The Iowa Corn Promotion Board is seeking a patent for a bio-based production method using corn in the industrial manufacturing of a raw material called monoethylene glycol or MEG. Board Member Curt Mether says research started on the process in 2003.  The end result is bio-MEG is a greener alternative that eliminates the need for petroleum based plastics used for films, beverage bottles and other products.

He says the process for manufacturing bio-MEG also cuts cost by going from corn sugar to MEG in one step. As a result many plastic manufactures and food and beverage companies are interested in the technology.

He says the MEG conversion could utilize more than 1.2 billion bushels of corn to saturate the entire 2016 projected demand. MEG can also be used as anti-freeze, coolants, aircraft deicers and industrial solvents.

The global MEG market stood at $27 billion in 2014 and is anticipated to reach $40 billion in 2023.