By Andi Anderson
A team of Purdue University students has developed a soy-based adhesive tape that earned top recognition at the Student Soybean Innovation Competition.
Their product, called SoySeal, won the $20,000 grand prize for its innovative design and strong focus on sustainability and agriculture.
SoySeal is composed of 95 percent soybean-sourced materials, making it a renewable alternative to traditional petroleum-based adhesive tapes. The product was created by Purdue students Jocelyn Erickson, Elizabeth Heckaman, and Kasey Wright.
The team designed the tape to meet growing demand for environmentally responsible products while opening new markets for soybeans.
The Student Soybean Innovation Competition challenges students to create new uses for soy-based materials.
Winning projects must show innovation, market potential, and benefits to the soybean industry. SoySeal impressed judges by targeting the multibillion-dollar adhesive tape market with a product that reduces reliance on synthetic plastics.
“By entering a high-growth, multibillion-dollar space with a 95% soy-derived alternative, our product unlocks a scalable opportunity in a high-value market while promoting Indiana’s soybean industry,” Erickson said.
Beyond economic potential, the students also focused on environmental benefits. Traditional adhesive products can contribute to plastic waste and microplastic pollution. SoySeal aims to reduce these risks by using plant-based materials that break down more naturally.
“At the same time, it addresses one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges — reducing the accumulation of microplastics in both our ecosystems and the human body.”
The development of SoySeal demonstrates how agricultural products can support innovation beyond food and feed.
By turning soybeans into industrial materials, researchers and students help expand demand for crops while addressing environmental challenges.
The project highlights the role students play in advancing agricultural sustainability and technology. It also shows how universities support applied research that benefits farmers, industries, and consumers.
SoySeal represents a promising step toward more sustainable materials and new opportunities for the soybean industry. The success of the project reflects the potential of agriculture-based innovations to solve real-world problems and compete in global markets while protecting the environment.
Photo Credit: purdue-university
Categories: Indiana, Education