IARN — Use of corn as an acceptable feedstock clarified by Energy Department
In the most recent Funding Opportunity Announcement, the Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office clarified that corn grain is an acceptable feedstock. This means starch derived sugars, specifically starches from field and feed corn, were clarified as acceptable. National Corn Growers Association Market Development Director Sarah McKay says, “This is an important evolution in how DOE interprets legislative intent,” adding the clarification will, “lay the groundwork and develop a solid foundation for future markets for corn.”
NCGA says the timing of the announcement is important because it means those looking for funding opportunities through the Plastics Innovations Challenge can use corn as a base for recycling technologies in the manufacture of new plastics.
The Bioenergy Technologies Office works to develop industrially relevant technologies to enable domestically produced biofuels and bioproducts. An example of a product that could now be developed to use corn grain as a feedstock is single-use plastics such as water bottles and plastic bags.
