A new method was developed to turn corn cob waste into useful products. By breaking down different parts of the corn cob in three steps, researchers were able to convert hemicellulose sugars and extract lignin efficiently. This process increased the breakdown of cellulose, the main component of the corn cob, by almost 77%. The combination of hydro-depolymerization and alkaline treatment allows for the complete use of all parts of the corn cob, making it a promising technique for the agriculture industry.