Sustainability that sticks

At the University of Minnesota, researchers are re-imagining soybeans as a source of advanced, sustainable materials — not just food. But getting companies to make the leap to a more sustainable product can be a sticking point. 

The Severtson Lab, based in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering (BBE), knows a thing or two about "sticking" to sustainability. They are developing soy-based industrial adhesives made from polymer building blocks that can directly integrate into existing manufacturing platforms. These soy-derived components are designed as drop-in substitutes for petroleum-derived ingredients commonly used today. These materials can be used to manufacture a wide range of products, including adhesives, sealants, and glues for packaging, construction, and consumer products.

Utilizing conventional materials, such as acrylics, alongside soy alternatives means the team doesn’t need to use new equipment or change reaction conditions. Meeting cost and performance targets while preserving compatibility with existing production lines makes the soy-based approach an attractive option for industry. 

Graduate students and researchers, including Jidapa “Bonus” Watcharakitti, Elmira Kaffashsaei, and Nate Severtson, play key roles in advancing this work. They’ve been especially focused on pressure-sensitive adhesives and wood glues, with funding from the United Soybean Board in partnership with Franklin International (Columbus, Ohio), the maker of Titebond®, one of the world’s best-selling wood glue brands. 

The team has also been working with soybean hulls, an agricultural byproduct, extracting cellulose nanocrystals to use as a natural reinforcement to enhance the strength, durability, and moisture resistance of water-based polymers. 

The ultimate goal is to deliver sustainable, cost-competitive materials that meet industry performance standards while expanding high-value markets for U.S. soybeans.

This work is being done with the support and partnership of Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI; Matt Aro and Victor Krause), Van Technologies (Duluth, Minnesota), Arkema Coating Resins (Cary, North Carolina), the United Soybean Board, and Franklin International (Columbus, Ohio).

Soybeans and soy products are helping move agriculture into the future — feeding the world, providing sustainable alternatives to multiple industries, and improving environmental, human, plant, and animal health. Learn more about CFANS' role in the research and development of this important crop in The Science of Soybeans.