[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 143 (Monday, September 9, 2019)]
[Senate]
[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.

                          ____________________