Levulinic acid and levulinate esters are a class of compounds readily derived from cellulose, hemi-cellulose, or starch feedstocks. The discovery of highly selective ketalization of alkyl levulinates has enabled the development of novel levulinic ketal ester building blocks, a bio-based alternative to petroleum-derived chemicals. In addition to reducing fossil fuel demand, greenhouse gas emissions, and toxicity concerns, levulinic ketal esters bring desirable performance features to a number of industrial and consumer applications. For example, Segetis has used the levulinic ketal platform to develop efficient non-phthalate plasticizers that migrate less than existing materials, and solvents with broad solubility and efficient coupling characteristics. In fact, levulinate ketals bring unique value to applications ranging from solvents, lubricants and plasticizers to polyols, thermosets, and thermoplastics. This talk will describe these unique properties and performance attributes of levulinic ketals, particularly in comparison to traditional petroleum-based incumbents.