Expecting the unexpected from agriculture.Farm-grown fashions have hit the runways across the globe, but not in the way you might expect. Sometimes unknowingly, consumers are becoming more in touch with agriculture, but not in the fields of in the classroom. Families are walking on a "field" of corn, but the "corn" is soft, lofty and stain-resistant. Agriculture is making its way to big cities, suburbs and homes throughout the world in the new products made with Ingeo[TM] fibers, the first and only man-made, natural-based fiber made from 100 percent annually renewable resources--ordinary field corn. Ingeo fibers, the revolutionary fibers from Cargill Dow LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol. LLC - Logical Link Control , Minnetonka, Minn., are the latest innovation to hit the consumer market. Apparel, bedding and carpet are setting the groundwork for a larger selection of fiber products that will be available in the near future and join the company's line of farm-grown packaging products being used in retail outlets retail outlet n → punto de venta retail outlet n → point m de vente retail outlet retail n → worldwide. The Product Cargill Dow's mission, since its inception in 1997, is to change the world by not changing it at all--to lead a new industrial revolution, where limited natural resources like petroleum, are replaced with annually renewable ones such as corn. "Ingeo fibers are leading the new industrial revolution," says Randy Howard, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , Cargill Dow LLC. "Ingeo fiber is positioned to transform the fibers and textiles industry because of its performance and our company's dedication to the principles of sustainability--economic viability, social responsibility and environmental soundness." The process to create Ingeo harnesses the carbon naturally stored in plants from the process of photosynthesis and uses it as the basis to create a resin called PLA (Programmable Logic Array) A type of programmable logic chip (PLD) that contained arrays of programmable AND and OR gates. PLAs are no longer used. See PLD. (language, music) Pla - A high-level music programming language, written in SAIL. . This is achieved by tapping into the carbon stored in plant starches, which can be broken down into natural plant sugars. The carbon and other elements in these natural sugars are then used to make plastic through a process of simple fermentation fermentation, process by which the living cell is able to obtain energy through the breakdown of glucose and other simple sugar molecules without requiring oxygen. Fermentation is achieved by somewhat different chemical sequences in different species of organisms. and separation. The resulting resin can then be spun or otherwise processed into Ingeo for use in a wide range of textile applications. Ingeo fiber is ideally suited for a range of textile products and applications, where it competes with traditional fibers on a price and performance basis. Imagine a building where, in every room, everything from the carpeting on the floor, the chair at the desk, the panels on the walls and the curtains at the windows are designed with a product that comes from Mother Nature. But, Ingeo fiber is more than a fiber or a new technology. Unexpected Unveiling Corn made its way to New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of in the least likely way--on models wearing designs created by renowned fashion designer Oka Masako. In the cold of winter inside a discreet warehouse in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. , Ingeo fibers were launched to the world. The inside of the warehouse was transformed to let those in attendance experience the launch of a product that is set to revolutionize the fibers industry, as well as bring a bit of the Midwest to the big city. Held on Jan. 21, 2003, the event drew more than 500 guests involved in textile, agriculture, business and media from around the globe. "We wanted to tell the story of our company and the nature of our brand in one of the design capitals of the world," Howard says. "It was important that we relayed the revolutionary nature and future of the product without turning away from the roots of our company and the agricultural beginning of Ingeo fibers." The event was designed to create a memorable experience for the attendees along with a visual expression of the product and Ingeo brand. Expected Response, Innovative Uses Since the launch of Ingeo fibers, more than 100 leading brands, textile manufacturers and lifestyle partners have signed up to develop and market products with Ingeo fibers, demonstrating the strength, power and attraction of the new brand concept, along with the promise of a more sustainable future. "This fall consumers will be able to wrap themselves in a blanket that is grown in America," says Michael O'Brien Michael or Mike O'Brien may refer to:
Minnesota-based Faribault Mills, established in 1865, is a leader in high-quality blankets in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . The company, proud of their American heritage American Heritage can refer to:
"Consumers can wrap themselves in American pride American Pride is a three-masted schooner built in 1941 by Muller Boatworks in Brooklyn, New York. She is one of the few tall ships left sailing in the world. Owned by the American Heritage Marine Institute (AHMI), her homeport is Long Beach, California. and tradition this winter," says Michael Harris Mike Harris or Michael Harris may refer to:
adj. 1. Made or consisting of wool. 2. Of or relating to the production or marketing of woolen goods. n. Fabric or clothing made from wool. Often used in the plural. Mills. "Ingeo fibers have given us the chance to bring an all-natural blanket to market that is made from corn, one of our locally grown commodities." Not only can you wrap yourself in a cornfield but you can also put one in your dining room of basement as well. InterfaceFLOR[TM] has debuted high-style modular floorcovering made from Ingeo fiber. The modular floorcovering offers consumers, architects, designers, homebuilders and contractors an unprecedented opportunity to transform the look and feel of residential rooms to fit any season, mood or layout. The 19.5 square-inch tiles are designed to be less wasteful as individual tiles can be replaced as needed as needed prn. See prn order. . Used tiles can also be sent back to InterfaceFLOR for recycling. Consumers can also tuck themselves in to the comfort of corn. An environmentally friendly Environmentally friendly, also referred to as nature friendly, is a term used to refer to goods and services considered to inflict minimal harm on the environment.