Corn Next, a California-based biobased material innovator, has announced two major milestones. The company secured its first equity investment and selected Los Angeles for its U.S. Integrated Demonstration Unit (IDU). This funding marks a key step toward replacing harmful single-use plastics with Corn Next-17, its proprietary biodegradable material. The investment will support early-stage production, strategic hiring, and research partnerships.
“Our decision to locate the IDU in Los Angeles reflects our commitment to innovation and sustainability,” said Randy Zhang, Founder and CEO of Corn Next.
Corn Next is focused on Corn Next-17, a starch-based material that naturally degrades within weeks. It leaves no microplastics or toxic residues behind.
The company’s goal is to demonstrate scalable production and attract partnerships across North America and globally. The new funding will accelerate these efforts.
This is Corn Next’s first equity investment, marking a significant validation of its technology. The funding will help expand research and production capacity.
Corn Next’s selection of Los Angeles as the site for the IDU was based on its infrastructure and talent pool. The city offers ideal conditions for innovation and collaboration.
The Los Angeles-based IDU will serve multiple functions. It will act as a pilot manufacturing hub and a testing facility. It will also be a space for collaborations that support future commercial scale-up of Corn Next-17. This will help demonstrate the material’s potential for widespread use.
Corn Next-17 is derived from starch, making it fully biodegradable within weeks. It decomposes naturally, without microplastics or toxic residues. The company’s mission is to replace traditional plastics with environmentally friendly alternatives. The new pilot plant will help prove its viability at larger scales.
This milestone underscores Corn Next’s role in advancing sustainable packaging solutions through innovative, biodegradable materials.
