In Des Moines, Iowa, a division of AGRI Industries is marketing the first soybean-based hydraulic oil, BioSoy. Although it costs about double what petroleum-based hydraulic fluids cost, it offers the advantages of a higher flash point and less environmental toxicity in the event of a spill. AURI has been instrumental in helping to bring performance improvements and visibility to soy-based biodiesel. The AURI oils lab conducted research last winter as part of a biodiesel blend test in Minneapolis snowplows, and has also supported the U.S. Bureau of Mines in testing biodiesel in underground mining engines. Market segments for soy-based solvents include metal cleaning, precision cleaning, electronics and resin, elastomer, coating and ink removal.
Consumer products utilizing methyl soyate are already in retail markets.
These products range from car care products to hand cleaners and paint strippers. Ag Innovation News, like many other printed items, utilizes soy-based inks. Printing inks consist of pigments, solvents, resinous binders and performance additives. Soy's growth potential is mainly in resinous binders, which affix the ink to the printed surface, and performance additives. Lithography, used to print books, magazines, envelopes, stationery and phone books, is the soybean industry's highest priority.