By Blake Jackson
The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC) is highlighting the success of Citroniq and Future Origins, the two winners of the Radicle Corn Challenge, an international competition focused on discovering innovative uses for corn and expanding market opportunities for growers.
The winners were announced on September 9, 2026, during the Bio Innovations North America Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. Selected from a global pool of innovators, the companies are developing technologies that transform corn and corn-derived feedstocks into higher-value products.
Backed by 12 U.S. corn grower organizations, including Missouri Corn, the $1.75 million Radicle Corn Challenge aims to connect producers with entrepreneurs and researchers working to create new commercial applications for corn.
“Growing demand is just as important as growing corn,” said MCMC Chairman Patrick Seyer, a corn grower from Oran, MO. “The Radicle Corn Challenge gives growers a seat at the table as new technologies are developed and creates opportunities to turn more of what we grow into new products and new markets.”
Citroniq is developing bio-based polypropylene made from corn ethanol, while Future Origins uses corn-derived dextrose to manufacture ingredients for home and personal care products.
“Our congratulations go out to these two award-winning companies,” Seyer said. “As farmers continue to improve productivity, we need to continue looking for opportunities to expand where corn can go. Supporting innovation today can help build the markets we’ll need tomorrow.”
By encouraging collaboration among growers, innovators, and investors, the Radicle Corn Challenge supports the development of new corn-based products and technologies.
The initiative seeks to create long-term demand for corn, strengthen future market opportunities, and drive continued growth across the agricultural industry.
Photo Credit: missouri-corn
Categories: Missouri, Business, Crops, Corn