Corn Kernel Refining Yields Surprising Array of Products
Corn Refining Takes Kernel to New Heights
Primient's corn wet milling facility in Decatur, Illinois, is a marvel of modern agriculture. Here, corn kernels are transformed into a wide range of products, from food and pharmaceuticals to drywall and fireworks.
The process begins with soaking the corn in water to soften each kernel before it is ground and separated into its individual components. One of the most valuable products is corn starch, which serves as the foundation for hundreds of applications.
Corn starch can be chemically or enzymatically modified, converted into dextrose for food products, or used in various industrial processes. The surprising uses of corn starch include cardboard and binding materials that help hold fireworks together, while industrial starch is also found in drywall, home insulation, and pharmaceutical products.
Jared Collier, operations manager at the Decatur facility, highlights the efficiency of the refining process, stating that approximately 99.7% of every corn kernel is converted into useful products, with very little material going to waste.