While not yet widely available, corn-based deicers have shown some promise as an environmentally friendly alternative that could reduce the use of salt.
Iowa DOT researchers conducted lab tests on a series of corn-based deicer blends—mixes of salt brine and three types of corn-derived alcohols.
They identified several combinations that performed well in terms of freezing-point depression, corrosion inhibition and ice-melting capacity. While cost and logistics issues must be explored further, the blends’ performance showed enough promise to warrant further study.
Read the final report and two-page research brief: Corn-Based Deicers, July 2020.
Image source: Iowa DOT