In an age where climate change headlines dominate and consumers are increasingly mindful of their choices, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a demand. Retailers and wholesalers are adapting swiftly to this shift, as Millennials and Gen Z drive the global push toward eco-conscious living. At Corn Next, we’ve seen firsthand how aligning with sustainability resonates with these influential demographics. Let’s explore how eco-friendly products like ours not only benefit the planet but also help businesses thrive.

The Rise of Eco-Conscious Consumers

Millennials and Gen Z make up the largest consumer groups in today’s market, with a combined purchasing power that continues to grow. What sets these groups apart is their emphasis on values-driven spending. According to Nielsen, 75% of Millennials and 72% of Gen Z are willing to pay more for sustainable products. These generations prioritize brands that reflect their values, from environmental responsibility to ethical sourcing.

For retailers and wholesalers, this isn’t just an opportunity; it’s a call to action. Stocking products that align with sustainability goals doesn’t only attract these customers but it also builds loyalty and drives long-term growth.

In the battle against plastic pollution, bioplastics have often been heralded as a better alternative to traditional plastics made from petroleum. But, as with most things in life, the solution is rarely as simple as it first appears. In reality, while bioplastics certainly offer advantages over their plastic counterparts, they don’t always fulfill the promises of sustainability. Enter CornNext-17, a revolutionary material that takes eco-friendliness to the next level. But how exactly does CornNext-17 stack up against bio-plastics, and why is it the next-generation solution we need to solve the plastic crisis?

The Promise and Limitations of Traditional Bio-Plastics

Bio-plastics are derived from renewable plant-based materials such as corn, sugarcane, and even algae, which make them a step in the right direction from traditional plastics. While they may seem like the perfect solution to replace harmful petroleum-based plastics, bio-plastics still have significant drawbacks.

The Degradation Dilemma

One of the key issues with traditional bio-plastics is their degradation process. While bio-plastics are often marketed as “biodegradable,” many still require industrial composting facilities to break down properly. And even in these facilities, they often take months or even years to degrade. This means that, in the real world—where industrial composting facilities are not available in every community—these materials might not break down as quickly as we need them to. Instead, they may end up in landfills, rivers, or oceans, contributing to pollution and microplastics in our ecosystems.

In the early days of human civilization, we used materials given by nature to create life: stone flakes were polished into knives, bamboo was cut into tubes, and wood was carved into spoons. It was an era of using nature as tools and coexisting harmoniously with nature. The combination of human wisdom and natural materials provided what was needed for life and reserved space for the environment.

With the advancement of technology, metal was born, and tools became hard and sharp; after the Industrial Revolution, plastic came into being, and it dominated the human production system with extremely low cost and extremely high strength. We no longer cut bamboo tubes or carve wood into spoons, but use plastic to replicate these tools exactly.

However, the convenience of plastic comes at the cost of eternity.

It does not rot and is not easy to degrade, bringing unprecedented environmental disasters and health crises. Even the so-called bioplastics such as PLA and PHA, which are labeled as "environmentally friendly", are still essentially derived from the logic of industrial design: stabilizing molecular structure in exchange for "perfect user experience", but leaving a long-term decomposition problem in nature.

What if your straw didn’t just help you sip your drink — but made it taste better and helped the planet at the same time?

Meet Corn Next Flavored Straws — a bold, delicious leap into the future of eco-friendly sipping. Whether you’re a water fanatic, a lemonade lover, or just someone who wants their iced tea to pop with a little extra zing, these straws deliver both flavor and sustainability in every sip. Let’s dive into why Corn Next Flavored Straws are changing the way we drink — and why you’ll want to stock up ASAP.

Irvine, CA. January 10, 2025 – Corn Next has announced the launch of the CornNext-17 White Paper, a detailed report highlighting the revolutionary features of this innovative material, its potential to replace traditional plastics, and its role in supporting global sustainability initiatives.

CornNext-17 is not just another plastic alternative; it is a groundbreaking bio-based material derived from renewable corn starch through a patented fermentation process. What sets it apart is its unique ability to decompose naturally within 30 days, leaving no harmful residues behind. Unlike traditional plastics or bio-plastics such as PLA and PHA, CornNext-17 retains its natural polysaccharide structure, offering a combination of rapid biodegradability and exceptional mechanical performance.

“CornNext-17 represents a significant leap forward in sustainable materials,” said Randy Yongzhong Zhang, Founder and CEO of Corn Next. “We are proud to offer a solution that addresses the urgent need for environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastics. The development of CornNext-17 is guided by our vision to revolutionize how materials are used and discarded. As a fully natural, biodegradable innovation, it marks not just a breakthrough in material science but a significant milestone in humanity’s pursuit of a greener, more sustainable future.”

