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TOKYO (Reuters) - Biodegradable socks, made from corn-derived fiber and manufactured by U.S. hosiery makers, are coming to Japan, industry officials said on Tuesday. The socks will make their worldwide debut on Japanese store shelves sometime next year, the officials said.

The officials said they developed the value-added product in an attempt to compete with low-cost textile manufacturers in China and other Asian countries.

The launch is backed by the U.S. Grains Council, which aims to bolster demand for U.S. corn by creating new markets, they said.

Participating hosiery manufacturers are Fox River Mills Inc. of Iowa, W.Y. Shugart & Sons Inc. of Alabama, and Harriss & Covington Hosiery Mills and Twin City Knitting, both of North Carolina.

\"We are launching this in Japan because of Japan\'s environmental consciousness,\" said Jonathan Shugart, the president of W.Y. Shugart & Sons.

The corn-based socks will cost about 20 percent more than socks now available in Japan, he said. In Japan, a pair of socks made from cotton, wool or petroleum-based fibers such as nylon or polyester costs about 300 yen.


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biodegradable....well I know one caveboy who won\'t be wearing them lol

I just have to wounder what "NothingbutmySocks" AKA .. "Socks" would have to say about this? /head_hurts_kr.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ow)\' />

hah, so if you microwaved them would you make popcorn?

mmmm... popcorn but instead of butter flavor you get FEET flavor! /biggrin.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':D\' />

Let\'s see you say that after the caveboy has taken his shoes off /head_hurts_kr.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(ow)\' />

ewwwwwwwwww, did not need that mental picture kthx