Soy-Based Sealant Provides Superior Waterproofing and Aids the Green-Building Movement

Ever-increasing concerns over the environmental impacts of pollution, off-gassing of chemical compounds and misuse of natural resources have prompted the move toward "green" buildings. These buildings incorporate materials that promote conservation of resources while providing healthier spaces for people to live and work in. Green Products, LLC manufactures various products that help in achieving the green-building goal. They have partnered with the United Soybean Board (USB) and the soybean checkoff to produce Environmental Liquid Membrane System (ELMS) Agriseal 1 (AG1), a soy-based waterproofing sealant typically used in tandem with other ELMS roofing products.

"Agriseal is a direct replacement for fibrous single-component urethanes used as sealants," said Grant Grable, Green Products, LLC. "Our company's mission is to not only replace but outperform petroleum building products with environmentally friendly, biobased solutions made from agricultural oils and specifically the use of soy polymer chemistry."

AG1 is a ready-to-use bulk grade product sold in 5-gallon pails used in large masonry or roofing applications. It's available in three standard colors - white, gray and tan - with custom colors available on request. The sealant provides key benefits, including low volatile organic compound levels (2.57 lbs/gal.) and ultraviolet resistance (meets ASTM 822 standard). It is 100 percent stain, mildew and mold resistant (tested using ASTM D 3273). It is also environmentally friendly and provides outstanding elongation properties with low permeability.

Application of AG1 is done using a trowel or bulk-grade caulk gun and can be applied even at low temperatures. However, temperatures below 32°F may require the use of a trowel only, since temperatures at or below 32°F can affect the viscosity of the product. Coverage ranges from 84 linear ft./gal. (1 inch wide x 1 inch deep bead) to 336 linear ft./gal. (1/4 inch wide x 1/4 deep bead). The sealant is dry to the touch in about 2 hours (at 75° F (24° C) and 50 percent relative humidity) and reaches final cure in 24 to 36 hours. AG1 can be applied without using a primer and cleans up with mineral spirits.

As part of its commitment to green buildings, Green Products LLC. can provide U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) documentation and advice toward achieving LEED certification. ELMS Agriseal 1 sealant is just one of the many products manufactured by Green Products, LLC that can help reach this goal.

Learn more about new uses for soy-based products by visiting USB at www.unitedsoybean.org/newuses. For more information on Green Products, LLC and its products, visit www.greenproducts.net.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
ELMS Agriseal 1 (AG1)
This chart adapted from Green Products, LLC. Web site.

PROPERTY	VALUE	TEST METHOD
Viscosity	20,000+ cps	ASTM D 2196
Volume Solids Content, min.	99%	ASTM D 1644
Flash Point, min.	Mineral Spirits 314-390F
Wet Adhesion, galvanized	4.1	ASTM C 794/ D 903
Low-temperature flexibility	No loss of adhesion or cracking. Unaffected	ASTM C 734
Permeability	3	ASTM 1653
Ultraviolet Exposure10,000 hrs. UV and Moisture	No cracking, checking, loss of flexibility or discoloration	ASTM 822
Water Swelling (73.4 F, 20 mil dry film, 168 hours)	0.8	ASTM D 471
VOC	2.57 lbs. per gallon
Mold, Mildew, Bacteria, Algae Resistance	100%	ASTM D 3273
Sag Resistance	.3 inch	ASTM D 4400
Tear Resistance (Die C) lbf/in	96.9	ASTM D 624
Initial Elongation @ 73 F, %	800%	ASTM D 2370
Initial Tensile Strength @ 73 F, psi	306	ASTM D 2370

