Food Chain - Issue 206 - June 2025 | Page 12

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The company spent eight years developing the CornNext-17 material. What were the biggest technical or scientific challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them? The biggest challenge was transforming corn starch, which is naturally brittle and moisture-sensitive, into a stable, scalable, and fully biodegradable material. Over eight years, we invested nearly $ 10 million in R & D. Instead of relying on chemical modification, we adopted an enzymatic fermentation process and refined a proprietary physical processing method. This allowed us to enhance strength and stability without adding any synthetic or petroleum-based compounds, thereby striking the right balance between performance and environmental responsibility. no microplastics or toxic residues. We provide customers with complete safety data sheets, lab test reports, and material documentation to help them meet rising environmental regulations and transparency demands.
Corn Next straws maintain integrity for over two hours. What feedback have you received from bartenders and hospitality operators?
How do Corn Next straws perform in real-world hospitality settings? What advantages do they offer compared to traditional plastic or paper straws? In real use, our straws hold their shape for over two hours in cold or room-temperature beverages; far outlasting paper straws, which often soften within 30 minutes. Compared to plastic straws, Corn Next straws offer a naturally smooth and pleasant mouthfeel, while also decomposing completely without leaving microplastics or toxins. They maintain the original flavor of drinks and offer a premium sustainable experience.
Corn Next emphasizes that its products contain no microplastics or synthetic residues. How do you verify this, and how do you communicate this to eco-conscious clients? CornNext-17 has passed both USDA BioPreferred and European bio-based material certification. We’ re currently undergoing third-party testing in the US and EU for Life Cycle Assessment( LCA) and compostability. Our straws fully degrade in natural environments within 30 days, leaving
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