What makes CornNext-17 truly remarkable are its unique characteristics:

• Fully Biodegradable: Naturally decomposes within 30 days without requiring special facilities or leaving harmful residues.

• Eco-Friendly: Made from renewable resources, free from harmful chemicals, and entirely natural.

• Versatile Applications: Suitable for transformative solutions across industries, including packaging, consumer goods, agriculture, healthcare, automotive, and electronics.

• Cost-Effective Production: Manufactured through an efficient process that ensures competitive pricing while maintaining high quality.

• High Performance: Offers excellent strength, flexibility, and heat resistance, making it a reliable choice for diverse applications.

Plastic waste remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with over 400 million tons of plastic produced annually and only a small percentage recycled. CornNext-17 provides a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics with its unique composition and rapid biodegradability. By reducing reliance on petrochemical-based plastics, CornNext-17 paves the way for a cleaner, healthier planet.

Corn Next is committed to advancing the applications of CornNext-17 through ongoing research and development. The company is actively seeking partnerships with industry leaders, investors, and government agencies to drive the widespread adoption of this groundbreaking material. Together, we can accelerate the global shift toward sustainability.

For those interested in the science and potential of CornNext-17, Corn Next has published a comprehensive White Paper detailing its features and applications. Download it today at https://www.cornnext.com/cornnext-17 by clicking “Learn More.”

At Corn Next, we're not just minimizing our ecological footprint; we're positively impacting the planet!

How are we doing that? Well as a material science company we’ve created a line of products made out of a revolutionary material CornNext-17. This material is an industry game-changer, made from three natural ingredients– cornstarch, water, and natural enzymes, CornNext-17 is 100% plastic-free with no fillers or resin. It also possesses the ability to degrade in any environment in 90 days or less! Whether it ends up on the ground or in the ocean, our products will degrade naturally and not hurt any wildlife compared to traditional plastic products. If our products were to end up in the ocean, they would become food for sea life as they naturally break down in the ocean. Remember, fish are friends! 

Scientists estimate that 7.5 million plastic straws pollute the U.S. coastline alone, and between 437 million and 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute coastlines around the world. There needs to be a way to change this. That is why Corn Next set out to not only make a groundbreaking material, but a product line derived from it. Our straw product line has four sizes: cocktail, standard, milkshake, and wide-mouthed straws. With our straws, we can drastically lower the billions of plastic straws that wash up on beautiful coasts around the world. If our straws happen to end up in our oceans accidentally, they will not pollute the coasts, rather, they will feed our fish friends. 

How do Corn Next products work? Our Corn Next straw products can last between two and three hours in any cold beverage while maintaining their functionality. Over time our straws may act like the inflatable tube men you’d see in front of car dealerships! Because they are made from natural materials they bend slightly or warp while in the cup after hours of use, but they will always serve their intended purposes. The straws perform best when being used in room temperature and ice cold drinks rather than hot beverages. Use caution if you want to test your superhuman strength to bend or break the straw because when the straw breaks, the shards and edges may be sharp. Therefore, adults with children must monitor their child’s use of the straw so they may continue enjoying their soda or milkshake. 

Why aren’t Corn Next straws flexible like your classic straws? Corn Next products don't have any chemicals or additives like plastic straws have, which give them the ability to bend and be flexible. Our straws are simply natural and better because they do not harm the environment compared and are free of PLA, Resins, Toxins, and Plastics. Other straw alternatives may be created out of recyclable or other materials such as paper and agave straws, but they may not be everything they seem. In order to recycle some of these products it can be difficult, especially if they contain PLA because products that contain PLA have to be sorted and recycled under specific conditions which not every recycling facility is capable of doing. Studies have shown that PFAS chemicals, which are harmful to humans, can be found on everyday items such as outdoor clothing and nonstick pans, and were found in straws made of paper, bamboo, plastic, and glass. Even some agave straws have traces of plastic in order to keep their shape and feel almost like a plastic straw. Because Corn Next’s straws are made out of CornNext-17, all of these concerns do not exist, allowing you to enjoy our products carefree while being environmentally safe. Since our straws can degrade in any environment, it zeros out the recycling cost. Whether it ends up in a landfill or on the street, it will degrade into nothing in 90 days or less, which means no stress or worries for you as a straw-user. 

What is CornNext-17? CornNext-17 is a material made from three simple and natural ingredients; Corn Starch, Water, and Natural Enzymes. There are no chemicals or unwanted additives in CornNext-17 making it a safer option than traditional plastics. Our goal is to pioneer the future of plastic-free products with a sustainable foundation that can replace most single-use plastic products on the market. That is why this year we are launching our cutlery, sauce cups, and powdered scoops, all made from our material CornNext-17. In the coming years, we plan to further innovate our material so it may be used for packaging purposes and more so the war against plastic can finally be won!

