Maize, the jack of all trades

Maize is a versatile crop. In the food sector, its cobs are on the grill and oil can be pressed from the kernels. A large proportion of the harvest is also used as animal feed and the pharmaceutical industry uses maize dextrin, a carbohydrate obtained from the plant, as a carrier and binding agent.

Industrial application

In the bioeconomy, starch from maize is used to produce bioplastics and to refine paper in order to increase its strength and resilience. The starch used for this is obtained from the whole grain, which is therefore no longer available for the food sector.

Moulded parts made from maize residues

In the case of CornPack packaging solutions, things are different. Their manufacturer, a company from Lübeck, produces moulded parts from corn semolina. And thus from a residual material that is produced in the manufacture of muesli, among other things. Mixed with organic binders, it becomes a light, robust material that protects glass bottles from breakage and fresh food from spoiling. 

The material is a sustainable alternative to polystyrene, which not only decomposes in industrial plants after a long service life, but also in domestic compost. 

Market readiness  

Market maturity is still being worked on. So far there is only a prototype.