SOYBEANS AS FIBER

A sustainable, renewable ingredient

Manufacturers use soybean oil and meal to replace petroleum and other volatile or hazardous ingredients, as well as increase product performance. Soy’s versatility lends itself to being an ingredient in many different products, including rubber, fiber, coatings, solvents, plastics, cosmetics, lubricants and adhesives.

Responding to the need for green options

By using soybean oil or meal as a replacement for petrochemicals, product manufacturers are answering the call for more environmentally friendly products. As an added bonus, manufacturers often find there are performance benefits to using soy-based ingredients, such as increased lubricity, slower evaporation rates and improved water resistance.

soy lubricant being sprayed on a bike chain

Renewable

Grown each year, soy is a consistent source of green ingredients that are available every year to fulfill manufacturers’ needs.

Sustainable

Sustainably produced soybeans are helping product manufacturers respond to the increasing demand for sustainable products. Soybeans are produced using farming practices that reduce soil erosion and greenhouse gas emissions while increasing energy use efficiency.

Versatile

Producing both oil and meal, soybeans are already providing more options than many ingredients. On top of this soybean oil and meal have characteristics that make them usable in many different applications.

Popping up in more places everyday

From shoes to truck tires, soybeans are finding their way into more products.

fiber used in car upholstery

Fiber

Soy fibers are made using soy proteins. These fibers have been successfully used in filters, tissues, bandages, and foam for applications like seat cushions.
close up of fiber rubber tire tread

Rubber

Soybean oil has improved the flexibility of rubber tires and enhanced traction. This soy-based technology is also being used in the soles of running shoes.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TIRES

Paints

Oil-based paints can be made by replacing petroleum products with soybean oil, meaning soy-based paints are renewable products.

Adhesives

Soy-based adhesives use soybean meal to replace formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Cancer Research.

Explore other soybean uses

flock of chickens

FEED

Feed: Soybeans in animal agriculture

As a source of quality protein, soybeans are an important part of feed rations. Pigs, poultry, cattle and even fish enjoy soybean meal.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FEED
farmer filling tractor with biodiesel fuel

FUEL

Fuel: Soybeans as a fuel source

Biodiesel can be made from soybean oil, making this biofuel a renewable fuel. Missouri is a national leader in biodiesel production. Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine, and is environmentally friendly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BIOFUELS
Donuts in front of high oleic soybean oil

FOOD

Food: Soybeans in human consumption

Versatile, low in cholesterol and high in protein and other nutrients, soy foods can be a part of a healthy diet. There are many ways to add soybeans to any meal or snack from soymilk to soy-based protein and everything in between.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FOOD