Corn Next has announced today that it has earned the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product Label for CORN NEXT.

Corn Next can now display a unique USDA label that highlights its percentage of biobased content. Third-party verification for a product's biobased content is administered through the USDA BioPreferred® Program, which strives to increase the development, purchase, and use of biobased products.

Biobased products help address climate change by offering renewable alternatives to petroleum-based products; sequester carbon dioxide, lowering the concentration of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere that contribute to climate change; create and expand markets; are generally safer for people and the environment than their petroleum-based counterparts; and represent incredible technological advances and innovations.

The USDA Certified Biobased Product Label displays a product's biobased content, which is the portion of a product that comes from a renewable source, such as plant, animal, marine, or forestry feedstocks. Utilizing renewable biobased materials displaces the need for non-renewable petroleum-based chemicals. Biobased products are cost-comparative, readily available, and perform as well as or better than their conventional counterparts.

"We applaud Corn Next for earning the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label," said Vernell Thompson, USDA BioPreferred Program. "The label is intended to help spur economic development, create new jobs, and provide new markets for farm commodities. But the label also makes it easier for consumers and federal buyers to locate biobased products and consider planet-friendlier options during purchase decisions. By having their products become USDA Certified Biobased, Corn Next joins an expanding list of businesses combatting inaccurate marketing claims and the practice of greenwashing, while also contributing to a thriving bioeconomy that decreases our reliance on petroleum."

In the latest Economic Impact Report released by USDA, the biobased products industry supported 4.6 million American jobs; contributed $470 billion to the U.S. economy and generated 2.79 jobs in other sectors of the economy for every biobased job. Biobased products also have a substantial environmental impact, displacing about 9.4 million barrels of oil a year, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 12.7 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents per year.

About Corn Next:

Corn Next is a pioneering materials science company with a profound commitment to cultivating a healthier planet by replacing single-use plastics. After 6 years of intensive research, Corn Next has created a revolutionary new corn-based material, CornNext-17, that is 100% naturally degradable. CornNext-17 is 100% free of Plastic, PLA and Resin, and naturally degrades in any environment without releasing toxic substances. It also eliminates the reliance of costly recycling and industrial composting methods.

Corn Next aspires to remain dedicated in its efforts to continue innovating and manufacturing its patented solution that will replace plastic with negative carbon emissions.

About the USDA BioPreferred Program

With the goal of increasing the development, purchase, and use of biobased products, USDA's BioPreferred® Program was first introduced in the 2002 Farm Bill and reauthorized in 2018. It requires federal agencies and contractors to give purchasing preference to biobased products. The USDA BioPreferred Program also includes a voluntary certification and labeling initiative for biobased products. This is referred to as the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label.

More than 1,800 companies across the U.S. and in 47 countries participate in the Program. From farm and field all the way through the manufacturing process, the expanding market for biobased products creates jobs, supports rural economic growth in America, and has a positive impact on our planet. Have questions? Please contact: Vernell Thompson, USDA BioPreferred Program at Vernell.Thompson@usda.gov

It's no secret that single-use plastic products are a major contributor to one of the world's most pervasive environmental issues. Plastic's inability to biodegrade is just one facet of the problem. What many people don't realize is that the financial and logistical costs of recycling plastic are considerably higher than commonly perceived. This challenge extends to PLA products as well, as certain recycling limitations make them less eco-friendly than they might seem.

Misconceptions about PLA's biodegradability have led to a lower recycling rate for this material. Marketed as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics, many consumers believe that since PLA is biodegradable, it automatically qualifies as environmentally friendly, regardless of its disposal method. Unfortunately, this often results in improper disposal practices. Rather than directing used PLA products to appropriate recycling channels, they often end up in landfills where they do not efficiently biodegrade.

A major obstacle to achieving a higher PLA recycling rate is the limited infrastructure available for processing this specific bioplastic. PLA recycling facilities are few and far between. This means that even when customers are willing to recycle PLA products, they may struggle to find accessible recycling centers.

Economics also play a pivotal role in the low recycling rate of PLA. The recycling process for PLA can be more expensive than producing new PLA or using traditional plastics. This cost hinders businesses from investing in recycling, resulting in the continued production and disposal of single-use PLA products, which ultimately harm the environment by ending up in landfills and natural ecosystems.

In conclusion, given these challenges and limitations, achieving a 100% PLA recycling rate remains an unattainable goal. It can only mitigate but not eliminate the harm caused. With CornNext-17, we believe we have discovered a solution that addresses all of these problems. CornNext-17 can break down in as little as 30 days and can degrade in any environment, leaving behind no harmful chemicals. This is a significant step towards a greener Earth, making CornNext-17 a zero-cost recycling solution.

Join the movement for a sustainable future. Explore the benefits of CornNext-17 today and be part of the solution.