ISA receives Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in Pollution Prevention

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Soybean Alliance received a 2021 Indiana Department of Environmental Management Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in the Pollution Prevention category at the 24th Annual Indiana Pollution Prevention Conference.

The award recognizes ISA for its work in developing PoreShield SME-PS, a soy-based concrete durability enhancer that benefits the environment and Indiana economy.

“This recognition represents more than 10 years of hard work, innovation and partnership to advance a sustainable solution for costly concrete joint deterioration in Indiana,” said Julie Ohmen, new uses consultant for the Indiana Soybean Alliance. “We are thrilled to see PoreShield recognized as an environmentally friendly solution that also provides public health and economic benefits to our communities.”

The Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence are Indiana’s most prestigious environmental recognition awards. Only the most innovative, sustainable and exemplary programs or projects that impact Indiana’s environment and demonstrate measurable environmental, economic and social benefits are recognized.

ISA developed PoreShield in partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation and Purdue University. Several years of research and field trials demonstrate that a single application of PoreShield lasts 10 or more years and extends the service life of concrete five to nine times longer compared to untreated.

In addition to offering long-lasting concrete protection, PoreShield prevents pollution through its non-toxic and hazard-free product profile. The concrete durability enhancer replaces traditional, toxic concrete protectors and sealants, reducing volatile organic compounds by 90% and eliminating the need for harmful solvents. As a non-toxic product, PoreShield is safe for workers and requires no personal protective equipment while applying.

“The main benefit (of PoreShield) is that it is environmentally friendly. We can spray this over creeks, waterways, dry beds or over active water,” said Carl Anderson, Orange County Highway Department superintendent. “Considering the price and minimal labor involved, I believe in the end we’re going to gain on our bridge decks — a minimal cost and high reward.”

As a soy-based concrete durability enhancer, PoreShield supports Indiana soybean farmers and provides a boost to the local economy. On average, 400 bushels of soybeans are used for every mile of two-lane bridge receiving a full surface PoreShield treatment.

PoreShield also saves INDOT money, reducing labor compared to the products and practices it replaces. Since its inception, years of progress through INDOT have led to large-scale changes in the way pavement joints are treated, using an innovative approach to protect the locations most susceptible to failure.

The United Soybean Board, which is the national soybean checkoff, supports the expanded use of this product, and PoreShield has experienced similar success in states across the nation.

It is a true testament to the impact that collaboration between the national soy checkoff and Indiana soy checkoff has to promote new uses for soybeans, said USB Director Mark Seib, a farmer from Poseyville.

With ISA and USB’s support through the years of development, PoreShield is now commercially available for use as INDOT and other states move toward greater implementation.

“USB is always looking to invest in new products that will use more soybeans and improve the value of our crop,” Seib said. “PoreShield has tremendous potential, and as the state of Indiana has recognized, it is also an environmentally safe product that will enhance the durability of our roads and bridges for many years to come. USB’s investment in PoreShield will pay dividends for soybean farmers in the very near future.”