Corn is nature’s renewable building block and plays a role every day in our lives. It’s a versatile resource that can be used for just about everything – from making our food taste better and our cosmetics last longer, to making our packaging more environmentally friendly and our medicines easier to swallow.

The kernel of innovation is everywhere – including in our office! Explore all the products corn is in below:


Chewing Gum

Mannitol, a low-calorie sweetener, prevents chewing gum from sticking to the wrapper.

Cardboard Tubes

Paper towel and toilet paper tubes are glued into shape with a cornstarch adhesive called dextrin.

3D Printing

As this new technology evolves, scientists are testing a wide range of injectable polymers, many of which contain cornstarch.

Cattle Feed Supplements

Concentrated nutrients in water from the corn wet milling process add protein, energy and phosphorus to feed.

Antibiotics

Microorganisms that create antibodies are often fed corn-based glucose in the lab. Corn is responsible for more than 85 antibiotics, including penicillin.

Cat Food

Lysine is an essential amino acid for bone formation and growth as well as a healthy brain – especially for growing kittens.

Chewy Candy with a Crunchy Shell

Dextrin in pan coated confections keeps the candy shell attached to the soft center.

Better Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is crunchier and healthier when the batter includes resistant dextrin, a cornstarch that cuts oil uptake, while keeping the meat moist.

Biomedical Nanotechnology

Due to the unique size, shape and structure of the corn protein zein at the nanoparticle level, scientists are studying how it can deliver drugs that fight cancer.

Cardboard Box Manufacture

Starch-based glues bond corrugated boxboard and other paper layers together for strength and durability.

Baby Care Powder

Cornstarch is safer than talc for babies and can be added to the diaper area to protect skin from moisture.

BBQ Briquettes

Starch keeps charcoal briquettes firm and intact, especially during transportation and storage.