17 - Biobased Products from Soybeans

Abstract

Soybean Oil (SBO) and Soybean Meal (SBM) are two such resources capable of meeting the need for fuels and bio-based products. Growing consumer and political interests are intent on achieving high contents of bio-based materials in consumer goods to meet increasing expectations for sustainability and use of renewable resources. Along with these consumer and legislative trends, more stringent environmental standards, increased ability to deliver improved performance properties, and more cost-effective chemical conversion processes are driving increased usage of soybean products as feedstock and materials for industrial products. From 1999-2007, worldwide production of SBM increased from approximately 108-150 Million Metric Tons (MMT) and SBO increased from 25-35 MMT. Ending stocks for SBO fluctuated around 2.5-3 MMT but meal stocks rose to as high as 6.8 MMT from ending stocks of 4.1 MMT in 1999. These factors provide incentive to develop new materials from Soybeans (SB), which can create new markets for this important crop. This chapter discusses bio-based products from soybean protein and SBO.