Industries We Serve

Food/Confectionery

Food/Bakery

Zein can be used to enhance the texture, shelf life, and nutritional content of food and bakery products. Its functional properties, including emulsification, film-forming, and protein enrichment, making it a valuable addition to various formulations. By optimizing the formulation and processing conditions, zein can be effectively incorporated into a wide range of food and bakery products, offering both functional and nutritional benefits.

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Confectionery

Zein offers significant potential for use in confectionery products due to its natural origin, film-forming ability, and biodegradability. From edible coatings and barrier films to encapsulation and structural components, zein can enhance the quality, stability, and nutritional profile of confectionery products. Zein is supporting the creation of innovative and sustainable confectionery products.

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Gluten Replacement

Gluten, found in wheat, barley, and rye, is responsible for the elasticity and structure of dough. However, for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, gluten must be avoided. Zein offers a promising alternative due to its similar protein structure, compatibility with other gluten-free ingredients, and functional properties. Zein improves the texture and structural integrity of gluten-free products.

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Coating Of Produce

Using zein to coat fresh fruits and vegetables offers a natural, safe, and effective way to extend shelf life, enhance appearance, and protect against microbial contamination. Zein's biodegradability and non-toxic nature make it an appealing option for consumers seeking natural food preservation methods. By optimizing the formulation and application methods, zein coatings can provide significant benefits in maintaining the quality and freshness of produce, contributing to reduced food waste and improved consumer satisfaction.

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THC/CBD Edibles

Zein offers significant potential for use in confectionery products due to its natural origin, film-forming ability, and biodegradability. From edible coatings and barrier films to encapsulation and structural components, zein can enhance the quality, stability, and nutritional profile of confectionery products. Zein is supporting the creation of innovative and sustainable confectionery products.

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Vegan Cheese

Zein offers significant potential for use in confectionery products due to its natural origin, film-forming ability, and biodegradability. From edible coatings and barrier films to encapsulation and structural components, zein can enhance the quality, stability, and nutritional profile of confectionery products. Zein is supporting the creation of innovative and sustainable confectionery products.

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Nutra/Pharma

Zein is a versatile and valuable excipient in pharmaceutical formulations due to its natural origin, safety, and functional properties. It is particularly useful in applications requiring enteric coatings, sustained release, and drug delivery systems. Zein is an attractive material for use as an enteric coating due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and excellent film-forming properties.

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Agriculture

Zein has several potential applications in agriculture due to its film-forming ability, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. These properties make it an attractive alternative for various agricultural uses, from crop protection to soil enhancement. From controlled-release agrochemicals and seed coatings to biodegradable mulch films and plant protection, zein can contribute to the development of eco-friendly agricultural solutions. Ongoing research and development are likely to optimize its use and expand its applications in the agricultural sector, supporting more sustainable farming practices.

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Adhesieves

Zein's adhesive properties, combined with its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and renewable nature, make it an attractive alternative to synthetic adhesives. Its applications range from wood adhesives to food packaging and medical adhesives. With ongoing research and development, the performance and cost-effectiveness of zein-based adhesives are likely to improve, further expanding their potential uses in various industries.

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BioBased Coatings

Zein presents a promising solution for replacing conventional plastics and PFAS due to its biodegradability, sustainability, and versatility. From biodegradable films and coatings to water-repellent treatments and non-stick surfaces, zein can contribute to the development of eco-friendly and safer alternatives to traditional materials. Ongoing research and development are likely to optimize its properties and expand its applications, supporting the transition to more sustainable and environmentally responsible materials.

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Cosmetics & Personal Care

Zein's film-forming ability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability are particularly valuable in personal care applications. From hair and skin care to makeup and nail products, zein can enhance the texture, durability, and protective qualities of a wide range of formulations. Its use continues to expand as it caters to the increasing consumer demand for natural and sustainable products.

