Introduction: The Underdog’s Vision in Agriculture
“Though free to think and act, we are held together, like the stars in the firmament, with ties inseparable. These ties
cannot be seen, but we can feel them.”
~Nikola Tesla
In the late 19th century, Nikola Tesla, an underdog against Thomas Edison’s entrenched empire, envisioned a
world powered by alternating current—an invisible force connecting homes and cities. While Edison’s visible
filaments lit up parlors, Tesla’s radical ideas faced skepticism but ultimately transformed energy. Edison had the
patents, investors, and public image; Tesla had only vision and persistence.
Today, the sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) stands at a similar crossroads, its potential overshadowed by a
conventional, root-centric focus on sucrose-rich roots. Much like Tesla’s unseen current, the plant’s overlooked
leaves and residues contain transformative potential, waiting to be tapped into for food, fuel, and materials.
It is here that the Community BioRefinery (CBR) emerges. Guided by CEO and co-founder Scott Hewitt, who
reminds us to “use everything – waste nothing,” and CTO Vincent R. James, PhD, who leads the technical
execution, CBR embodies Tesla’s underdog spirit in agriculture. Together, they envision a paradigm shift: whole
plant valorization that reimagines the sugar beet not as a one-note sugar crop but as a multi-output engine for
nutrition, renewable energy, and rural prosperity.
Historical Context and Current Production of the Sugar Beet
The sugarbeet’s rise began in the late 18th century, catalyzed by Napoleon’s 1806 Continental Blockade, which
cut Europe off from Caribbean cane sugar. Forced innovation birthed beet sugar, which by the mid-19th century
had spread globally (Biancardi, Panella, & Lewellen, 2012). Today, sugar beets contribute 20–30% of global sugar,
producing 250–280 million tons annually (European Commission, 2023).
In the United States, beets supply over half of domestic sugar—an estimated 5.18 million short tons raw value
in 2025/26 (56% of supply) (USDA ERS, 2025). Minnesota and North Dakota’s Red River Valley leads with nearly
half of national output, followed by Michigan, Idaho, Nebraska, and Wyoming (American Sugar Beet Growers
Association, 2025).
The Scale of Underutilized Biomass
Traditional processing, focused only on sucrose extraction, discards 30–40% of the plant—leaves and tops—
equivalent to 70–100 million tons globally and 25–30 million tons annually in the U.S. alone (Tenorio, Gieteling,
& de Jong, 2016; USDA ERS, 2025). Most of this biomass is plowed back into soil, fed to livestock, or simply wasted.
If processed through Community BioRefinery (CBR) valorization hubs, even 25% of this currently wasted U.S.
biomass could yield:
- 500,000+ metric tons of high-purity plant protein isolate (>90% RuBisCO and associated proteins);
- 400,000+ tons of nutraceutical and phytochemical extracts, including polyphenols, chlorophylls, and
betaine; - Biofuels, electricity, and bioplastics from residues, replacing millions of barrels of fossil-based inputs.
This would elevate the sugar beet from a $20B sugar crop into a $100B+ whole-plant economy, multiplying
farmer returns and regional GDP contributions.
Nutritional and Biochemical Treasures in Beet Leaves
Sugarbeet leaves, too often treated as waste, are a biochemical powerhouse. With 15–25% protein by dry
weight, they are dominated by RuBisCO, the most abundant protein on Earth. RuBisCO offers a complete amino
acid profile and high digestibility, rivaling whey and surpassing pea and soy (DIAAS >100) (Tenorio et al., 2016;
WUR, 2024).
Beyond protein, beet greens contain: - Polyphenols: Gallic, ferulic, and caffeic acids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Cejas
et al., 2021). Global nutraceutical polyphenol market valued at $1.5B in 2024, growing at 6.4% CAGR
(Food Processing, 2024). - Chlorophylls: Antioxidants with anticancer applications in photodynamic therapy (Senge et al., 2014).
