Big River Resources, Prairie Gold set to open Iowa corn zein plant by May

In Iowa, the Big River Resources ethanol facility has teamed with Prairie Gold to erect a new plant using first-of-its kind technology to extract zein from corn. The project is expected to be built by May of next year, with product going out the door by July.

The new Galva plant will extract zein from 600,000 bushels of corn per year, about the amount produced on 3,000 to 4,000 acres, Mr. Shane said.

The protein can be used for biodegradable plastics, paper coatings, food packaging, antioxidants, medical devices, pharmaceutical products, food and cosmetics.

Currently, the only U.S. facility currently harvesting zein — which makes up about 40 percent of the total protein in corn — is in Massachusetts.

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