Corn Next has launched CornNext-17, a biobased material aimed at addressing the issue of plastic pollution.

Drawn from renewable corn starch, CornNext-17 leverages a patented fermentation process and has rapid decomposition capabilities.

According to the company, CornNext-17 serves as a sustainable solution that retains the natural polysaccharide structure of corn starch, allowing for complete biodegradation within 30 days in natural settings.

The company also claimed that its material maintains the necessary mechanical properties for a broad spectrum of uses, from packaging to consumer goods and industrial components.

CornNext-17 serves as an alternative to conventional plastics and bioplastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA).

The product comes with the potential to ‘transform’ various industries, encouraging them to shift towards more sustainable materials.

The CornNext-17 White Paper, released alongside the product launch, provides an in-depth look at the material’s characteristics.

Biotech company Corn Next has released CornNext-17, a corn starch-based material made through a natural fermentation process. It can be used to make biodegradable packaging such as straws, table ware and single-use food containers.

The biobased material is USDA and BPI certified and breaks down in 30 days in natural environments without the need for additional equipment, said David Xu, the company’s fractional CFO. It does not contain PFAS and “can even be eaten by birds. And if it’s mingled with water, it can be used as a food for fish,” he said.

The company plans to move its home base and operations to Decatur, Illinois, this year. Corn Next first launched in China and its operations are still there, but its holding company is currently based in Irvine, California.