Results of a recent peer-reviewed study funded by the United Soybean Board (USB) confirm why manufacturers increasingly turn to U.S. soy in green chemistry for a wide variety of environmentally friendly products.

The Life Cycle Impact of Soybean Production and Soy Industrial Products study updated the U.S. Department of Energy's life-cycle inventory (LCI) databases for soybean production and processing with data from 2001-2007. Previously, the databases had been based on research done between 1998 and 2001. Additionally, researchers conducted a Life Cycle Impact Analysis (LCIA) for conversion of soybeans into soy polyol, methyl soyate, soy lube base stock and soy resin, using the updated LCI data.

These LCIAs show the soy-based feedstocks each significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and cut the use of petroleum compared with similar petrochemical-based products.

"This profile is the first comprehensive life-cycle study covering U.S. soybean production through four major biobased products," says USB Director John Cooper, a soybean farmer from Wynne, Ark. "U.S. soy already delivers environmental and energy benefits. It's exciting to see the trends point to even more in the future."

The study also provides proof soy-based products manufacturers can use to demonstrate their products' sustainability to customers, says Shelly West, Sales Manager for Polyols for BioBased Technologies . In conducting the LCIA for soy polyols, researchers compared production data for Agrol , a soy-based polyol made by Biobased Technologies, with five petrochemical-based polyols. Polyols are used in coatings, adhesives, sealants and foams.

"One of our biggest challenges has been determining the best way to present the benefits of Agrol to the marketplace," says West. "The LCIA will help our customers demonstrate a measurable, verifiable benefit to the environment, which directly ties in to the replacement of petroleum-based polyols with Agrol."

USB's New Uses program continues to help increase the use of U.S. soy as a renewable ingredient in a diverse group of biobased products. Over the years, USB funding has helped bring hundreds of sustainable soy-based products to the marketplace. Just a few examples include biodiesel that fuels diesel-powered vehicles and equipment, resins that go into the exterior panels of farm machinery, spray foam insulation for buildings, and industrial- and consumer-grade lubricants.

Omni Tech International, Ltd., conducted the study for USB, and Four Elements, LLC, performed the life-cycle assessment modeling. A group of international reviewers verified that the project was performed in accordance with International Organization for Standardization 14040 Life Cycle Requirements.

To view the results of the study, click here. For more information on the sustainability benefits of U.S. soy, visit www.soybiobased.org/sustainability.

USB is made up of 68 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.