If corn were to displace all petro-based ethylene with corn sugar-based ethylene for plastics such as water bottles and plastic bags, the market potential could be 10 billion bushels. The added bonus? Corn-based plastics are renewable and sustainable!
Corn and renewable plastics
The National Corn Growers Association has a vested interest in discovering new uses for corn. One area of opportunity is renewable plastics.
Did you know, if corn were to displace all petro-based ethylene with corn sugars-based ethylene for plastics such as water bottles and plastic bags, the market potential could be 10 billion bushels?
Today, biomaterials account for less than 1% of plastics produced annually.
Why is corn the right solution for plastics and packaging? According to January 2021 U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Feed Outlook data, 38.7% of corn is used for animal feed, 26.6% for fuel ethanol, 17.5% for exports and 17.2% FSI (feed, seed, industrial).
NCGA works hard to develop new uses for corn through various programs because not only do we have surplus remaining, corn is also sustainable, abundant and affordable.
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