AerTerra Featured in Illinois Corn: Renewable Air Filters Expanding Demand for Corn

January 29, 2026

We're excited to share that AerTerra was recently featured by Illinois Corn in an article highlighting how innovation is creating new uses for corn and expanding market demand for farmers.

In a conversation with IL Corn Director of Communications and Marketing Lindsay Croke, our co-founder Mike Malloy discussed how AerTerra is transforming field corn into high-performance HVAC air filters using polylactic acid (PLA), a renewable biopolymer.

Watch the full interview: AerTerra on IL Corn TV

From Field to Filter: A Multi-Stage Value Chain

Our process demonstrates the versatility of corn as a raw material. Field corn goes through several value-added stages to become an AerTerra filter:

• Fermentation to create PLA
• Fiberization
• Non-woven fabric production
• Advanced nanofiber technology

Each of these stages creates economic opportunities that can happen right here in rural American communities, bringing jobs and investment to the places that grow our raw materials.

Performance Meets Sustainability

AerTerra filters deliver the same performance—or better—as traditional fossil fuel-based air filters, but without the long-term environmental footprint. We're proving that choosing renewable materials doesn't mean compromising on quality or effectiveness.

A Mission Rooted in Rural America

For Mike, who grew up on a family farm in southwest Iowa, this work is personal. AerTerra brings together three important goals:

• Improved indoor air quality for healthier homes and buildings
• Renewable materials that reduce dependence on fossil fuels
• Rural job creation that strengthens agricultural communities

By connecting farmers and consumers who care about sustainability, clean air, and supporting rural America, we're building something bigger than just a product—we're creating a new pathway for agricultural innovation.

Available Now

AerTerra filters are currently available direct-to-consumer through our website at aer-terra.com. Every filter purchased supports American farmers and rural communities while delivering cleaner indoor air for your home or business.

Featured in "New Uses for Corn: Supported Innovation Is Expanding Demand" by Tara Desmond, Illinois Corn, January 28, 2026.