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Construction

Zein has potential applications in the construction industry due to its film-forming ability, biodegradability, and mechanical properties. While its use in construction is still in the experimental stages, several innovative approaches and applications have been explored. Zein offers promising potential for various applications in the construction industry due to its sustainability, biodegradability, and functional properties. From protective coatings and adhesives to biocomposites and insulation materials, zein can contribute to the development of eco-friendly construction solutions.

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Biomedical

Zein offers significant potential for various biotechnology and medical applications due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and versatile properties. From drug delivery systems and tissue engineering to wound healing and biosensors, zein can contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable medical solutions. Ongoing research and development are likely to optimize its use and expand its applications in the biotech and medical fields, supporting the advancement of modern healthcare.

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Cultured Meat

Scaffolds are essential in cultured meat production as they provide a structure for cells to grow, differentiate, and form tissue that mimics the texture and consistency of conventional meat. Zein is a promising material for scaffolding in cultured meat due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and good mechanical properties. It can be processed into various forms to support cell growth and tissue formation. The advantages of using zein, particularly its natural origin and safety, make it an attractive option for creating scaffolds that contribute to the production of high-quality cultured meat.

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Biobased

Biobased material which is sustainable produced and totally compostable with no chemical residue.

Non-reactive

Crosslinks with a wide variety of ingredients without chemically reacting. Increases stability and useful life of compounds.

Hydrophobic

Highly effective oxygen and vapor barrier. Extends shelf life.

Versatile

Creates a strong, clear film. Can also be molded, extruded, or spun.

Food Safe

Generally Recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. FDA as a food ingredient.

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History

First discovered in 1897, zein is the primary storage protein in corn.

Its unique properties, such as forming tough, glossy, hydrophobic, and grease-proof coatings resistant to microbial attack, have generated significant commercial interest.

Today, known as FloZein Products, the company was originally established as Flo Chemical Corp in 1976 and has remained the sole manufacturer of zein in North America. In 2014, it underwent a transformation to become a second-generation Women Business Enterprise (WBE).

Along with this change, FloZein Products also adopted advanced manufacturing technology and expanded its capabilities to offer multiple product lines, sales, and marketing services, as well as specialized application and consultation services.

Mission Statement

At Flo Enterprises, our mission is to excel as a leading manufacturer and developer of sustainable, eco friendly, and innovative biobased products and formulations.

Our expertise in zein chemistry, combined with our commitment to green manufacturing practices, allows us to create value for our customers, shareholders, and the environment. We consistently strive to meet the evolving needs of our target markets by supplying high-quality, ready-to-use coatings, adhesives, and polymers.

These products offer unique performance benefits over traditional petroleum-based chemistries.

As a Women’s Business Enterprise and an FDA-registered facility, we take pride in promoting diversity, sustainability, and responsible manufacturing practices within our organization and the communities we serve.

Executive Summary

Flo Enterprises leads the way in creating and manufacturing eco-friendly, biobased, vegan, and fully contact food-safe coatings, adhesives, and specialty polymers. Our groundbreaking products primarily  use Zein, a versatile natural polymer obtained from corn protein. We focus on replacing petroleum based and synthetic materials, contributing to global efforts to enhance recycling, minimize waste, and  promote material reuse. 

We take advantage of the growing market demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly  alternatives. Currently, we are seeking financial and strategic partners to bolster our production  capacity, diversify our product offerings, and extend our distribution channels. With the right backing,  we aim to solidify our standing as the industry’s innovation leader and bring our eco-friendly solutions  to a wider market. 

Our commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through our eco-friendly raw material sourcing,  green manufacturing processes, and production of fully sustainable products. We recognize the  immense potential in the expanding market for sustainable and natural products and plan to capitalize  on this demand to fuel Flo Enterprises’ growth and expansion. 

By partnering with us, you can invest in a company at the forefront of innovation in the sustainable  materials sector. Our unwavering dedication to offering environmentally friendly alternatives to  conventional petroleum-based products positions us to make a significant impact on the market and  establish ourselves as a leader in the field. With your support, we can expedite our growth and make  Flo Enterprises the go-to provider of sustainable coatings, adhesives, and specialty polymers.