Technical Abstract: Much progress has been achieved in developing starch-based feedstocks as a partial replacement for petroleum-based feedstocks. Although starch remains a poor direct substitute for plastics, composite starch-based materials have useful functional properties and are in commercial production as a replacement for single-use plastic food service containers. In recent years, starch has developed an even greater role as a fermentation feedstock. Ethanol and polylactic acid are the two most important starch fermentation products developed for replacing petroleum fuel and plastics. Further growth of starch-based fermentation products is likely as new fermentation processes and products are identified and commercially developed. The utilization of other agricultural fermentation feedstocks such as plant biomass will be important to meet ever growing demands for fuels and products and help prevent diverting too much starch or other food resources into industrial products and will also help reduce overdependence on petroleum feedstocks.