New Uses. New Markets. New Demands.

Iowa Corn is a driving force in the advancement of corn-derived products, championing the use of corn far beyond its traditional role as a staple crop for feed and fuel. Recently, Iowa Corn’s strategic efforts have expanded into innovative territory, targeting emerging markets such as corn textiles and biomanufacturing.

Through participation in high-profile industry events, such as the Textile Exchange Conference, support for pioneering ventures like Qore and collaboration with advocacy bodies like the Plant Based Products Council (PBPC), Iowa Corn is shaping both commercial and legislative landscapes to grow demand for corn.

INNOVATIVE CORN TEXTILES

According to the Textile Exchange, today 69% of textiles are made from petroleum, and 59% of all textiles are made from a single petroleum-based, synthetic fiber: polyester. Natural fibers, such as cotton, silk and wool, do not dominate the industry with animal fibers making up only 1% and cotton making up 19%.

In 2022, Iowa Corn Promotion Board developed and sold its patents and technology to convert corn sugar into MEG (monoethylene glycol), a key building block for polyester. This innovation helped to grow interest in corn for textile production and expanded Iowa Corn’s involvement with brands and the textile value chain.

Since then, Iowa Corn has been engaged with the Textile Exchange through the Textile Exchange Conference, which brings together brands, farmers, manufacturers and suppliers that focus on sustainable solutions for the textile industry. Iowa Corn has attended three of these global conferences with Stan Nelson, a farmer from Des Moines County, participating in a 2024 panel at the Conference alongside wool and cotton farmers from around the world to discuss the history and future of regenerative corn production in Iowa.

QUORE BIOPRODUCTS UNLOCK NEW CORN USES

Iowa Corn has also supported demand for corn use in drivers closer to home. Qore, a chemical manufacturer in Eddyville, Iowa, utilizes corn sugar to produce BDO (1,4-butanediol), a drop-in replacement for petroleum-based BDO used to make spandex for athleisure wear and other products.

Iowa Corn had a leading presence at the Qore grand opening in July 2025 and plays a vital role in hosting and educating potential Qore customers, ranging from global brands to material processors. These farm visits provide firsthand exposure to the scalability and reliability of Iowa’s corn supply.

Steve Kuiper, a farmer from Marion County, hosted a farm tour that has been showcased in publications highlighting the partnership between The Lycra Company and Qore on the solution corn offers to the textile industry.

SUPPORT FOR THE BIOMANUFACTURING AND JOBS ACT AND AG BIO ACT

As the market for plant-based products grows, so does the need for enabling policies that foster innovation, scale and competitiveness. The PBPC is a national coalition advocating for the development and adoption of plant-based products; Iowa Corn and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) are both members of PBPC.

The Iowa Corn Growers Association and NCGA policy support PBPC’s mission to advocate for the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act, a federal legislative initiative aimed at strengthening the U.S. biomanufacturing sector, supporting R&D and creating new jobs in rural communities.

The Act will:

1. strengthen federal procurement of biobased products,
2. expand data collection to quantify the economic impact of biobased chemicals, and
3. ensure consumer confidence in biobased products.

The Ag BIO Act (Agricultural Biomanufacturing Opportunities for Innovation) is another important piece of legislation under consideration in the U.S. Congress. The Act is designed to create a supportive regulatory and funding environment for the expansion of made-in-America biobased chemical manufacturing and to compete directly with China.

Iowa Corn is committed to creating long-term opportunities for corn farmer profitability. Researching new corn-derived products and developing markets are key to our programs and the focus of our investments.

To learn more about Iowa Corn’s efforts in the new corn uses space, visit iowacorn.org/newuses.