BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – OCTOBER 27, 2026 – On Thursday, October 22, 2026, 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: 

1. Soy-Based Edible Dog Bone Chew for Dog & Whistle Corp
   Mahdi Vaezi, Northern Illinois University Bioplastics Lab, and Eric Adams, Dog & Whistle Corp.  
2. 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) 
3. Soy Protein-Based Spray Coatings for Sustainable Produce Preservation
   Mahdi Vaezi, Ph.D., NIU; Punit Kohli, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ruplal Choudhary, SIUC 
4. 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) 
5. 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 (IIN) 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.”  

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The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and government relations efforts, while the membership program, Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) and the Illinois Soybean Growers PAC actively advocates for positive and impactful legislation for farmers at local, state and national levels. ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean farmers through promotion, advocacy, research and education with the vision of becoming a trusted partner of Illinois soybean farmers to ensure their profitability now and for future generations. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org and www.ilsoygrowers.com.

The Illinois Innovation Network drives inclusive and integrated research, innovation and economic development across Illinois. It comprises all 12 Illinois public university campuses, plus the Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago and Distillery Labs in Peoria. For more information, visit the IIN website at https://iin.uillinois.edu/. 

MEDIA CONTACT
Betsy Osman
Illinois Soybean Association
betsy.osman@ilsoy.org