ASU Research Helped Sway Plant On Jonesboro

That's according to ASU Chancellor Robert Potts, who says the university's Arkansas Biosciences Institute proved to be an important selling point to Nice-Pak.

Nice-Pak is looking at creating new packaging for their products that doesn't use petroleum-based materials. The company can save money and show dedication to the environment by doing so.

Using non-petroleum-based products would also provide additional uses for agricultural products.

The cellulosic research at the institute last month attracted a $360,000 grant from Bentonville-based Wal-Mart. That money provided a match to a $1.5 million federal grant.

Potts says Nice-Pak officials are interested in collaborating with the institute on the research.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)