Corn is doing far more than filling grain bins and grocery shelves. According to the Corn Refiners Association, it is also helping make thousands of everyday products while creating new demand for U.S. farmers.
Spencer Chase, senior director of communications for the Corn Refiners Association and the Plant Based Products Council, said corn can be refined into products ranging from food ingredients and animal feed to industrial materials used in compostable dishware, automotive parts and even fireworks.
“We like to say that our members make hundreds of products with thousands of uses,” Chase said.
The refining process separates corn into its component parts, including starch, oil, protein and syrup. Those ingredients are then used in a wide variety of manufacturing applications depending on the needs of individual companies.
Consumer interest in plant-based products is helping fuel that growth. Chase cited industry research showing 71% of Americans are familiar with plant-based products, while 85% support their use. He added that 86% of consumers say they already purchase plant-based products and plan to continue doing so.
Chase said that demand creates additional market opportunities for corn growers while strengthening rural economies.
“Anytime you’ve got additional demand for the American corn crop, I think that’s a very good thing,” he said.
Because corn refining facilities are typically located near production agriculture, they provide nearby markets for farmers while supporting manufacturing jobs and local infrastructure in rural communities.
Rather than shipping grain long distances, many growers can deliver corn directly to nearby processing facilities, where it is transformed into ingredients used in products consumers encounter every day.
As companies continue developing new plant-based products, Chase said each new use for corn represents another opportunity to add value to the crop and expand demand for American farmers.
For consumers interested in learning more, Chase recommends visiting the Corn Refiners Association’s “Kernel of Innovation” website, which highlights the many products that contain corn-based ingredients.
