NCGA to host special session on new uses for corn In Mid-May, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) will host a special session of the Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC) focused on funding for research, development and commercialization of new uses for corn. This special session will bring together a panel of experts from both the public and private sectors to discuss funding across the research spectrum from beginning level to financing new capital at existing facilities. This free online event is scheduled for 11-12:30 Eastern Time on Thursday, May 13.
The Indiana Corn Marketing Council is among the program’s sponsors. Indiana farmers are encouraged to attend to learn more about corn new uses and the funding mechanisms necessary to get a new corn products and technologies to market. “One of the key aspects of CUTC is to build a community of researchers and other stakeholders who are focused on new technology,” said Randy DeSutter, chair of the NCGA Sustainable Ag Research Action Team. “COVID limited our ability to bring this group together, so this session is a
Consider Corn . . . continued from page 25 ability to efficiently produce, it is clear that corn can not only meet the needs of existing markets but can enable exciting new markets for renewable materials. We are excited to continue working with BETO and other government agencies to lay the groundwork and develop a solid foundation for future markets for corn.” BETO works to develop industrially relevant technologies to enable domestically produced biofuels and bioproducts. “We really appreciate the time that the senior leadership at DOE took to discuss policy with us, and we are looking forward to seeing new research focused on corn renewable chemicals,” said Dan Wesely, Chair of the NCGA Market Development Action Team. The timing of this announcement is important because it
means those looking for funding opportunities through BETO’s Plastics Innovations Challenge can use corn as a base for recycling technologies in the manufacture of new plastics. “One of the primary areas of potential is in bioplastics,” McKay added. “Now, BETO is able to use corn grain for agency funding and testing in national laboratories. Corn is an abundant, affordable, sustainably produced product, making it a competitive crop to use for bioplastics and other bioproducts.” An example of a product that could now be developed to use corn grain as an industrial feedstock ingredient is singleuse plastics such as water bottles and plastic bags. Learn more about corn as an industrial feedstock and NCGA’s initiatives around new uses at ncga.com/newuses
The three winners of the Consider Corn Challenge II were ExoPolymer, based out of San Carlos, Calif., Sumatra Biorenewables from Ames, Iowa, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Peoria, Ill. At the awards presentation, from left, are Dan Wesely, chair of the NCGA Market Development Action Team; Gordon Selling, USDA ARS; Nacu Hernandez, Sumatra Biorenewables; Derek Wells, ExoPolymer; and NCGA Vice President of Market Development Jim Bauman.
26
INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST
