New Soy Uses & Technology

Indiana soybean farmers are leaders in identifying and commercializing innovative new uses of soybeans.  Soybean candles & crayons were developed by Purdue University with Indiana soybean checkoff funds.

The Indiana Soybean Alliance works to identify, develop, and commercialize new soybean uses that have significant market demand impact for Indiana soybean farmers. 

Current New Uses Programs

Research - Concrete Sealant

The Indiana Soybean Alliance has been sponsoring research at Purdue University's Agricultural & Biological Engineering and Civil Engineering Departments.  The research is focused on using soy-based products to develop an effective concrete sealer. 

The sealer has the power to effectively stop fluid penetration from rain, road grime, etc.  It has also demonstrated positive qualities for adding durability and service life to concrete as is reduces chloride (road salt) penetration.

Although promising for residential, industrial, indoor and outdoor use, at this time, ISA and Purdue are focused on road construction usages.  All roads have joints where different slabs or sections of material meet.  These joints are notorious for rapid deterioration leading to road failure.

Currently, ISA is working with INDOT to strategically select a site and test the material this summer (2010) on road construction joints.  Lab work shows potential that ISA’s concrete sealing material could add 10-20 years of life to road joints, using millions of bushels of soybeans and saving the State millions of dollars in joint repair and recovery.

Soybean Alliance Professor in Soybean Utilization Research Chair Endowment

To insure soybean farmers commitment to finding new uses for soybeans, Indiana soybean farmers with their checkoff have committed $1.5 million for an Endowed Research Chair in Soybean Utilization at Purdue University. Purdue will match the gift to establish an additional faculty position dedicated to soybean research.

Bernie Tao - Purdue Endowment Chair

 Purdue University Student Soybean Product Innovation Competition 

The Student Soybean Product Innovation Competition allows Purdue students to use thier abilities and creativitity to develop innovative new products made from soybeans. 2010 marked the 17th year of the competition, and this year's top winners included a soy-based pharmaceutical excipient and a soy shoe sole. This year's contest features bigger cash prizes for both winning student teams and the academic department that advises them.

Watch a YouTube video summarizing the 2010 competition.

To see this year's winners, click here

To learn more, click here

Soybean Oil Candles - Indiana's First Major Soy Commercialization Success! 

Replacing petroleum oil with soybean oil in the production of soy candles was the state's first major commercialization product.

Cargill Named Exclusive Licensee for Indiana Soybean Board's Candle Patent Technology 

Indiana soybean farmers and Purdue University brought soy crayons to the market place through the student new uses soybean contest.  The petroleum oil used in crayons is replaced with soybean oil, making it a better product for artists to use. Prang Soybean Crayons

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