Plastics Made from Corn-Based Polylactic Acid Set the Pace
Between 70 and 80 billion pounds of plastics are produced each year in the United States, mostly from "hydrocarbon" or petroleum-based feedstocks. We have the ability to produce much of that using renewable, carbohydrate-based feedstocks, such as corn in the form of polylactic acid. To do so would represent a significant market for U.S. corn and a significant benefit to U.S. consumers in reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil and the environmental impact of using petroleum-feedstocks in plastics production.

Construction of a new PLA plant is nearing completion in Blair, Nebraska. The Cargill Dow PLA polymer plant will be completed in 2002 and will have the capacity to produce 140,000 metric tons of PLA for a variety of uses from clothing to biodegradable plastic products. The plant will create a new market for producers in Nebraska and its neighboring states including Kansas.

More than PLA
Growers, through their checkoff dollars, support research of many new uses for corn. Chemicals based on glucose and other sugars derived from cornstarch, instead of petroleum, are a growing value-added industry for the corn grower. This area of research not only examines enhancing value opportunities for the grower, but also environmentally friendly alternatives to petrochemicals. This research has the capability to decrease the United States dependence on fossil fuels by stimulating the renewable resources industry.

Polyols
The polyols Propylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol and Glycerol are the targets of this developing technology. Everyday uses of these substances include anti-freeze, plastics, food products, and health care products.

1,3-Propanediol
This polymer is currently derived from a petroleum-based process and its market is ready to expand. This is a processing project set to increase energy efficiency and use the renewable resource corn as the feedstock.

Butanol
Dr. Michael Meagher at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, along with his research team, has developed a pervaporation membrane, which will separate butanol from a continuous fermentation system.

Extremophiles
This project is a screening process for novel organisms that can survive harsh conditions and create substances with industrial processing capabilities. These creatures are being used for their capabilities in the production of food and flavor ingredients, as well as remediation of contaminated soils, sediments, water and air.

For more information on research into these new uses for corn, visit the
Research Page at the NCGA web site.

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