By Andi Anderson
The 31st annual Student Soybean Innovation Competition, held at Purdue University and sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Alliance, awarded over $35,000 to student teams who developed creative soy-based products.
The grand prize of $20,000 went to SoyShield, a lab-grade and food-grade film that is self-adhesive, highly elastic, and 100% biodegradable. It is designed to seal chemical containers in labs and can also be used at home as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap.
“When I started engineering, I actually thought I wanted to be a biomedical engineer, but now that I’m in the ABE department, especially through this competition, I’ve realized that there’s so much opportunity for growth around farming,” Eckhardt told Hoosier Ag Today. “And so, I’m actually working on a farm this summer, which I don’t even think I would have started doing if I hadn’t had the opportunity to do this competition.”
The second-place team earned $10,000 for creating SoySleek, a soy-based shampoo bar made with natural ingredients that maintain hair’s natural oils and shine. It’s designed to be chemical-free, eco-friendly, and long-lasting.
The third prize of $5,000 was awarded to PuraSoy, a multi-purpose pad made entirely from soy-based materials. This soft and durable pad is safe for use on skin, glassware, and dishes.
A special $500 People’s Choice Award, renamed in memory of Dr. Rodolfo Pinal, went to SoyCare. This soy-based diaper is a cost-effective and biodegradable solution to meet rising demand for sustainable baby care products.
This year, the Indiana Soybean Alliance also introduced a new soy-based food product track to the competition. These student-led innovations reflect the expanding possibilities for soy in real-world applications.
Photo Credits:purdue-university
Categories: Indiana, Crops, Soybeans, Education