[1] bedding collection, comprised of fiberfill fi·ber·fill n. Lightweight synthetic fiber used as filling or insulation, as in comforters, pillows, and outerwear. made from Ingeo fibers and developed by Pacific Coast Feather Company and Cargill Dow LLC, is available at many major retailers, such as Bed, Bath and Beyond, Younkers Younkers is a department store chain in the Midwestern United States. The chain concentrates on the middle and upper-class segments of the market. History Beginnings , Carson Pirie Scott Carson Pirie Scott & Co., known informally as Carson's, is a chain of traditional department stores that have been in business for over 150 years. Their product price points are targeted to the moderate-to-upscale shopper. and is offered by Land's End Land's End, promontory, Cornwall, SW England, forming the westernmost extremity of the English mainland. Of wave-carved granite, it has cliffs c.60 ft (20 m) high. Offshore are reefs and rocky islets, on one of which is Longships Lighthouse. . The bedding includes comforters, pillows, mattress pads and blankets filled with the new fiber. "The bedding launched by Pacific Coast Feather Company was the first merchandise made with Cargill Dow's product to hit store shelves in the United States," O'Brien says. Pacific Coast Feather Company plans to expand their line of bedding with more products and broader distribution. The Future The future possibilities of Ingeo fiber are endless. The fibers provide both the textile and design industries a natural-based product that performs while using renewable resources Noun 1. renewable resource - any natural resource (as wood or solar energy) that can be replenished naturally with the passage of time natural resource, natural resources - resources (actual and potential) supplied by nature and promoting the role of agriculture. "Companies like Cargill Dow and products like Ingeo fibers are making it possible to live a modern life without making a severe impact on our earth for future generations," O'Brien says. "We are committed to continued innovation and development of our products, to make a better tomorrow, today." More information about these products and the company can be found at www.cargilldow.com, www.natureworkspla.com or www.ingeofibers.com. * InterfaceFLOR is a registered trademark of Interface Inc. * Ingeo and the Ingeo logo are trademarks of Cargill Dow LLC * NatureWorks and the NatureWorks logo are trademarks of Cargill Dow LLC RELATED ARTICLE: Corn-based packaging turns retail food market on its ear. Global Retailers Reap the Benefits of NatureWorks[TM] PLA "Farm-grown" containers made entirely from corn are helping grocery retailers around the globe attract new attention from consumers to their fresh food offerings. Through the use of containers made from corn-based NatureWorks[TM] PLA, grocery retailers are realizing new opportunities for product differentiation Product Differentiation A source of competitive advantage that depends on producing some item that is regarded to have unique and valuable characteristics. and marketing. In addition to a high-performance package, NatureWorks PLA provides a unique "natural-in-natural" point-of-sale appeal that draws shoppers' attention and loyalty to high-value departments such as the delicatessen, bakery and produce aisle. "'Fresh perimeter departments are ripe for building value via NatureWorks PLA. Natural-based packaging presents an opportunity to offer something fun and intriguing, and differentiate at the point-of-sale by promoting packaging as a selling feature," says Lisa Owen, commercial leader, rigid packaging, Cargill Dow LLC. "The idea of packaging from corn also seems to make the entire product offering seem 'new and improved.'" Several grocery retailers are successfully using NatureWorks PLA to differentiate their products. In the United States, Wild Oats Markets Wild Oats Markets is the operator of natural foods stores and farmers markets in North America. The stores offer dry grocery, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, frozen, prepared foods, bakery, vitamins and supplements, health and body care, and household items. has replaced its packaging with containers made from NatureWorks PLA. Produced by Wilkinson Manufacturing, Fort Calhoun, Neb., rigid containers and lids are currently being used for fruit, salads, cheese, desserts and other deli items. Wild Oats test-marketed the natural-based containers in its Portland, Ore.-area locations this summer and plans a national rollout to all 77 of its stores this fall. "Customer response to this new packaging has been terrific," says Kurt Luttecke, Nature's/Wild Oats area director of operations. "Not only are these new containers 100 percent natural, they're as functional or better than the plastic tubs the industry uses as far as strength, clarity and sealing in the flavor and aroma of our deli products." On the other side of the globe, Italian retailer IPER IPER International Preliminary Examination Report (Patent Cooperation Treaty process) IPER Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Environment and Resources (Stanford University) relies on NatureWorks PLA as a packaging material for its fresh deli products. Initially, IPER used rigid containers with film overlays made with NatureWorks PLA to package fresh pasta and salads. Positive consumer response and solid sales have encouraged IPER to expand its use of NatureWorks PLA to additional applications, such as bread bags. "Switching to natural-based packaging is helping us bring new attention to our fresh foods," says Mario Spezia, sales director, IPER. "NatureWorks PLA offers a high-quality container that comes with a significant marketing opportunity due to its environmental appeal." A recent study conducted by Grapentine Inc. revealed that a majority of consumers rank the concept of purchasing fresh food in natural-based packaging on par with two of grocery retail's highest-selling product trends--fresh herbs and spices, and organic meats and produce. In addition, these consumers are willing to pay extra per item if it is contained in a package derived from nature. "The first thing people notice about packaging made from NatureWorks PLA is the performance," Owen says. "Once they find out it's made from corn, a renewable resource, they're hooked." Jennifer Gray is a senior account executive for Gibbs & Soell Public Relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most . |
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