The Missouri Department of Transportation is putting soy technology to work with sealant from Washington, Mo.-based Biospan Technologies.
Soybeans went to work on one of Missouri’s most-traveled highways today, June 2: U.S. Highway 63. The Missouri Department of Transportation and BioSpan Technologies applied soy-based RePlay® sealant to a two-mile section of the highway as part of a trial in partnership with the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council.
“Addressing challenges our partners and rural communities face while growing markets for soy is key to realizing the bright future for Missouri’s top crop, soybeans,” said Kyle Durham, a farmer and chairman of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council board of directors. “The sealant is an exciting example of the innovation we’re seeing among those developing new uses for soy, and we appreciate the partnership from MODOT in putting this technology to work.”
Staff from the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council met with the Missouri Department of Transportation several times over the past 18 months to discuss the availability of soy-based sealants and rejuvenators, and to explore opportunities for trials of soy-based products on Missouri roads. The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council is using soy checkoff dollars dedicated to research and promotion to purchase the RePlay® sealant from BioSpan Technologies for the purpose of this trial.
“We want to be environmentally responsible as we operate and maintain the state’s transportation system,” said MoDOT District Engineer for Central District Machelle Watkins. “That includes evaluating innovative products and methods that could provide more protection and prevent deterioration of roadways in an ecological way.”
The soy-based sealant trial is in a one-lane section, two miles in length, on northbound U.S. Highway 63, near the intersection with U.S. Highway 124. BioSpan Technologies employees applied the sealant today, while the Missouri Department of Transportation facilitated traffic control and safety measures on-site during the application and as the sealant cured.
The sealant is expected to slow deterioration of the driving surface within the treated sections, potentially delaying repaving and other costly maintenance. The treated asphalt will be specifically monitored for signs of deterioration as compared to untreated asphalt by the Missouri Department of Transportation as part of this trial.
BioSpan Technologies was founded in 1993, by Shel Chesky. Then St. Louis-based, the company grew internationally through a focus on paving technology. Learn more about BioSpan online at biospantech.com.
The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council is a statewide, farmer-led organization working to improve opportunities for Missouri soybean farmers though a combination of research, outreach, education and market development efforts supported by the soy checkoff. Learn more online by exploring mosoy.org.
-30-
Note: An earlier announcement about this partnership mentioned a trial application on U.S. Highway 54 near Eugene. That section was not applied today due to weather.