Keeping the Home Fires Burning with Bioheat Heating your home just got even more expensive. The average price of No. 2 heating oil is higher than ever and is expected to continue to rise as the cost of petroleum-based products soars. The cost of heating oil has a huge impact on consumers, both domestic and commercial, as more than 9 million Americans use No. 2 heating oil to warm their homes, consuming 6.7 billion gallons of No. 2 oil per year. Bioheat, a soy-based heating oil developed by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and funded with help from the soybean checkoff and other key industry players, now has an opening in this lucrative market and is giving consumers a green alternative for heat. Bioheat is a registered trademark that identifies a heating fuel product that includes a blend of 5 percent biodiesel fuel with No. 2 home heating oil and that meets ASTM D396 and ASTM D6751 specifications. The Bioheat trademark can be used by NBB members and is available to other marketers by contacting the National Oilheat Research Alliance. This clean-burning product is better for the environment and for home heating systems. Along with these benefits, Bioheat will help reduce the need of more than 300 million gallons of petroleum-based fuel each year. Bioheat studies have been conducted by several companies and research facilities, including the following: Brookhaven National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Lab, Massachusetts Oilheat Council, Abbott & Mills Oil Company, NOCO Energy Corp., New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the National Oilheat Research Institute. These studies benchmarked various aspects of Bioheat and biodiesel blends as home heating oil products and demonstrated the functionality of Bioheat as a home and commercial heating option. Key Findings Nitrogen oxide emissions reduced by 20 percent Sulfur oxide emissions lowered by up to 83 percent (20 percent blend) Smoke numbers lowered (zero burn for Bioheat = level three burn for No. 2 heating oil) Odor of middle distillates reduced Fuel lubricity enhanced Higher flashpoint than conventional No. 2 Bioheat Benefits from Biodiesel Biodiesel is completely miscible with middle distillate fuels Biodiesel has higher than average cetane (50 vs. 40) Pure (100 percent) biodiesel has a BTU content 7 to 9 percent lower than No. 2 distillate fuel (at current 5 percent blend, effect is negligible in BioHeat) Biodiesel is 10 times less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar Biodiesel does not contain any nitrogen or aromatics Biodiesel is virtually sulfur-free, making Bioheat more clean burning FAQ about Bioheat Q. Does Bioheat dissolve sediment already in tanks? A. Biodiesel has a tendency to dissolve or loosen some sediment, but this is dependent on the blend concentration. It is unlikely that Bioheat would plug an oil burner filter, strainer or nozzle at the 5 percent blend ratio. Tests in blend levels up to 20 percent had clogging 2 percent of the time. Once the system was cleaned, the systems returned to normal, and filter clogging was reduced. Q. Which oil tanks are compatible with Bioheat? A. Up to a 20 percent blend should have no effect on oil tanks and systems. For blends over 20 percent, only steel, mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, fluorinated polyethylene, fluorinated polypropylene and fiberglass vessels are recommended. Tanks and pipes made of brass, bronze, copper, lead, tin and zinc may cause high sediment formation and are not recommended. Q. Are there storage handling precautions? A. The same precautions used in conventional heating oil also apply to Bioheat. Store the fuel in clean, dry, dark environments. If no additives are being used, it's recommended to use Bioheat within six months of purchasing it. Q. Does Bioheat work in commercial boilers or power generators? A. Commercial boilers utilize more gallons of heating oil per hour than home units, but they both have the same fundamental considerations for heating applications. The advantages and procedures for Bioheat apply to both home and commercial heating. Q. What are the effects of cold weather on Bioheat? A. Bioheat has cold-weather properties similar to No. 2 heating oil. Bioheat blends with up to 20 percent biodiesel may increase the cold-flow properties 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold-flow properties can be enhanced by blending the fuel with kerosene, using pour-point depressants or planning storage according to whether inside protection or tank heating elements are utilized. As the market for energy resources continues to fluctuate, there is no way to forecast what the price of home heating oil will be in the future, but Bioheat is meeting the accelerating demand for a homegrown, environmentally friendly fuel product. For more information about Bioheat, including specifics on research, prices, distributors and more, please visit www.biodiesel.org/bioheat. To learn more about soy-based products, visit the USB's Soy Products Guide online at www.unitedsoybean.org/newuses.

