The It’s Sustainably Soy program is one of many forward-thinking initiatives housed within the Illinois Soybean Association’s Soybean Innovation Center, a hub dedicated to driving new markets for sustainable soy-based products. It’s Sustainably Soy helps businesses demonstrate their commitment to renewable, soy-based solutions.

It’s Sustainably Soy launched in August 2023. Less than two years later, the program boasts more than 63 Sustainably Certified products, each of which must meet the standards outlined by the USDA’s BioPreferred® Program. To be certified, the percentage of soy used in the company’s products must be comparable to the minimum standards outlined in the BioPreferred® Program.

Farmers can play a key role in growing this movement by inviting companies to explore It’s Sustainably Soy certification. If you know a business that could benefit from this program, encourage them to learn more and apply at www.ilsoy.org/soycertification/.

Learn more about the 15 Sustainably Certified companies and the products they offer.

Al Warren Oil Co. Inc.

Al Warren Oil incorporates soy-based lubricants into its product lines. These soy-based products are derived from renewable soybean oil and are part of the Sustainably Certified product lineup:

• Engine Oils: High-performance lubricants suitable for various engine types, providing superior wear protection and improved fuel economy.
• Hydraulic Fluids: Eco-friendly alternatives for hydraulic systems, ensuring efficient operation and reduced environmental impact.
• Gear Oils: Lubricants designed for gearboxes and other machinery, offering excellent friction reduction and durability.
• Greases: Multi-purpose greases that provide long-lasting lubrication for various applications, enhancing equipment longevity and performance.

Learn more at www.alwarrenoil.com.

Ashland Inc.

Ashland’s transformed vegetable oil (TVO) innovation platform offers new options to the world of soybean oil-based additives. All TVO products are biodegradable, nature-derived, non-GMO, vegan and non-microplastic, offering sustainable solutions for personal care applications.

Ashland’s Sustainably Certified products include:

• Antaron™ soja glyceride is a film former with water resistance, SPF boosting, pigment wetting and long-wear transfer resistance for use in sun care and cosmetics.
• Softhance™ mr conditioning agent is a conditioning agent with an excellent deposition profile from rinse-off hand, body and facial cleansers that provides skin moisture retention and consumer-perceivable skin softness.
• Gantrez™ soja delivery system is a delivery that is substantive to oral mucosa and enamel to retain oral care activities in the mouth for long-lasting benefits.
• TVO products offer flexibility in the use of vegetable oils, allowing for environmentally and socially conscious decisions with respect to the sourcing of oils.

“We are proud to partner with the Illinois Soybean Association, whose recognition of our innovative soy-based solutions speaks to our commitment to sustainable progress. Sustainably certifying our products strengthens our commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) innovation. Soy-based products, when responsibly sourced, support this vital initiative and contribute to a healthier lifestyle for future generations.”

Learn more at www.ashland.com.

Clean City Innovations LLC

“Being a Sustainably Certified company is important as it reinforces our core value of providing highly effective solutions while protecting people and the environment. Clean City Pro offers highly effective next-generation soy-based eco-friendly graffiti removers. We seek to eliminate the trade-off between product effectiveness and safety. We are committed to bringing the best, safest and most effective innovative green graffiti removers to transit agencies, public works, school districts, park districts, property management and more.”

Clean City Innovations LLC’s Sustainably Certified products include:

• Clean City Pro Red Label Heavy Duty Graffiti Remover
• Clean City Pro Blue Label Gel Heavy Duty Graffiti Remover

Learn more at www.cleancitypro.com.

Cottage Goods

Cottage Goods began making its own soy candles to reduce soot and toxins in the home in 2000. Twenty-five years later, they continue to expand their offerings and explore natural alternatives for products that are used in people’s homes and on their skin.

Cottage Goods’ Sustainably Certified products include:

• Hand-poured Soy Candles and Melts (to use in warmers)
• Natural lotions

Learn more at www.cottagegoods.com.

EDEN Concept Fill

“We’re privileged to be included as a Sustainably Certified company. We created Cellyfill as a fully sustainable cushion material which can be easily made from soy hulls. Cellyfill is scalable because it’s cellulose-based, is a byproduct of soy, and therefore has worldwide implications for converting a waste product to cushion fill. In other words, this is an extremely highvalue use of a soy byproduct, leading to great economies of scale for the entire soy industry.”

EDEN Cellyfill offers the following Sustainably Certified product:

• Cellyfill

Learn more at www.eden-cellyfill.com.

Farm to Wick LLC

“We choose soy wax for its obvious health benefits and its friendliness to our environment. But, deeper than that, we have deep roots in the farming industry and wanted a product that would support our local farmers and the agricultural industry. Knowing our products are Sustainably Certified shows our clients we care about creating high-quality products that are deemed top of the market and proves our dedication to keeping our customers healthy and safe.”

Farm to Wick’s Sustainably Certified products include:

• Candles
• Wax melts
• Lip balm

Learn more at www.farmtowick.com.

Franmar Inc.

