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Switching to Soy: The Time is Right
Switching to Soy: The Time is Right
It is construction season in the Midwest, and in communities large and small, crews are building, repairing, and expanding critical infrastructure. While investments in things like highways have always been significant to the agriculture economy, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is launching a program to recognize projects and initiatives with deeper ties to farm fields across the state.
Thanks to years of research, development, and commercialization investments, organizations can use an ever-expanding pipeline of soybased products or utilize a soy derivative in construction and infrastructure projects.
It’s never been easier for institutions and organizations to incorporate soy - and other bio-based, sustainable construction materials and methods into their new build projects or maintenance initiatives.
To champion the adoption and use of soy in construction and transportation investments, the Illinois Soybean Association is launching a new recognition program, the “It’s Sustainably Soy Certification.”
This effort will recognize organizations, construction firms, and executives who are committed to switching to or using sustainable, soybased materials in their construction and building projects.
The time is right to launch this program because in offices, city halls, and board rooms across the country, leaders are being challenged to reduce the carbon intensity of their operations and their impact on the environment.
Projects incorporating soy and other bio-based construction materials are investing in the future in a manner that is good for the economy, environment, and hardworking farmers across Illinois. But we recognize that executives and construction managers have a choice as they seek to meet these opportunities or mandates.
The Illinois Soybean Association believes we should have a programmatic approach to advance continued adoption, support market development, and encourage the building of resilient and renewable supply chains in the construction industry. We are committed to celebrating success, reiterating the opportunities to switch to soy, and showcasing the environmental and economic value soy-based products can provide.
Many of these “new use” products offer compelling commercial reasons for their adoption. Often, these products have obtained parity for price and performance compared to alternatives. In some cases, the lifespan of critical infrastructure can even be extended by deploying a soy-based additive or treatment. There is a compelling economic reason for organizations to adopt soy into their construction efforts.
Beyond the fiscal benefits, switching to soy-based products is also an opportunity to demonstrate an organization’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Undoubtedly, society and policies here in Illinois and across the globe are transitioning away from carbon-intense operations and seeking to reduce the impact of the chemicals and compounds used in their supply chains.
Utilizing soy and other bio-based compounds in construction materials reduces demand for petroleum-derived products and provides momentum for the switch to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable construction and infrastructure economy.
While a soy-based product may be able to replace a petroleum-based product on a specific project, the more significant opportunity for our industry is to change the mindset and underlying supply chain. Soy offers a compelling choice.
Soy- and bio-based construction additives and materials are rooted in sustainable farming practices. The crops are abundant, return each season, and do not require extractive techniques like petroleum- or mineral-based products.
Farmers have been pioneers and advocates for environmentally-responsible operations, conservation, and the regenerative economy for centuries. Through all our ongoing work and new initiatives like the “It’s Sustainably Soy Certification,” the Illinois Soybean Association will continue to educate about the environmental and economic benefits of using soy.
