Bioasphalt Emerges as a Potential Lifeline for Soybean Farmers

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Researchers at Iowa State University might have discovered a promising solution for soybean farmers who are struggling to find markets for their crops.

The ongoing U.S.-China trade war continues to pose significant challenges for American farmers, particularly with China halting its purchases of U.S. soybeans this September.

Data from China’s General Administration of Customs reveals that imports from the United States have dropped to zero. Meanwhile, China’s soybean imports from Brazil and Argentina have seen an increase.

This marks the first instance since 2018 that China has completely ceased buying U.S. soybeans, a steep decline from the 1.7 million metric tons purchased just last year. As a result, U.S. farmers are left with large quantities of unsold soybeans.

Scientists at the university have an innovative solution in mind. They want to turn soybeans into asphalt and say they have already proved it’s possible.

The discovery happened by accident, when a freshman college student added too much oxygen to a soybean oil mixture.

He noticed the chemicals thickening and creating a sticky substance similar to the composition used in traditional asphalt.

So he, along with professors and advisors, patented the innovation and began thinking of ways to use it to strengthen American roads.

The bioasphalt can be combined with other recycled gravel to create an asphalt substitute or used to add 20 or even 30 more years to the life of a repaved road.

The scientists are rigorously testing different blends to determine the durability and longevity of the bioasphalt under different conditions.

It shows promise as a way to rejuvenate dying roads when sprayed on existing pavement, giving the road a facelift, adding five to seven more years of life, and saving money on construction.

“We have 80,000 miles of unpaved roads in Iowa alone. It’s pretty crazy. So you see pavement everywhere, but the need for new pavement is, is just extreme and ongoing,” said Professor Eric Cochran. “And keeping existing pavement in good shape is also an ongoing headache for departments of transportation.”

The happy accident discovered years ago is already being brought to scale at manufacturing facilities all across the country, and the National Center for Asphalt Technologies is currently in the process of getting it greenlit by more than a dozen departments of transportation across the country.