“Franmar was interested in the It’s Sustainably Soy certification because the program aligns with our core values. For 40 years, we have developed products that rely on American-grown soybeans rather than harsh, dangerous chemicals. We want people to be able to undertake cleaning and restoration projects without risking their health or harming the environment. Receiving this recognition from the ISA is a way of reinforcing those values. As consumers demand more environmentally friendly practices and products, being Sustainably Certified helps Franmar stand out in support of those principles in a crowded, competitive marketplace.”

Franmar’s Sustainably Certified products include:

• BLUE BEAR Soy Gel
• BLUE BEAR Soy Gel Spray
• BLUE BEAR Soy Gel 600GL
• BLUE BEAR Soy Gel Spray 610GL
• BLUE BEAR Hard Surface Graffiti Remover
• BLUE BEAR Porous Surface Graffiti Remover
• BLUE BEAR Hard Surface Graffiti Remover 680HS
• BLUE BEAR Porous Surface Graffiti Remover 682PS
• BLUE BEAR Bean Mastic Remover
• BLUE BEAR Bean 500MR Mastic Remover
• BLUE BEAR Ickee Stickee Unstuck Adhesive Remover
• BLUE BEAR Ickee Stickee Unstuck 740AD Adhesive Remover
• Franmar Ickee Stickee Unstuck Adhesive Remover
• BLUE BEAR BEAN Asphalt Remover
• BLUE BEAR BEAN 300RE Asphalt Remover
• BLUE BEAR BEAN 360AR Asphalt Release
• BLUE BEAR Concrete Form Release 800GP
• Franmar BEAN Plastisol Ink Remover
• Franmar Greeneway Ink Remover
• Franmar UV Ink Remover
• Franmar Wash Away Solvent Ink Remover
• Franmar D Haze; Franmar D Haze Gel
• Franmar Haze Remover ES

Learn more at www.franmar.com.

HempWood

HempWood offers sustainable flooring and lumber to its customers. Its products are made with soy flour adhesives, which are a natural replacement for formaldehyde and phenol-based resins.

“By having our flooring and lumber Sustainably Certified, we provide our customers with even more transparency and in return, our customers can feel confident in selecting the right materials for their home.”

HempWood’s Sustainably Certified products include:

• HempWood Lumber
• HempWood Natural Flooring

Learn more at www.hempwood.com.

Lilaque

“As the first and only soy-based nail polish brand, obtaining sustainability certification was a natural step for Lilaque. This achievement aligns perfectly with our mission to provide eco-friendly solutions for consumers who care about both the environment and their well-being.”

Lilaque is proud to offer the following Sustainably Certified product:

• Gel nail polish

Learn more at www.lilaquenails.com.

Low Mu Tech

“We are glad to be representing American soybean farmers in the production and development of innovative technologies that are soy protein-based. The products we offer provide the opportunity for increased net revenue per acre for all farmers who choose to use a cleaner, safer soy product represented by NewFields Ag. Our products allow the soybean farmer to touch their checkoff dollars at work–and not have to eat a graphite sandwich while planting. One of the many benefits to our planterbox products is the products having a soy protein foundation, which gives the farmer using our product the flexibility to treat seed months ahead of time, knowing the biology will still be strong and effective when the seed is planted.

Low Mu Tech is proud to offer the following Sustainably Certified product:

• Low Mu Tech DUST

Learn more at www.lowmutech.com.

Natural Soy Products

Grown and engineered in the heartland, Natural Soy Products offers renewable, reliable non-toxic lubricants and cleaners.

Their Sustainably Certified products include:

• Graffiti remover/paint stripper – California DOT Approved Product
• Gearhead 5th wheel grease pads
• Gearhead penetration lubrication oil
• Asphalt remover
• Adhesive remover
• Concrete form oil
• Railroad rail lubrication stick

Learn more at www.natsoy.com.

Solvent Systems International Inc.

As a Sustainably Certified company, Solvent Systems International (SSI) believes that using soy-based products encourages innovation in the market for more sustainable products and opens doors to new markets and customers. Using soy enhances its trust with customers and employees.

SSI’s Sustainably Certified products include:

• Aqua Soy Water Dilutable Degreaser
• Soy Methyl Ester
• Soy Graffiti Remover
• Soy Ultrasolve Degreaser
• Soy Crude Glycerin
• Soy Refined Glycerin
• Soy Glycerin Dust Control
• Soy Glycerin Ice Melt
• Soy Mastic Remover

Learn more at www.solvent-systems.com.

Vertec BioSolvents, Inc.

Vertec is a manufacturer of sustainable, safe, biobased green solvents and solvent blends. The VertecBio Gold® product line is ideal for paint strippers, graffiti removers, heavy asphalt cleaners and degreasers.

Their Sustainably Certified products include:

• VertecBio Gold #1EG
• VertecBio Gold #2EG
• VertecBio Gold #3EG
• VertecBio Gold #4EG

Learn more at www.vertecbiosolvents.com.

Wax Buffalo LLC

Wax Buffalo is a woman-owned home goods brand nestled in the heart of the Midwest. They use 100% domestically sourced soy wax to create their candles.

Wax Buffalo offers the following Sustainably Certified products:

• Pure soy wax candles

Learn more at www.waxbuffalo.com.