I knew I had to set up a chat with Katie Southern, a bonafide Ag InnovatHER, the moment I learned about the plastic alternative she formulated using watermelon crop waste—yes, watermelon! That product is the first brainchild of AgroRenew, a Vincennes, Indiana-based bioplastics company Katie runs alongside her husband, CEO Brian Southern.
Together, they are transforming actual trash—watermelon crop waste—into a better bottom line for their local agribusiness community. In June, AgroRenew broke ground on a facility to produce these 100% biodegradable plastic pellets, expanding the scale of bioplastic production to an unprecedented pace.
Her success story reminds us that some of our world’s big problems often have sweet solutions.
Made in the Midwest
Katie’s journey starts in Greenwood, Indiana, a suburb about 20 minutes south of Indianapolis. Like many Americans, she consumes agricultural products but has never been involved in production. However, after learning her story, I’d assert that Katie is actually the daughter of a farmer.
“As silly as it sounds, my connection to agriculture is my dad,” Katie explains. “He transformed our backyard into his private garden. He grew all sorts of Chinese vegetables for our family and our family restaurant and sold the surplus to local Chinese markets. I never helped out. That was his little “me time” side project. It’s funny, my siblings and I hated the garden growing up because we really wanted a pool, you know? But no, there was a garden instead. And then now, as we’re all growing up, having our own homes, we’re all starting to cultivate our own gardens, and we’re big houseplant people. I guess that’s where our green thumb came from, unknowingly.”
When she was applying for college, Katie found herself intrigued by the possibilities of food science.
“I mentioned my family has a restaurant, so I’ve always been surrounded by food,” she said. “Food is very much a love language for me, an act of service, and that’s how you show your love and care about someone — making food for them. So, I’ve always been balancing this creative aspect of cooking, baking, and then these very core competencies of math and science. When we discovered food science was a major at Purdue, we looked into it, and it was the perfect fit.”
Her curiosity and willingness to explore new opportunities paved the way for her to join forces later in life with Brian Southern, her husband and the CEO of AgroRenew, to create “an elegant solution” to a series of modern problems.
Why Watermelon?
While it’s not the only achievement in AgroRenew’s short history so far (wait until you hear about AgroRenew’s in-facility childcare center!), the company’s most impressive feat is Brian and Katie’s groundbreaking work turning watermelon waste into 100% biodegradable plastic. So, how exactly do they do it?
And, of all biosources, how did they land on watermelon? Let’s dive into the exciting science and innovation driving AgroRenew’s mission.
The Backstory
The idea for AgroRenew began with Brian, who, in addition to his work, serves as a local business advisor with the Economic Small Business Development Group in Evansville. At the Pantheon, their local co-work space, a group of business professionals and farmers was discussing regional watermelon growing and the desire to find creative ways to repurpose crop waste to increase revenue.
Watermelon is a beloved summer produce staple. However, producing Grade A watermelons presents unique challenges for growers—especially in Knox County, Ind., one of the leading watermelon-producing places in the U.S. It’s really a numbers game. Typically, only 25% of all watermelons grown actually make it to supermarket shelves. This naturally leads to a significant amount of waste in the form of rinds and unsellable fruit. The rest is often left to rot in the field or transferred to a landfill at the farmer’s expense.
Brian and Katie saw an opportunity here. Instead of letting this waste go to landfills, why not repurpose it into something valuable and environmentally friendly? But what product would they make? At first, Katie pitched food products like watermelon juice or watermelon kimchi. (Now, I’m craving Pickled Watermelon Rind However, Brian wanted to make something that could utilize non-Grade A melons as well as rotting fruit. He started digging into the chemical composition of watermelons and saw some similarities with starch and its applications in the bioplastics industry.
The Science: Breaking Down A Series of Big Problems
At the heart of AgroRenew’s innovation is the process of extracting valuable compounds from watermelon waste. Watermelon rinds are rich in cellulose and other organic polymers, which can be converted into bioplastics. Here’s an overview of the process:
“So, as a scientist, it’s my job to study the chemical composition of produce, and I have a background in formulating,” Katie says. “We’re mainly talking about watermelons, but we will expand to any bio source or agricultural-based product in the future. Each product has its own unique chemical composition, so we’ll analyze that. So, looking at the chemical makeup of something, combining ingredients, and making a blended product for plastic products– and the formulation will depend on the finished product itself. So, imagine how the formulation would change if you want a flexible grocery bag material versus a hard plastic. The different end uses of the plastic will dictate the formulation. The quantities we use of watermelons, corn stoves, or other types of starches are a formulation.”
What sets AgroRenew apart from other bioplastic companies is the scale of their operation. In June, they broke ground on a purpose-built plant to manufacture their bioplastic pellets. When it’s completed sometime in 2025, they will be able to produce, in a matter of hours, the same volume of bioplastic material that any current bioplastics company is currently producing in an entire year.
An Elegant Solution to Modern Problems
AgroRenew’s goal was NOT to create bioplastics. They had a local problem with crop waste. However, with the end materials in-hand from the beginning, they were able to create a “win, win, win” solution that also addresses our need for biodegradable plastic and puts more money in the pockets of farmers in their local economy. Their co-op, comprised of local watermelon producers, sets the price AgroRenew pays.
