plants are defined as those plants containing phytochemicals, secondary metabolites, or primary metabolites that have a medicinal action in humans and animals. Examples of investigated crops under this division are: Aloe (Aloe vera), Amaranth, Borage, Calendula, Chia, Coriander, Echinacea, Mint, Fennel, Stevia, Evening primrose, Ginseng, Rosmary, Sesame, Plantago, any type of herbs sourcing essential oil, etc.

Natural Rubber and Resins: The scope of the division is to conduct research and development in support of industrial natural rubber and resin-producing crops. The members of the division work in various disciplines, including germplasm development, cultivation and agronomic practices, and industrial processing technologies. Examples of investigated crops under this division are: Guayule, Russian/Kazakh Dandelion, Hevea, Chinese Elm, Lettuce, etc.

Oilseeds: The scope of the division is to conduct research and development in support of industrial oilseed crops. The members of the division work in various disciplines, including germplasm development, genetic engineering, cultivation and agronomic practices, and industrial processing technologies. Many industrial oilseed crops currently grown throughout the worldwide are used to produce various bio-based products such as lubricants, adhesives, components of plastics, degradable inks, paint additives, and detergent surfactants. Examples of investigated crops under this division are: Camelina, Cuphea, Canola, Rapeseed, Crambe, Carinata, Castor, Lesquerella, Jojoba, Mustard, Pennycress, Flax, Cottonseed, Peanut, Moringa, Meadowfoam, Safflower, Cardoon, Sunflower, Indian mustard, etc.

General Crops and Products: The general crops and products division includes production research as well as the developing of procedures/techniques associated with utilizing these crops in support of varied industries including the biofuel industry. The general crops and products division includes diverse crop species such as cover crops, pulse crops, pseudocereals, and forage or biomass crops used for bioenergy. Also includes the use of agricultural residues for bio-products development. Examples of investigated crops under this division are: Sweet sorghum and forage sorghum, Alternative pulse crops, Cover crops, Pseudocereals, Milkweed, Milk thistle, Reed canary grass, Miscanthus, Giant Reed, Switchgrass, Pearl millet, Guar, Okra, Cardoon, Cup Plant, Short Rotation Forestry, etc.

Chair of the Meeting
Federica Zanetti