NatureWorks Ingeo can be found in a variety of products such as packing materials, carpet, hygiene products, fresh food packaging, cleaners, disposable tableware and apparel. Other products becoming more common include plastic gift cards, weed-blocking landscape covering, durable plastic electronic housings and baby diapers.

“Consumer reaction is typically surprised but positive,” Davies says. “People have the idea that doing something good for the environment means giving up something. We've taken a lot of trouble to work with downstream manufacturers to make sure the product performs well, looks good and is good for the environment.”

While the acceptance and growth of these corn-based products has been impressive, Davies says the industry has more to come. “NatureWorks LLC started in 2003 as the world's first and largest bio-plastic facility, and yet it's still tiny in terms of the global plastic and fiber market,” Davies says. “What we see going forward is Ingeo and other bio-plastics becoming a fact of life and the norm.”

THIS GROWING MARKET of new uses for corn will also benefit producers, says Nathan Fields, director of research and business development for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).

“If we can diversify the use of corn it will create more marketing opportunities and ultimately help corn growers,” Fields says. “Technology and research in terms of processing is continuously developing. There are a lot of promising applications to be excited about.”

Despite the array of corn-made products on the market, the NatureWorks plant at capacity uses less than .5% of the available U.S. corn crop.

Interested in these new value-added corn products? Check out some of the merchandise on retail shelves that started in a corn field:

· “We milk the cows and grow the bottles” is the motto of Naturally Iowa, Inc. The company packages its certified organic dairy products in Ingeo containers. For more information visit www.naturallyiowa.com or call 712-542-MILK.

· Mohawk Industries and DuPont's SmartStrand carpeting is made of agricultural materials, including corn. You can enjoy your corn crop year round right in your living room. For more information call 800-2MOHAWK.

· Looking for a unique company promotional item? Corn-based biodegradable plastic mugs, pens, letter openers, rulers and golf tees are available at www.cornmug.com, or call 425-681-2460.

· Sleep tight with Ingeo fiber pillows and comforters. Available at home stores, these bedding goods offer superior performance and insulation, luxurious comfort, lasting, springy loft and durability. Visit www.target.com, www.cozywinters.com or www.bedbathandbeyond.com for more information.

· Look good and feel good by wearing an Ingeo shirt from EcoWear USA. Available in various styles and colors, these shirts are wrinkle-free, easy-care durable and fully recyclable. For more information visit www.ecowearusa.com.

· Sam's Club and Wal-Mart Super Centers now offer Ingeo packaging on freshly cut fruit, herbs, vegetables and bakery products. Research indicated that this change to packaging made from corn will save the equivalent of 800,000 gal. of gasoline and reduce more than 11 million lbs. of greenhouse gas emissions.

For additional listings of corn products made using NatureWorks Ingeo visit www.ingeofibers.com and www.natureworksllc.com.

For a complete listing of all products made with corn, visit the NCGA corn product search page at www.ncga.com/research.