“When you consider farming as a business, that 25% yield is astronomically low and can’t be economically feasible,” she said. “So, we’re buying 75% of their product at a marginal cost that the farmer’s co-op agrees to — and part of that price agreement is, it’s around the same price as the farmers would pay someone to go pick up those melons, so they don’t decompose in their field. It is cost-effective because they would have to pay someone to remove the melons. But on the flip side, that same money they would pay out, they’re getting that return because of that buyback price.”
This novel idea is an elegant solution to many complex issues: local crop waste, which reduces agriculture emissions and landfill usage; creating a new, 100% biodegradable plastic alternative to address the plastic pollution crisis; and, the cherry on top? It allows their co-op of watermelon growers to set the price for the fruit (that 75% that was once a loss)– and avoid the input costs of having it removed! Win-win-WIN!
Food Production For the Future
AgroRenew’s work is a shining example of how innovative thinking and scientific ingenuity can address some of the most pressing environmental challenges. By turning something as seemingly insignificant as watermelon waste into biodegradable plastic, AgroRenew is paving the way for a more sustainable future. However, their journey is far from over. Really, watermelon is just the beginning!
When I met Katie, I also got a chance to chat with AgroRenew’s Chief Transformation Officer, Jessica Ell. (You will learn more about Jessica very soon!) She added:
“We were talking about where this started; it started from a discussion of a problem,” Jessica said. “And if there are others—because the products are going to expand and evolve, and watermelon is not the only bio source that we use, right? And the demand for plastic is so outrageous that we can’t possibly meet it at all. As we go looking for other types of bio sources that can become plastic, that will be part of our growth going forward. If anyone is interested in staying connected with what we are doing, we have a company interest list and an e-mail list that they can join on our website and follow along as we evolve and grow to different products. And, if there is a problem, want to hear it — because that’s where new solutions and ideas come from.”
“Yes, that’s a great plug!” Katie added. “Send us your problems!”
Who knew that rotten watermelon rinds could hold the key to a greener, cleaner planet? It’s a testament to the power of creativity and the endless possibilities that arise when we look at waste not as a burden but as an opportunity.
Stay tuned as AgroRenew continues to innovate and inspire, turning agricultural waste into eco-friendly solutions and setting new standards for sustainability. Have any questions or thoughts about this incredible journey? Share them in the comments below!
20 Questions with AgroRenew Chief Science Officer Katie L. Southern
1. What is your favorite fruit or vegetable? (Or favorite food, in general.)
I don’t have an all-time favorite fruit or veggie. It depends on the season and my mood. For now, it is INDIANA sweet corn. I’m a Hoosier through and through. An elusive fruit I haven’t had in quite some time is a Wax Apple. It is native to Asia.
2. What is your favorite recipe?
I don’t have an all-time favorite either, but a recipe I’ve come to master is one pan meal of braised chicken, carrots, and orzo pasta. I can make this recipe with my eyes closed.
3. You’re making chili: Beans or NO beans?
Of course, beans, but no mac. That is one Indiana food trend I can’t stand behind.
4. What’s your go-to item or wardrobe staple?
I don’t leave the house without my Shiseido sunscreen stick. This thing is amazing. You can glide it over makeup, and it won’t smudge at all. It leaves a slightly dewy finish—think “glowing.” I will be purchasing more so I can have them in multiple locations. I do the same with my ChapStick…
5. What are three items/products you can’t live without?
Burts Bees original chapstick, insulated water bottle, and my cats.
6. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
I press snooze…
7. Coffee, Tea, or something else?
Tea. I’m a big fan of jasmine and oolong.
8. What is your guilty pleasure? (It can be anything!)
I have zero shame in sharing my love for McDonald’s!
9. What’s your favorite book (or) movie (or) record (or) podcast?
Any musical — I can watch them over and over again. Lately, Mamma Mia has been on repeat.
10. What is your favorite holiday? Do you associate any family traditions related to it you’d like to share?
I love Christmastime! It’s the season for giving and letting people know how much you appreciate them. A treasured family tradition is going to Shapiro’s delicatessen on Christmas Eve. All the children at my church participate in a Christmas Eve service. With many restaurants closed for the holiday, instead of dirtying the kitchen, my family goes to Shapiro’s every Christmas Eve.
11. Who is a person you admire from history, living or dead?
Amelia Earhart. She was a trailblazer of her time, being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She motivated women to pursue their careers and supported the Equal Rights Amendment.
12. Who is a person you admire in your personal life?
I have so much admiration for my parents. They immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in the 1980s. They arrived poor and did not know the language. They persevered and made their American dreams come true.
13. Who is the first person you think to call when something good happens?
My husband, Brian. He may not share the same enthusiasm, but he gets updated nonetheless.
14. If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you’d buy with the winnings?
Get a lawyer on retainer. The first fun thing is to take my family on a Disney World VIP tour.
15. What’s something at the top of your Bucket List?
To fly first class on an international flight.
16. Where is the most amazing place you’ve ever traveled?
Vancouver, Canada, has a big city appeal, mountains, and forests, and it is by the water.
17. What would you choose if a genie granted you one wish or superpower?
I would love to be able to teleport. I’m a traveler who needs to get out more. Teleporting cuts down on tedious downtime.
18. What is your best quality or hidden talent?
I scuba dive!
19. What is something new you are currently learning (or) want to learn more about?
I’m getting my MBA and currently learning about project management
20. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Asking questions keeps your mind active and strong. You’ll be more receptive to new ideas and open to new worlds and possibilities.
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