June 20, 1996

Contacts:
Deland Myers, Food Science and Human Nutrition, (515) 294-5216
Ed Adcock, Agriculture Information, (515) 294-2314

EDITOR'S NOTE: This release was provided to the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board for its annual Soybean Supplement.

SOYBEANS AND CORN MAY FILL LUMBER GAP, SAY ISU RESEARCHERS

AMES, Iowa -- Soybeans and corn may become a viable alternative for lumber in homes of the future, say Iowa State University researchers.

Several research efforts at the Center for Crops Utilization Research are revisiting the use of soybean adhesives and adding the new concept of biocomposites.

There is a growing shortage of quality lumber available to the construction industry, said Deland Myers, an associate professor of food science and human nutrition. Alternative building materials could be produced from fibrous plant material, such as corn stalks or wheat straw.

"Some advocates suggest that bonding these materials, called biocomposites, with soybean protein-based 'renewable' adhesives could improve their acceptance if performance characteristics such as strength and water resistance are not compromised," he said.

Soybean adhesives had been used in the early 1900s, but they had strength and durability problems. With funding from the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board, ISU researchers began looking again at the feasibility of soy adhesives. An advantage of using soybeans is the elimination of formaldehyde, a probable carcinogen, that has been reported to be released by urea formaldehyde-based adhesives used in building products.

Researchers at ISU and six other institutions are looking for ways to improve the water resistance of soy adhesives. Projects, which look at soybean adhesives alone and in combination with synthetic resins, are underway at Texas A & M University, the University of Arkansas, the University of Illinois, the University of Nebraska, the University of Wisconsin (USDA Forest Service) and the University of Minnesota at Duluth.

Myers said the current market for adhesives is estimated at two billion pounds, one billion each for indoor and outdoor applications, which would represent a significant market for use of soy protein. Possible markets for these types of boards are being investigated.

A number of adhesive companies have requested information and formulations for the adhesives being tested, Myers said.

"What is encouraging is that adhesive companies are interested in the research," he said. "As soon as something is found that works, technology transfer will be rapid because they are working with us."

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