Seriously: Soybeans and corn replace some petro-based products In Nebraska, Cargill Inc. has become the first company to commercialize a technology that turns raw corn kernels into white pellets that can be spun into fabric or molded into plastic. The materials look like traditional polyesters and plastics made from a petroleum base, but the process consumes half as many fossil fuels.
The agribusiness company is one of many companies seeking to use crops, weeds and animal waste in place of petroleum in the manufacturing process. The Energy Department has said it wants to convert 25 percent of chemical manufacturing to an agricultural base by 2030. At Universities throughout the Midwest, researchers are experimenting with new biotechnology that includes turning soybean oil into mattresses and chicken feathers into golf tees. "Anything you can make out of petroleum, I can make out of corn and soybeans," said Larry Johnson, director of the Center for Crops Utilization Research at Iowa State University (Stephanie Simon, Los Angeles Times, June 26). -- DRL On 6/24/05, redghost <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20050623_125410.html > > nope, not politicians, but this thing was found in the Potomic by D.C., > and somebody found an actual useful characteristic. About the only > useful thing to come out of that area in ages. > > Oh, it cleans up radioactive stuff and makes electricity. Maybe a new > fuel cell source. > > -- > Clay > Seattle Bioburner > > 1972 220D - Gump > 1995 E300D - Cleo > 1987 300SDL - POS - DOA > > > _______________________________________ > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > For new parts see www.buymbparts.com > For repairs see www.oldworldauto.com > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net >
