Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM, Decatur, Ill.) and PolyOne Corporation (Cleveland, Ohio) announced Sept. 22 that they will collaborate on development and commercialization of bio-based plasticizers from corns and oilseeds for use in polymer formulations. Plasticizers, petroleum-based products used primarily to make plastics softer and more flexible, comprise an $11 billion (USD) industry. "There is clear market interest in renewable technology as an alternative to traditional petroleum-based plasticizer offerings," says Dr. Cecil Chappelow, PolyOne's VP, innovation, sustainability, and chief innovation officer. "We are confident that PolyOne's compounding expertise and global market reach, coupled with ADM's deep knowledge of agricultural-based chemistries and manufacturing techniques, will lead to a new generation of plasticizers and compounds for our customers and for the global polymer industry."