Soy use expands far beyond food in shoes, tires and firefighting foam

Soy now appears in more than 1,000 nonfood uses, from footwear and tires to artificial turf and firefighting foam. The push matters because soy-based materials can replace petroleum-derived products and reduce exposure to toxic chemicals.

Why it matters: - Soy is replacing materials traditionally made from crude oil in products people use every day. - The shift stretches soy’s value beyond food and animal feed into industrial, consumer and public-safety applications. - Some soy-based products also aim to reduce toxic chemical exposure and offer biodegradable alternatives.

What happened: - The United Soybean Board said soy has more than 1,000 uses beyond food for people and animals. - Brent Renner, an Iowa soybean farmer and United Soybean Board director, highlighted soy use in shoe soles, tires, artificial turf and firefighting foam. - The organization pointed to soy’s presence in products from Skechers, SYNLawn and Goodyear. - The board also cited a soy-based plastic straw made with high oleic soybean oil. - More information is available at USsoy.org.

The details: - Skechers uses soy in the manufacture of shoe soles in more than 170 styles. - SYNLawn has installed millions of square feet of soy-backed artificial grass at athletic fields, golf courses and dog parks. - Goodyear uses soy in its tires. - SoyFoam is a soy-based firefighting foam that is 100% free of toxic PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” - SoyFoam has already been adopted by fire departments across the country. - United Soybean Board developed a biobased plastic straw using high oleic soybean oil. - The straw is soil and marine biodegradable.

Between the lines: - Soy’s nonfood market is expanding because manufacturers are looking for renewable inputs that can replace petroleum-based materials. - Firefighting foam is a notable example because PFAS contamination has become a major environmental and health concern. - The breadth of applications suggests soy is being positioned as a functional ingredient, not just an agricultural commodity.

What’s next: - More manufacturers could adopt soy-based inputs as suppliers look for lower-carbon and less toxic alternatives. - The United Soybean Board is likely to keep promoting soy’s industrial uses to broaden demand beyond traditional markets. - Continued adoption will depend on cost, performance and regulatory pressure on petroleum-based and PFAS-containing products.

The bottom line: - Soy’s biggest growth story may be outside the grocery aisle, where it is moving into products tied to transportation, recreation and public safety.