Global chlorophyll market ~$430M (Taylor & Francis, 2023). - Betaine: Supports cardiovascular and liver health (Craig, 2004). Betaine market projected $4.5B by
2030 at 5.8% CAGR (T1D Exchange, 2023). - Minerals: Magnesium, potassium, and iron fortification markets add billions in functional food
revenues.
If even 10% of U.S. sugarbeet leaves were valorized through CBR, they could generate over $3B annually in
nutraceutical and phytochemical products, while simultaneously delivering sustainable proteins to food
companies seeking alternatives to soy and pea.
Globally, pioneers like Cosun Beet in the Netherlands have begun extracting RuBisCO, but mostly at pilot scale
(Cosun, 2024). The U.S. opportunity—with CBR’s patented scalable technology—remains immense and largely
untapped.
Technological Breakthroughs in Community BioRefinery Valorization
CBR, like Tesla against Edison, is proving the impossible possible. Its USDA-co-patented process yields true plant
protein isolates at >90% purity—far beyond pea or soy concentrates (50–70%) in taste, solubility, and nutrition
(USDA, 2023; Pelgrom et al., 2015). This neutral, versatile protein targets a global plant protein market expected
to grow 50% by 2050 (FAO, 2022).
CBR’s platform extends further: - Proteins/Nutraceuticals from leaves;
- Bio-Acetone (renewable solvent) and Bio-Butanol (energy-dense fuel, precursor to Alcohol-to-Jet SAF);
- Multi-fuel cell electricity from bio-butanol, ethanol, hydrogen, and biomass;
- Bioplastics (PLA and PHA) from residues.
Unlike centralized mega-plants, CBR’s 1–2 MW hubs deploy rapidly, resist cyberattacks, and power
communities—hospitals, first responders, and farmers—during crises (CBR, 2025). CTO Vincent James plays the
role of Tesla’s engineer—proving what others dismissed as “impossible” can scale.
Visualizing the Shift: From Root-Centric to Whole-Plant Economy
Traditional Root-Centric Model - Roots (Sugar): 60% (For traditional sugar processing)
- Leaves:
- Residues:
30% (Waste/Feed)
10% (Byproducts) - Waste: 40% underutilized
Community BioRefinery Valorization Model - Roots (Sugar): 60% (CBR will not redirect the current use of the sugar beet; however, CBR is capable
of using sugars to produce significant biofuels and hydrogen) - Leaves:
- Residues:
- Waste: 0%
Benefits:
30% (Proteins/Nutraceuticals)
10% (Fuels/Bioplastics) - Farmer incomes: Increase 15–25% through CBR diversified outputs.
- Job creation: 1–2 jobs per 1,000 tons processed (IRENA, 2024).
- Regional growth: Red River Valley (MN/ND), Michigan, Idaho, Nebraska, Wyoming poised to lead.
American Made Advantage
Europe has piloted partial valorization (Cosun in the Netherlands, Tereos in France), but only the U.S. combines
production scale with CBR’s patented process. Here, CTO Vincent James leads deployment of U.S.-based
innovations that ensure sovereignty in proteins, fuels, and biomaterials.
By leveraging domestic feedstocks, CBR reduces dependence on imported proteins and petrochemicals while
revitalizing American rural economies. This positions the U.S. to lead a $100B+ bioeconomy, powered by
homegrown crops and innovation.
Conclusion: The Underdog’s Triumph
Like Tesla defying Edison’s dominance, CBR challenges agriculture’s giants, proving that overlooked sugarbeet
leaves and residues can fuel a bioeconomy. By valorizing the whole plant—roots for sugar, leaves for proteins
and nutraceuticals, residues for fuels and plastics—CBR embodies Scott Hewitt’s vision to “use everything –
waste nothing.” Further, the good news is that the CBR process can accomplish the same results with virtually
any crop.
For policymakers and accredited investors, the choice is clear: support the underdog that can make America a
leader in food, fuel, and materials. Just as Tesla’s AC current powered the 20th century, the sugarbeet, through
the Community BioRefinery, can power the 21st century. Tesla’s unseen current lit the world. The sugarbeet’s
unseen leaves and residues can do the same—if we have the foresight to back the underdog now.
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