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Soy-Based Concrete Pigment Receives INVEST Funding
"Indiana soybean farmers are putting their checkoff dollars to work by helping to bring soy-based products into marketplace prominence," said Jim Cherry, Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) director and farmer from Greenfield, Ind. "We want to help commercially viable products, like this soy-based concrete pigment, overcome some of the hurdles standing between the testing and development phase and the marketplace. We're proud to give a helping hand to products that can help increase the demand for soybeans and soy products." Jelly Bean, which was selected as the recipient of INVEST's initial round of funding, is a soy-based pigment pack that can stain and safely seal pervious concrete in one process. When added to a soy-based concrete and wood water repellant called "The Bean," this pigment pack turns a sealer into a stain and seal. The combination of these two products safely stains and seals concrete with no negative environmental impact. "There are several ways to color concrete," said Jim Miller, president of C2 Products, which produces both Jelly Bean and The Bean. "The big difference here is that the pigment is carried with the sealer, and once the sealer is firmly in place in the concrete face, the color is locked in. It requires fewer steps than traditional methods, it's not hurting anything environmentally, and the colors are brighter." While pervious concrete is the only concrete application Jelly Bean is recommended for at the current time, field tests show promising results at lower dosage rates for regular concrete. Supporting new soy products Launched earlier this year by ISA - the state's soybean checkoff organization, the INVEST program is designed to seek individuals and small businesses with innovative new soy products or technologies who need help bringing their products to the marketplace. The program targets entrepreneurs, inventors and small businesses that are developing or updating soy products or technologies. "Perhaps the most challenging component of developing new lines of business is securing funds for start-up costs, marketing and production," said Joe Caffee, vice president of commercial lending with the First Bank of Berne, who was on the INVEST selection committee. "Programs like Indiana Soybean Alliance's INVEST help entrepreneurs realize their goals while creating synergy between their business and Indiana soybean producers. The INVEST program is a critical link between the ideas of Indiana entrepreneurs and the marketplace." Miller understands those demands as well as anyone. And he's glad to have some help in realizing his goals through the INVEST funding. "We were at a point where we were going to increase sales regularly, and it was just a matter of how long we were going to have to wait on having the funding to advertise more extensively. This funding from ISA will help us get out nationally," said Miller. He added that the INVEST funding will be used for advertising and marketing; green product verification; and stamp and stain field trials. The funds will also be used to finance a number of tests for the product, including deicing, penetration, abrasion resistance and ASTM specification testing, specifically ASTM C-309. Future applications for the product currently being tested include repairing color discrepancies for integrally colored concrete, stenciling, dressing up older driveways and sidewalks and other decorative concrete applications. Initial round deemed a success Jelly Bean had to beat out a number of other applications to win the INVEST funding. Applicants had to supply a wide array of materials, including a business plan, product summary, results of a patent search and a projected budget. "Considering this was the first year of a brand-new program, we were very excited about both the quality and the quantity of INVEST applications," said Ryan West, ISA director for new uses and technology commercialization. "I think it's safe to say that INVEST will be a long-running and highly competitive program that will make a big difference in bringing new soy products into the marketplace." A panel comprised of industry partners reviewed the applications and made their decision based equally upon relevance to soy, marketing potential, production functionality/performance/value and production/commercialization. "Most impressive was the diversity of ideas to utilize Indiana soybeans in a variety of applications," said Caffee. "Each application outlined a very unique marketing segment for Indiana soybeans." For more information about the INVEST program, visit http://www.soy-invest.com/ or contact Ryan West at 317-347-3620. -30- The Indiana Soybean Alliance works to enhance the viability of Indiana soybean farmers through the effective and efficient investment of soybean checkoff funds and the development of sound policies that protect and promote the interest of Indiana soybean farmers. The ISA is working to build new markets for soybeans through the promotion of biodiesel, livestock, international marketing, new soybean uses, aquaculture, and research. ISA is led by an elected farmer board that directs investments of the soybean checkoff funds on behalf of more than 28,000 Indiana soybean farmers and promotes policies on behalf of the ISA's 950 dues-paying members. For more information, contact Megan Kuhn at 317-347-3620, ext. 306 or mkuhn@indianasoybean.com Indiana Soybean Alliance 5757 W. 74th St. Indianapolis, IN 46278 1- 800-735-0195 www.indianasoybean.com This communication was funded with Soybean Checkoff Dollars. 
INVEST is a program of the Indiana Soybean Alliance. |
C2 Product's Jelly Bean concrete pigment may not satisfy your sweet tooth, but it is one sweet product. And thanks to funding by the Indiana New Ventures and Enterprises in Soy Technology (INVEST) program, it may be a product you are hearing about even more.