A Nebraska agricultural trade delegation recently signed a letter of intent with Wei Mon Industry Co. Inc. for ongoing Taiwanese purchases of corn-based polylactide (PLA) resins. PLA is manufactured in Blair, Neb., using dextrose feedstock from a Cargill corn refinery.

“Using corn produced in Nebraska to help develop Taiwan’s feed and animal industries, and using corn-based PLA resin from Nebraska to help develop Taiwan’s bio-materials industry are win-win situations,� said Clover Chang, U.S. Grains Council director in Taiwan. “This visit helped enhance the working relationship between Nebraska and Taiwan.� Wei Mon imported about 55,000 metric tons of PLA resin in the period from 2002 to 2011 and estimates that Taiwan will import about 20,000 to 22,000 metric tons of resin during 2012 and 2013. The Nebraska delegation was led by Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy.