New Uses for Corn: Supported Innovation Is Expanding Demand

Corn continues to prove its versatility beyond the field, and Aerterra is a powerful example of what innovation can unlock. In a conversation with IL Corn Director of Communications and Marketing Lindsay Croke, Aerterra co-founder Mike Malloy shared how the company produces renewable HVAC air filters using polylactic acid (PLA), a biopolymer derived from corn.

Aerterra’s filters are designed to deliver the same (or better) performance as traditional fossil fuel–based materials, without the long-term environmental footprint. The process takes field corn through multiple value-added stages, including fermentation, fiberization, non-woven fabric production, and nanofiber technology, creating economic opportunities that can take place in rural communities across America.

For Malloy, who grew up on a family farm in southwest Iowa, the mission is personal. By pairing improved indoor air quality with renewable materials and rural job creation, Aerterra demonstrates how corn can play a role in solving real-world challenges while strengthening rural economies. The filters are currently available direct-to-consumer through Aerterra’s website, connecting farmers and consumers who care about sustainability, clean air, and rural America.