2023
Research and Development of Soy Adhesives for Structural HempWood
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Contributor/Checkoff:
United Soybean Board
Category:
Industrial
Keywords:
AdhesivesIndustrial UsesWater resistanceWood
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Greg Wilson, Fibonacci, LLC
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
23-101-D-C-1-G
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
United Soybean Board
$98,796
Institution Funded:
Fibonacci, LLC
$98,796
Brief Project Summary:
A brand new soy/hemp composite needs to be created in order to access a market opportunity that is 20-times that of the current flooring products. To achieve this new product, soy flour and/or soy oil derivatives will be formulated with commercial polyurethanes, polyacrylics or epoxy resins in order to create thermoset with enhanced mechanical properties and water resistance. HempWood® is in the perfect position to explore expansion into this marketplace as they have demonstrated success in the flooring market and will expand to two additional factories within the next three years.
Information And Results
Project Summary

Project Objectives

Project Deliverables

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Our project has been successful in researching and developing a soy based glue on a lab scale to make structural HempWood. We have taken these samples and began testing them according to ASTM standards with promising results. We are currently exploring the market for these products and researching the soy based glue application methods.

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

As a team lead by farmers (all 5 managers/owners) we see many benefits to the Soybean Farmers of the United States. Our pilot plant in Murray, KY currently buys soy flour by the truck load to make HempWood flooring. Our production is doubling every year and continues to consume more soy flour. Our new USB project to develop structural HempWood has a total addressable market 20 times greater than flooring and there for should consume tens of millions of pounds of soy flour per year. In addition, the soy adhesive technology will be transferable to wood processes and have a multiplier effect on the use of soy as an alternative to formaldehyde in the engineered wood category. Thank you to all the farmers who support our research and development at HempWood.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.