From staff report WASHIINGTON, D.C. – United Soybean Board Director Patrick Giberson recently discussed various possibilities related to soybeans.
At the National Association of Farm Broadcasters annual Washington Event, Giberson said, “The opportunities for soybeans are endless. Two of our big ones have just come out.”
Partnering with Dewalt, Giberson said the board has produced an environmentally friendly bar and chain oil, available now in 1300 Home Depot home improvement stores. He added, another partnership involves using soybeans in firefighting foam that doesn’t contain any per- and/or polyfluoroalkyl substances.
SoyFoam contains no forever chemicals, eliminating exposure while prioritizing first responders’ well-being. A partnership between Cross Plains Solutions and the soy checkoff keeps communities safe by providing first responders with Cross Plains Solutions’ SoyFoam TF 1122, the only foam GreenScreen Certified at the gold level.
“They put their lives on the line every day for us, so if we can get them home safely and have something safe for the environment, I think it is a win for everybody,” Giberson said.
Giberson emphasized the versatility of soybeans.
“There are things in the pipeline now,” he said. “That it seems like it snowballs when we find one use for this certain product we are trying to make or the chemical formulation, it just continually falls into another spot.”
Regarding marketing opportunities in the biofuels market, Giberson said there is room to grow.
“Moving forward I think there is a lot of opportunity coming online with that, and it is something that is growing,” he said. “I don’t think it is going to jump all at once, but it will gradually grow.”