Corny Kicks

In Corny News, New Products, New Uses, Sustainability by Cathryn

Some of the most reputable brands in the United States have realized the renewable, sustainable wonder that is corn. Now, Reebok is trying to harness the green-power of the crop to increase the biodegradability of its product too. This week, sources, including the New York Post, announced that Reebok will begin making sneaker soles from corn as a part of …

Making Momomers From #Corn

In Audio, CUTC, New Uses by Cindy

Got corn? Then you can make some amazing things. For example, attendees at the Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC16) that took place in St. Louis this week learned about making new momomers for corn? Say what? Let’s get some insight from biomaterial expert Michael Saltzberg who is the business director for DuPont Industrial Biosciences’ biomaterials business. Saltzberg spoke on …

#Biobased in Focus at #CUTC16

In Audio, CUTC, New Uses by Cindy

Biobased was a hot topic at this year’s Corn Utilization Technology Conference (#CUTC16) and one person on hand who knows a lot about the emerging technologies in this space is Nathan Danielson with Biocognito. The company is a small consulting firm that counsels businesses working to bring new technologies to the biomaterials space. He said that many of his clients …

Optimism Expressed at Open of 2016 CUTC

In agribusiness, Audio, CUTC, New Uses by Chuck

In light of a lot of negativism directed toward farming today the opening speakers for the 2016 Corn Utilization Technology Conference (CUTC) were very optimistic in their outlook. Welcoming us to the 10th CUTC was Chris Novak, CEO, National Corn Growers Association. New technologies have allowed corn farmers to produce so much corn that a surplus was created. That has …

The Corn Utilization Technology Conference is Underway

In Audio, CUTC, New Uses, Sustainability by Chuck

Attendance at the 2016 Corn Utilization Technology Conference is higher than two years ago. The Chair of the committee for this year’s conference is Gene Fox, Cargill. I talked with him about the program this year. By the way, this is the 10th CUTC which continues the 20 year tradition of presenting the latest research on corn technology. Gene has …

Have a Little Corn with Your Beer

In Corny News, New Products, New Uses by Cindy

Plato is quoted as saying “He was a wise man who invented beer.” With craft beers all the rage now, a wise brewery is taking a second look at corn as a main ingredient. Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick, Maryland calls its new brew Agave Cerveza. Our latest Brewhouse Rarities release, Agave Cerveza, is the artisanal answer to the easy-drinking, …

Get a Bang out of New Corn Use

In Audio, Education, New Uses by Cindy

Here’s a new use for corn that you can really get a bang out of. A team of Purdue University students have created a fireworks casing from corn which won the top prize for corn in the school’s annual Student Soybean and Corn Innovation Contests, sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council. Taking first place in …

Using the KFC - Kernel For Cellulosic

In Ethanol, New Uses, Research by Cindy

Researchers at the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) may have found the kernel’s secret recipe for making cellulosic ethanol, recently announcing the successful production of ethanol from the cellulosic portion of the corn kernel. “This research is demonstrated proof of the viability of ‘generation 2.0 ethanol,’” NCERC Director John Caupert said. “By utilizing existing technologies readily available in the commercial …

Right Time for Corn

In New Products, New Uses by Cindy

It never fails to amaze me how many products can be made from corn. Take this watch, for example. It is made by Sprout Watches which offers a line of eco-friendly watches that contain corn resin and bamboo. The watches come in multiple colors, each with a different earth-themed design. The corn resin is used as a component of the …

Making Both Ethanol and Biodiesel From Corn

In Ethanol, New Products, New Uses by Cindy

Voilà (pronounced vwah-lah, of course) is a French term that literally means “See there!” - used in English to call attention to or express satisfaction over something. As in, “Take an ethanol plant, add corn, and voilà! - you have ethanol and high quality corn oil that can be used for biodiesel production.” That’s what POET has been doing with …