Industry and Government Demand for Soy-Based Products Spurs Development ABOUT THE PHOTO: Courtesy of Cooper Power Systems With new product designations from the Federal Biobased Products Preferred Procurement Program and more consumers demanding environmentally safe product alternatives to petroleum, usage of soy-based products is on the rise. The United Soybean Board (USB) and the soybean checkoff continue the commitment to partner with industry to fund the development of innovative soy-based-product research. Nineteen new soy-based products in USB's priority areas of plastics, lubricants, adhesives, coatings and specialty products were commercialized in 2005 thanks in part to the checkoff and continuing research efforts from private industry, universities and research institutions across the country. "We continue to increase funding for soy technology that we believe will meet the needs of industrial and general consumers," says Todd Allen, Chair of USB's New Uses Committee. "Thanks to the efforts of our research partners, universities and government agencies on environmental issues, we are able to produce quality products made from soybeans and are making consumers more aware of soy-based products." Soy-based plastics hold great potential for soybeans as soy-based polyols tend to be highly versatile. In 2005 four versions of Ashland Specialty Chemical Company's ENVIREZ, a soy-based thermoset polyester resin, have been adapted in high-performing applications. John Deere and Case New Holland used the technology to unveil a low-profile thermoset sheet molding compound from ENVIREZ for tractor hoods and covers. Other companies using ENVIREZ include Green Products Inc. for specialty-filament-wound tanks. Fabri Glass is using the polyol in vacuum bags, and Permay created a thermoset modified polyester for spray-up application in large painting and packaging parts. Two additional examples of soy-based plastic intermediates created this year include: Agrol by BioBased Technologies, which is a soy-based polyol product containing functionalities of 1.8, 2.8, 3.0 and 4.0, which can be used in a variety of applications from flexible to case and rigid foams. Soyol by Urethane Soy Systems Company is a polyol product that will specifically reduce viscosities, acid and/or odors in plastics. In the lubricants market, Cooper Power Systems and Cargill Industrial Oils and Lubricants created Envirotemp FR3 Fluid, a soy-based transformer oil that reduces the risk of transformer fires and extends transformer life over conventional, petroleum-based dielectric fluids. This soy-based fluid is renewable and has a reduced environmental impact if there is a spill. More than 10 electric co-ops around the country have picked up on this technology. Turning to adhesives, Oregon State University with Cargill worked with Hercules Inc. and Columbia Forest Products to create a new adhesive product this year called Kymene. Soy flour with Kymene creates a paste resin for marketing plywood. Kymene hopes to lessen the environmental impact of the company's hardwood plywood manufacturing operations. Three new products came from the coatings market in 2005. First, Green Products Inc.'s Agro Seal, a soy-based caulking compound. Second, Southern Diversified Products and the U.S. Marine Corps have created and are using soy-based wear and crease-resistant textiles. Finally, Green Products created an Environmental Liquid Membrane System, or ELMS, Natural Metal Jacket - a soy-based metal coating Eight unique specialty products were brought to the market last year in cooperation with USB, including: BioSpan Technologies unique asphalt applications: Activate, a methyl soyate asphalt millings activator, and Replay, a methyl soyate pavement restorer. Emulsified Oil Substrate by Industrial & Environmental Services, an emulsified soy oil for bioremediation of chlorinated solvents/perchlorates. Purrge, a methyl soyate recycled paper pulp cleaner by Cesco Solutions. Soyfast, a general-purpose cleaner concentrate, by Soy Technologies, utilizing methyl soyate. Soygreen 5000, a methyl soyate parts cleaner concentrate, by Soy Technologies. Soygreen 6000, a methyl soyate adhesive remover, by Soy Technologies. Soy Stop, a graffiti-remover system, by Soy Technologies using methyl soyate. "Over the past five years, we have seen a steady increase in the amount of soybean oil used in industrial products," says Allen. "We are predicting a 15 percent increase - from 81 million last year to 93 million in 2006 - in the amount of soybean oil used in industrial products. We are expecting this number to grow exponentially as industry and government continue to realize the value of soy-based technology." For more information on USB, the soybean checkoff and soy-based products, please visit the Soy Products Guide online at www.unitedsoybean.org/newuses.

