Clothing from corn: corn-based polymer can be used for fiber to make clothes, plastics

摘要

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA/www.ncga.com) and Cargill Dow (www.cargilldow.com) have partnered to research a cornderived substance called polylactide (PLA), which can be used for a number of non-traditional uses, such as fibers to makeclothing and plastics. The research was funded with grants and checkoffs from farmers in 20 states. "PLA is the first of a new kind of corn-based product," said NCGA Customer and Business Development Action Team Vice Chairman and York, NE, corn grower Boyd Smith. "It is a polymer that can be made into fabric for clothing, carpeting, furniture, plastic films, and containers for food and other product packaging. "When used for clothing," Smith continued, "it has some great characteristics and can be usedin athletic gear, among other applications."