DECATUR, IL - Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) has begun offering isosorbide under its line of Evolution Chemicals™. Isosorbide is an industrial ingredient made from corn that is a potential alternative to the petroleum-based chemical bisphenol A in plastics and other applications. ADM is the first company in North America to offer renewable isosorbide on a commercial scale.

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is used in the manufacture of plastics and is present in many products including eyeglass lenses, sports equipment and CDs and DVDs. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Toxicology Program at the National Institutes of Health have expressed concern about the potential health effects associated with BPA.

Isosorbide is a versatile ingredient with a wide range of applications. It can be used in polyesters for inks, toners, powder coatings, packaging and durable goods; polyurethanes for foams and coatings; polycarbonates for durable goods and optical media; epoxy resins for paints; and detergents, surfactants and additives for personal care and consumer products.

ADM currently offers isosorbide in both a technical grade (97 percent pure) and a polymer grade (99 percent pure).

ADM's Evolution Chemicals line of bio-based industrial ingredients is derived from renewable resources like corn and soy. Evolution places ADM's industrial chemicals, such as isosorbide, propylene glycol, glycerin, industrial ethanol and ethylene glycol, under one product line.