Millions of bushels of corn are rapidly replacing millions of barrels of oil in fuel, plastics, solvents and cleaners—signaling the evolution from a petroleum-based economy to a carbohydrate-based economy. Research and improved refining are uncovering new ways to convert the various components of corn into renewable, high-value products that are changing the face of manufacturing and industry. As the demand for oil increases, the world’s ability to produce an abundant and renewable supply of corn-based fuel, plastics and fibers signals a new age of innovation based on sustainability.

Creating esters from corn Corn checkoff funds are supporting research on reactive distillation, a new process that can produce chemicals of high purity from complex product streams within a production plant. The process has several advantages over conventional separation technologies—and could result in ethanol plants being able to produce esters, a class of chemicals used for making products such as solvents and plastics. The lower capital cost of reactive distillation means that smaller, grower-owned processing facilities can employ this technology—enhancing profitability while diversifying risk and using more corn. Even better corn for a hungry world Biotechnology isn’t just about growing more corn. It’s also about growing corn that’s even more nutritious for humans and livestock. Vitamin C and vitamin E are now derived from corn—and economical lysine from corn now helps supplement livestock feed. The world population is projected to reach eight billion by 2030. The number of farmers in the United States continues to decline—and there is greater pressure on corn acres as urban sprawl encroaches on what once was agricultural land. With the potential of drought-resistant corn hybrids and corn with pharmaceutical characteristics, it’s clear that solutions to major challenges in health, hunger and nutrition are growing in the world’s cornfields.