Industrial

Growing Demand in Multiple Industries

Soybeans are in tires, shoes, asphalt, firefighting foam, plywood—and the list keeps growing. Checkoff investments fund the research that creates new demand for every bushel farmers grow.
Man kneeling beside a vehicle and checking the tire pressure with a handheld gauge.

The Checkoff's Current Priorities in New Markets

Soybean oil and meal are great for use in manufacturing everyday products. The checkoff drives soy's industrial expansion through focused, strategic priorities.
Road rollers compacting freshly paved asphalt on a roadway, with construction workers and equipment visible in the background.

Soybean Meal

Finding New Markets for Soybean Meal

Animal feed is soybean meal's largest market, but not its only opportunity. The checkoff invests in research that opens industrial applications in wood adhesives, bioplastics, and more to expand and diversify soybean meal demand.

Soybean Oil

Expanding Soybean Oil into Industrial Applications

The checkoff funds research proving soybean oil can perform in industrial applications like biobased lubricants, rubber, plastics, paints, and surfactants, adding new demand for every bushel crushed.

New Reputational Wins

Replacing Harmful Ingredients with Soy

Industries are actively looking for biobased alternatives to petroleum, plastic, PFAS, and formaldehyde. The checkoff fosters partnerships across various industries and funds research that positions soy as the preferred solution.

Technology Commercialization

Proving Soy Can Work at Scale

Proving soy works is the first step. The checkoff funds R&D, including testing, certification, and manufacturer partnerships, that takes proven soy-based innovations from development to commercial scale.

Building the Case for Soy in New Products

Soy-based industrial products are gaining ground in markets long dominated by petroleum.

The checkoff works to sustain that momentum amid real barriers to adoption and commercialization.

Protecting the Market Soybean Farmers Depend On

Biobased markets offer real growth potential for U.S. soybeans, and the checkoff engages in product development and innovative new uses to grow markets.
Explore the Issue Brief

Petroleum Is Still the Default

Petroleum-based products are deeply embedded in buyer habits, supply chains, and pricing. That can limit how quickly soy-based alternatives gain adoption; however, biobased products as a sustainable alternative are gaining traction.

Performance Is Proven One Application at a Time

Soy-based products must meet or exceed the performance of what they replace. Because every application has different standards, each use case requires its own validation.

The Path from Research to Market is Long

Research can prove soy works, but bringing a product to market requires testing, certification, and buyer adoption. That gap can slow how quickly new soy-based products reach commercial scale.
Firefighter in protective gear operating a high-pressure hose, spraying soy-based firefighting foam across an outdoor area.

Commitment to New Industrial Markets

Industrial uses for soy are creating demand that didn't exist a generation ago. Checkoff investment funds the research and commercialization work that keeps that growth moving.

The Products Soy Makes Possible

Soy-based products are already in use throughout our daily lives, from tires to shoes to turf. Checkoff investment keeps expanding that footprint.
Industrial Applications
Car tires on a vehicle representing soybean oil's role in replacing petroleum in rubber compounds.

Tires

Soybean oil replaces petroleum in rubber compounds used in consumer vehicles, transit buses, police fleets, and heavy-duty trucks.
Car interior with upholstered seats, representing the use of soy-based adhesives that replace formaldehyde in furniture and flooring.

Furniture & Flooring

Soy adhesives replace formaldehyde in hardwood plywood and composite panels used in cabinetry, millwork, flooring, and furniture.
Worker applying a roof coating, representing soy-based materials used in residential and commercial construction products.

Construction & Renovation

From spray foam insulation and paint to carpet backing and concrete sealers, soy is a growing part of residential and commercial construction.
Road repair crew applying soy-based asphalt rejuvenators to protect infrastructure.

Infrastructure & Roads

Soy-based asphalt rejuvenators, concrete protectants, dust suppressants, and lubricants are protecting roads and infrastructure nationwide.

The Latest News in Industrial Uses

See the latest news on how checkoff investment is opening new opportunities for soy across industrial and manufacturing markets.

Close-up of a person in reflective workwear holding a handful of soy foam.
Feature Story

From the farm to the fleet: How U.S. Soy is finding new demand in city garages

Feature Story

The infrastructure your soybeans depend on: USB’s push to modernize the supply chain

Press Release

35 years of farmers investing together

Press Release

U.S. Soy announces national NEXTILE design challenge winners

How the Checkoff Pays Off

Checkoff investment is built to return value to U.S. soybean farmers. See what it has produced.

Explore Checkoff Results