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.

Corn Next is thrilled to announce that we are now officially entered into the prestigious Onboard Hospitality Award spotlighting our range of cutlery, tableware, and drinking straws in the “Ones to Watch” category. This news is thrilling as it reflects the dedication we've poured into refining our products to a level where they are truly valued. Our products are recognized for their “exceptional quality, high innovation, and impressive durability” according to the Onboard Hospitality Awards website.

The Onboard Hospitality Magazine is commemorating a decade of honoring innovations in the hospitality industry and presenting esteemed awards to spotlight products and innovations. They recognize the importance of suppliers and their central roles in improving the onboard experience, which is why we're excited to be part of the 2024 award entries. Our objective is to challenge the negative impact of plastic consumption in the hospitality industry and promote a healthier environment for generations to come with our breakthrough material, CornNext-17.

Corn Next is delighted to have an opportunity to be awarded the Onboard Hospitality Award and we invite you to support our entries by voting for them through this link. Your support in voting for our products would be immensely appreciated as it would provide us with valuable opportunities to promote awareness of our material. We are excited to showcase our dedication to excellence in onboard hospitality and look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to providing exceptional experiences for travelers with our eco-friendly products.

Traditional biodegradable single-use products, such as PLA and paper-based alternatives, may not be as environmentally friendly as commonly perceived.

PLA, or Polylactic Acid products, require an exceptionally long time to decompose, especially if they end up in landfills, where many of them inevitably do. In such conditions, they can persist for hundreds of years, similar to conventional plastics. Moreover, the necessary facilities for successful biodegradation are often lacking, leading to a buildup of PLA in landfills or the natural environment, rather than recycling or decomposition.

In contrast to natural biomass, which enriches the soil with nutrients during decomposition, PLA adds little value and can even increase soil acidity due to the lactide formed during the breakdown of lactic acid. Even when properly sent to composting facilities, the U.S. recycling rate for PLA was only 5%-6% in 2022, leaving most of these products in the wild or landfills, causing harm to the environment.

But what about paper products? There are a couple of significant concerns to consider:

Firstly, "forever chemicals" known as PFAS, or Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are used in paper products. These human-made chemicals, resistant to grease, oil, water, and heat, can accumulate in the environment for extended periods, posing long-term exposure risks. PFAS can bioaccumulate in organisms, including humans, as they move up the food chain. Even minimal PFAS exposure can lead to higher concentrations in the body over time, potentially causing health issues.

Additionally, there's the issue of deforestation. In Europe, paper products like straws and plates are not considered eco-friendly due to their use of PFAS, the depletion of trees, and their significant carbon footprint impact.

Corn Next's CornNext-17 addresses and eliminates all these concerns. Its natural degradability allows it to break down completely without any intervention in any environment, often within just 30 days. This is in stark contrast to PLA products, which could take hundreds of years to decompose if left untouched. CornNext-17 leaves no harmful chemicals behind, unlike the "forever chemicals" found in paper products.

CornNext-17 truly represents a game-changer in sustainable materials, and it's just the beginning of our efforts to protect the planet. We're excited to share more about our environmentally friendly solutions with you.

CornNext-17 by Corn Next is a next-generation sustainable material that is revolutionizing the landscape of eco-friendly materials.

One of the key distinguishing features of this material is its remarkable capability for achieving complete natural degradation. But what exactly is natural degradation, and how does it differ from traditional bio-degradation?

Bio-degradation, a term many are familiar with, refers to the process where organic materials break down through the action of microorganisms, often aided by methods like composting and bioremediation. While numerous single-use biodegradable products are available in the market, they come with complexities. They often necessitate intricate and costly recycling processes. Moreover, when left in natural habitats, these products can pose environmental risks, similar to conventional plastic-based PLA products.

In stark contrast, natural degradation represents a revolutionary advancement. This process allows organic materials to spontaneously break down without any human intervention, leaving zero harmful chemicals in the environment. Unlike biodegradable products, materials undergoing natural degradation eliminate the need for recycling altogether. They decompose independently, requiring no external influence.

Whether in bustling urban environments or serene natural settings, a naturally degradable marvel like CN2017 showcases its prowess. In as little as 30 days, it can be fully degraded, offering a significant advantage over its biodegradable counterparts.

Herein lies the most significant advantage of Corn Next's CornNext-17 products: their ability to undergo full natural degradation.

These products not only leave no harmful traces behind but also significantly reduce the demand for manpower and resources. Unlike biodegradable options that necessitate external intervention, CornNext-17 exemplifies a self-sustaining solution—a closed-loop system that represents the future of eco-friendly materials.

With Corn Next, the path to a greener, cleaner world is not just a vision but a tangible reality. There is much more to discover about this groundbreaking material, and we eagerly anticipate sharing it with you in the near future.

Plastic has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives, but its omnipresence comes at a cost—both for the environment and our health. A recent study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology* has brought to light concerning findings.

Researchers scrutinized 34 commonplace plastic products crafted from eight different types of plastic to unravel the prevalence of toxicity. Astonishingly, 74 percent of these products exhibited some form of toxicity, challenging the prevailing notion that plastic items are inherently safe.

The intricate concoction of chemical additives within plastic products raises little surprise about their association with adverse health effects. One notorious example is Bisphenol A (BPA), commonly found in plastic water bottles and food containers. BPA, known for its hormone-mimicking properties, has raised alarms due to its potential to disrupt the endocrine system, contributing to health issues like reproductive disorders, obesity, and certain cancers.

Another commonly employed chemical, Phthalate, serves to enhance the flexibility and durability of plastic. Regrettably, it also disrupts the endocrine system, with links to developmental and reproductive abnormalities, particularly in children.