Soy-Based Coatings Have the Petroleum Market Covered More than 15 years ago, soy-based coatings hit the market in the form of soy ink in newspapers throughout the United States. Since that time, 90 percent of the America's 1,500 daily newspapers use soy ink in their presses. From that success, soy-based coatings, such as wood and concrete stains, caulking and other building products, have been developed and are making a mark on consumers. Thanks in part to research and funding from the United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff, soy-based coatings have shown their versatility in new applications, including ultraviolet and electron beam curing, roof coatings and faux finishing in building artwork. "The United Soybean Board has been at the forefront for well over a decade in developing soy-based coatings, particularly soy inks," says Todd Allen, chair of USB's New Uses Committee. "Thanks to the support of our industry partners, we can proudly say that we are beginning to make an impact in new coatings markets beyond soy ink. Now we are looking to products like stains and roof coatings to make a big splash in the near future, particular in the building industry." Soybean oil is the most readily available and one of the most cost-effective vegetable oils in the world today. For many years, soybean oil has been a major ingredient in making alkyd resins, which are dissolved in carrier solvents to make oil-based paints. With the growing popularity of latex, or waterborne paints the market for alkyd resins made from soybean oil has declined, particularly in the area of architectural coatings. USB was not dissuaded by the success of latex paints. Instead, the organization focused on developing three specialized areas using soybean derivatives: creating stable, waterborne architectural coatings; finding high-performance, volatile organic compound (VOC)-free coatings for industrial applications; and developing new 100 percent solids powder coatings. All projects currently funded by USB target the use of soybean oil chemically modified in some manner. Complementary work is being funded to modify soybean oil for use in making new printing-ink formulations, such as ink toner for computer printer cartridges. Soy-based ink and coating successes in specific markets include: Architectural uses - The majority of USB research projects have focused on developing soy-based compounds useful in making architectural paints. Various methods of modifying soy are being examined, with expected differences in how soy oil will be used, from an additive in existing latex formulations to a completely novel polymer formulation based on soy oil. Coalescing aids - Current latex systems require the use of a coalescing aid as an additive to enhance the film-forming properties in the cured paint. Many of the current coalescing aids add to the emission of VOCs from latex paints. Work funded by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and USB has led to the commercialization of a soy-oil-based additive that coalesces latex coating systems while reducing VOCs in interior and exterior paints. The Archer Daniels Midland Company has launched the product for use in finished latex paints. The new product is designed to replace current alcohols and glycol ethers, which are popular coalescing aids. Resin products - Researchers at Eastern Michigan Coating Research Institute have demonstrated significant progress in alleviating yellowing deterioration in soy-based waterborne latex paints. Compared with 100 percent acrylic formulations the new soy-based resin is equal or better in performance. In addition, no coalescing agent is needed, thereby reducing the VOC levels, and the new soy-based resin is more economical as a replacement to acrylics. The new soy-based resin is currently undergoing market development. Soy inks - Soy ink is beginning to move beyond newspapers as the Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio, has developed a soy-based toner for copy machines and computer printers. Work with other research agencies continues regarding the possibility of soy ink in pens and other writing applications. UV-EB curing - Researchers at Lehigh University are attempting to develop a soybean-oil-based, solventless, UV-EB curable ink for lithography. The research involves placing soybean oil and a hard resin in the presence of a cross-linking monomer cured by UV light. A proprietary photoinitiator is being used. Because the system is solventless, less-expensive pigments can be used, and solvent recovery is not necessary. Thanks to USB and checkoff-funded research, a significant number of soy product ideas have become reality. For example, New Century Coatings has developed a line of soy methyl ester stains and sealers with excellent performance properties. These stains are user friendly with deep penetration to extend the life of many different substrates. This technology has been licensed to Cook Composites and Polymers, and New Century Coatings has begun sales to concrete and wood coating retailers. Niemann and Associates has developed a line of soy-based roof coatings. This technology is currently being marketed by Green Product Inc., a leading marketer of environmentally friendly coatings. The white-pigmented coating reflects heat and is superior to asphalt and waterborne emulsions in energy conservation, thereby earning the coveted Energy Star Approval Label. This one-coat, durable waterproof system is easy to apply. New research is promising and has begun to receive support from major industry players. Soybeans and soybean oil represent a large, stable supply of a natural, renewable raw material. Soybean-oil-based polymers help contribute to the paint industry's major environmental challenge of reducing VOCs and lowering raw material costs. For soy derivatives to regain the share they once enjoyed in the coatings market, paint chemists must first develop new formulations that are both cost-competitive and meet today's performance standards. For more information on soy-based coatings, visit the Soy Products Guide online at www.unitedsoybean.org/newuses.