Discover Corn Next: a pioneering biotechnology company with a profound commitment to cultivating a healthier planet 

What inspired you, both personally and professionally, to start Corn Next? As a former competitive sailor, how does your innovation reflect a mission to protect the ocean? 

As a former sailor who spent countless hours at sea, I witnessed firsthand how plastic pollution, especially from single-use items, was threatening our marine ecosystems. After immigrating to the United States in 2017, I visited many national parks, expecting pristine landscapes, but was again shocked by the amount of plastic waste. These experiences brought back memories from my youth and sparked a deep sense of responsibility. 

Not just as an entrepreneur, but as a father and a global citizen, I felt compelled to create a material that truly returns to nature. That’s how Corn Next was born: a commitment to developing genuinely sustainable, nature-based alternatives to plastic.  

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.  

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 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? 

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. While the straws may gradually soften or develop small cracks during use, both bartenders and customers appreciate the natural look and feel. They understand the material is made from real corn starch and welcome the compromise, because it reflects a genuine commitment to health and the planet. Many even prefer the “natural touch” and say it enhances the authenticity of the beverage experience. For operators, choosing Corn Next is not just about function, it’s a statement of brand values.  

The eco-straw market is becoming crowded. What sets Corn Next apart, both as a product and as a brand? 

Many so-called eco-friendly straws still contain hidden plastics or require industrial composting to degrade. In contrast, Corn Next straws are truly 100 percent natural and made entirely from corn starch with no chemical additives. They biodegrade in any natural environment and are even safe enough to be repurposed as animal feed. 

As a brand, Corn Next is a technology-driven, high-integrity company dedicated to designing and producing 100 percent bio-based materials. We’re not just solving a single-use plastic problem; we’re building a platform for a plastic-free future. Our proprietary material has broad potential across packaging, foodware, and textiles. We aim to lead a global shift back to nature through science and innovation.  

The flavored straw line is a unique highlight. How is it made, and which industries are most interested? 

Our flavored straws are made with natural fruit extracts, are completely sugar-free and free of artificial ingredients. Using a low-temperature extraction process, we preserve the fruit’s natural aroma without affecting the beverage taste. These straws serve as both proof of our material’s natural purity and a showcase of our technical innovation. 

They’ve been particularly popular among younger consumers, cruise lines, and airlines; brands that want to offer a fun, sustainable, and differentiated user experience that also aligns with their ESG goals.  

How important is it to root Corn Next within the US agricultural system? How does this affect your supply chain and pricing? 

It’s extremely important. All our future raw materials will be sourced from Midwest corn farms, and we are building partnerships with local research institutions. This ensures traceability, high-quality feedstock, and new income opportunities for American farmers. More importantly, it gives US corn a new path to global markets; one that replaces harmful plastics with planet-friendly materials. It also creates long-term supply chain stability and cost control.  

What sustainability standards or certifications does Corn Next follow? How do you support your customers in meeting ESG or green procurement goals? 

We follow ISO and EN standards and have earned compostability certifications from BPI and TÜV Austria. We are in the process of completing LCA documentation to help our customers reduce Scope 3 emissions in their supply chains. Many hotels and global chains can feature Corn Next straws in their ESG reports as a tangible example of sustainable progress in the near future.  

Absolutely. We are currently developing biodegradable films, molded cutlery, and short fibers; all based on CornNext-17. We also plan to expand into sustainable packaging and textiles. Additionally, we are exploring the integration of graphene to enhance the material’s toughness and insulation properties.  

Our vision is to deliver a complete suite of plastic-free material solutions for the global market, offering not just sustainability, but real alternatives for a cleaner, healthier planet.  

www.cornnext.com