Sioux Falls roads treated with soy-based concrete sealant developed in South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A partnership between the City of Sioux Falls and the South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (SDSRPC) has produced an environmentally friendly way to build longer-lasting roads using a farmer grown soy-based sealant.

The South Dakota Soybean Checkoff is a soybean farming advocacy fund with a stated mission to drive soy demand through market development, research, and promotion. On September 9, the Soybean Checkoff funded the application of PoreShield on new road construction in Sioux Falls.

PoreShield is a soy-based concrete sealant developed with funding from the Soybean Checkoff, that has been shown to increase the life of the concrete by over 5 times by providing protection against water, freezing/thawing and salt.

“We’re always looking for new, innovative ways to improve roadways in our community, especially when we can use bio-based products,” said Nick Rezac, Engineer for the City of Sioux Falls. “The application was fairly simple and will bring great value for years to come.”

According to the SDSRPC each 60-pound bushel of soybeans contains approximately 12.4 pounds of soybean oil. There are 7.7 pounds of soybean oil per gallon of PoreShield, in the form of Soy Methyl Ester. On average, PoreShield utilizes 200 bushels of soybeans per mile of highway joint.

PoreShield has already been used to seal roadways and a variety of other concrete surfaces in other soybean producing states.

“We value partnerships with the communities we all work and live in.” said SDSRPC Chairman Tim Ostrem, “Opportunities where we can bring quality products to our communities and drive demand of soybeans for our farmers are a win-win for everyone.”