News

Illinois Soybean Association eyeing new domestic uses with Springboard Challenge

The director of market development for the Illinois Soybean Association says ongoing trade uncertainty makes finding new domestic uses for soy even more critical.

Todd Main says the organization’s checkoff-funded Springboard Challenge is one way they’re trying to build soy demand.

“That’s where we bring together researchers from around the universities in Illinois and give them challenges about specific research problems.”  He says, “This is our second year of doing this, and we’re starting to see some of the fruits of that, and it’s really kind of exciting.”

He tells Brownfield a project with Northern Illinois University has produced a promising bioplastic.

“Which is 95% bio-content, which means that it’s recyclable.”  He says, “You can make plastic utensils from it, so forks and spoons and knives and that kind of stuff. And that’s just the first iteration. We think there’s going to be lots of applications for that.”

He says ISA is also field testing a bio-lubricant made from soy.

“That you can use on heavy equipment, farm machinery and whatnot.”  He says, “That’s going to be available for people to try out in the spring. Those are just two of what we’ve got as a half a dozen things in the pipeline. So, it is very interesting, very exciting, and I think it has some real upside potential.”

Main says investing in diversified uses of soybeans can help build sustainable markets for farmers that are less reliant on geopolitical maneuvering.  

ISA’s 2026 Springboard Challenge took place Wednesday and Thursday in Bloomington. 

Brownfield spoke with Main at the 2026 Commodity Classic.

AUDIO: Todd Main – Illinois Soybean Association