Clothes and textile from corn fibers were again the highlight in the recently concluded World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing. A fashion show was held, putting on spotlight ready-to-wear clothing and designer gowns using from fabrics made by Ingeo. The fabrics were spun from polylactide (PLA), a compostable biopolymer made from dextrose corn sugar supplied by NatureWorks.

"We think there is a tremendous future for it, particularly because the consumer world is starting to wake up and recognize that it makes sense to employ some of these different materials as an alternative to both energy and fabric," said Martin Dudziak, research director for Linda Loudermilk Inc., a designer making Ingeo clothes.

Aside from clothes and packaging materials, corn-based disposable diapers are also being developed. Read more about bio-fabrics from the WashingtonPost.