Illinois Soybean Association Announces 2026 SpringBoard Challenge Winners

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) announced the 2026 winners of the SpringBoard Challenge at the Illinois Innovation Network Conference, which was held at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

The 2026 SpringBoard Challenge targets five critical sustainability categories where soy-based inputs can displace petrochemicals: Bioplastics, Lubricants, PFAS Substitutes, Biopolymers and Innovative Soy Products on the Farm.

Five research project proposals were recommended by the SpringBoard Technical Advisory Committee and approved by the ISA Board.

The winning proposals are as follows:

Soy-Based Edible Dog Bone Chew for Dog & Whistle Corp
Mahdi Vaezi, Northern Illinois University Bioplastics Lab, and Eric Adams, Dog & Whistle Corp.
Co-Production of Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Polymer Resins and Pigments from Food and Ag Processing Byproducts
Alec Brewer, CEO, Aaron Schaller, CTO, and Finn Sterling, Lead Process Engineer, Ourobio (based in Long Island, involving the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
Soy Protein-Based Spray Coatings for Sustainable Produce Preservation
Mahdi Vaezi, Ph.D., NIU; Punit Kohli, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ruplal Choudhary, SIUC
Proof-of-Concept Development of a Soy-Derived Biocomposite Acoustic Ceiling Panels as Sustainable Alternatives to Mineral Fiber Tiles
Pranshoo Solanki, Illinois State University, Jun-Hyun Kim, ISU, Colling Loeffler, Loeffler Farms (feedstock supplier)
Soy-Derived Aromatic–Aliphatic Copolyesters for Round Bale Film Applications: A Manganese–Ionic Liquid Catalyst Platform for High-Performance, Biodegradable Agricultural Plastics
Ezinne C. Achinivu-Ibagere University of Illinois Chicago, Taiwo Z. Adesanya, UIC, Matthew Gaughn, UIC, Jim Martin, American Soybean Association National Director, Jeff O’Connor ISA At-Large Director

An initiative of ISA’s Soy Innovation Center, the challenge is designed to find new uses for soy by identifying and supporting early-stage innovations in soy-based, non-food applications. The Illinois Innovation Network (IIIN) co-sponsors the challenge with the Center.

“The 2026 SpringBoard Challenge winners are exploring exciting new applications for soy across a range of industries,” said Todd Main, ISA’s Director of Market Development. “These innovative projects demonstrate the versatility of soy and have the potential to open new markets that strengthen demand and profitability for soybean farmers.”