The evidence is clear—we need to pivot away from plastic as a material. Beyond its environmental havoc, it poses tangible threats to our well-being. The urgency for an alternative, a material both harmless and truly sustainable, has never been more apparent. Fortunately, we believe we've found the solution.

*Zimmermann, L., Dierkes, G., Ternes, T. A., Völker, C., & Wagner, M. (2019). Benchmarking the In Vitro Toxicity and Chemical Composition of Plastic Consumer Products. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(19), 11467-11477. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b02293

Paper straws have become a popular choice as an environmentally friendly replacement for plastic straws, but there are some potential health concerns associated with them. Although the goal of using paper straws is to reduce the environmental impact, certain aspects of their production and use may pose risks to human health. 

One of the main issues with paper straws is the possibility of chemical contamination. During the manufacturing process, the process of breaking down wood pulp into paper involves the use of chemicals, and if not properly managed, these residues could find their way into the final product. The same goes for various chemicals such as bleaching agents and dyes used to achieve the desired appearance and texture for the paper straws.

The structural integrity of paper straws will be compromised when they come into contact with liquids for an extended period, leading to a soggy and disintegrating straw. Residual traces of these chemicals then can leach into beverages, consumed by the customer, leading to chemical exposure. Of course, as the paper straws break down into smaller pieces, bits of them could also be ingested by consumers, causing further damage.

There’s also much to mention when it comes to whether or not paper straws are considered environmentally friendly, as the production requires cutting down trees. But there’s a topic for another time.

While the shift towards environmentally friendly alternatives is commendable, it is necessary to examine the potential health impacts of these alternatives. As the demand for options grows, addressing the associated health impacts becomes crucial to ensure that our efforts to protect the environment do not compromise human health.

CORN NEXT proudly participated in the Plastic Waste Free World Conference & Expo in Cologne, Germany last month. The introduction of our groundbreaking next-gen sustainable material CornNext-17 was a spotlight of the event. It signifies CORN NEXT’s entry into the European region.

The response from the event attendees was extraordinary. CornNext-17 resonated with the conference’s environmentally conscious attendees with its ability to 100% naturally degrade without leaving any harmful chemicals. The positive reception furthers our confidence in pioneering the mission of a plastic waste-free world.

Throughout the conference, we talked with various certification partners to ensure the quality and sustainability of our products. Our Chief Scientist, Professor Chen Gang, took the stage at the conference’s tech forum. He provided a comprehensive overview of CornNext-17’s development and application, highlighting how our material sets us apart in a market flooded with alternatives.

This event signifies CORN NEXT’s strategic first step in the European market. We are more than thrilled about the positive reception and look forward to fostering collaborations that will solidify CORN NEXT as a leader in sustainable solutions.

Check out our video documenting this significant step. We’re excited to see what the future holds.

Last month at the Plastic Waste Free World Conference & Expo in Cologne, Germany, our Chief Scientist, Professor Chen Gang, provided a comprehensive overview of the advancements in our fourth-generation CornNext-17. This latest iteration is the result of years of dedicated effort, and we were thrilled to present the CN2017 product line during the expo.

The fourth-generation CornNext-17 boasts remarkable durability, maintaining its form for over two hours in regular-temperature liquid. Noteworthy improvements in flexibility and expandability have been incorporated into the product. CornNext-17 is easier to produce than ever before and presents a potential breakthrough in the realm of 3D printing.

CornNext-17 removes the need for recycling and industrial composting. With its ability to naturally degrade while leaving no harmful chemicals behind, it offers a practical solution to the plastic waste problem. This development assumes a pivotal role in our mission to combat plastic pollution, eradicate white pollution, and reduce carbon emissions.

Looking ahead, CORN NEXT envisions expanding the scope of CornNext-17 materials into other applications. The product range will diversify from utensil products to packaging boxes and more.

With the ongoing commitment of CORN NEXT, we continue to play an increasingly crucial role in environmental protection and safeguarding our planet.

Polylactic Acid (PLA) products are frequently touted as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics. However, there's a critical caveat: these materials are not as benign as they may appear, particularly when they find their way into our oceans.

PLA products do indeed break down in the ocean, but the repercussions are far from benign. As PLA degrades, it generates microscopic particles known as microplastics. These tiny fragments are ingested by marine life, ranging from sardines to whales, leading to health problems and disrupting the marine food chain. Over time, the accumulating toxins find their way into humans who consume seafood, affecting us as well.

The harmful consequences don't end there. Microplastic ingestion leads to a slew of issues for marine creatures, including inhibited growth and development, feeding and behavioral difficulties. Such microplastic accumulation wreaks havoc on ocean biodiversity, creating a severe imbalance that will only worsen if we persist in using such products.

The term "biodegradable" should not be misconstrued as immediate disappearance. In fact, PLA can take years to fully decompose, continuing to contaminate our oceans and harm marine life throughout that period. The idea that these products are entirely harmless is a misconception.

Nevertheless, there is cause for optimism. Corn Next's CornNext-17 sets itself apart. Unlike other products, CornNext-17 breaks down entirely in as little as 30 days in the ocean, leaving no detrimental traces behind. No microplastics, no harm to marine life, and consequently, no harm to us humans.

It is imperative to grasp the distinction between CornNext-17 and conventional biodegradable products available in the market. The rate at which they decompose and whether or not they leave harmful residue are pivotal factors when making informed consumer choices.

Call to Action: Choose wisely for a cleaner, healthier ocean ecosystem. Discover the difference with CornNext-17 today.