Turning Corn into Acrylics: A Sustainable Future for Everyday Products
October 24, 2024
In this audio interview, Jared White from Brownfield Ag speaks with Chris Nicholas, president and co-founder of Lakril Technologies, about an exciting innovation: turning corn into sustainable acrylics. You'll hear how Lakril is using bio-based sugars, derived from corn, to create environmentally-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based chemicals. Nicholas shares insights into how this technology could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of everyday products like paints, coatings, and even diapers. Tune in to learn more about this cutting-edge development and its potential impact on corn demand.

By Lindsay Croke
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June 30, 2025
When we think of Independence Day traditions, sweet corn on the cob is as iconic as fireworks and often even more central to the celebration. According to Instacart, purchases of sweet corn surge by 380% over the annual average heading into July 4th, outranking other grilling staples like baby back ribs and burgers. But corn's role in your Fourth of July celebration goes far beyond your plate. In Illinois alone, 8,300 acres of sweet corn are harvested annually, averaging 155 cwt per acre. That’s more than 128 million pounds of locally grown sweetness fueling summer cookouts across the state. And while sweet corn makes a big impression on the grill, most of Illinois’ corn crop isn’t sweet corn - it’s field corn. Less than 1% of the state’s crop is sweet corn, while the rest is used in products that are often invisible to consumers but vital to everyday life: fuel, packaging, fireworks, and even spirits.