SoyFoam has been in development for many years, but didn’t start being tested and used until recently. It’s biodegradable, puts out Class A and Class B fires, and most importantly, is PFAS-free. PFAS are known as forever chemicals. “We’re trying to drive domestic usage as opposed to some of the difficulties we’ve had with tariffs and working with international customers,” said Jerry Schmitz, Executive Director of South Dakota Soybean. “This is one of those opportunities. The second thing is that firefighters have a high incidence of dying from cancer. And a lot of that has to do with PFAS chemicals.”
The development began about 7 years ago, but the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and South Dakota Soybean Checkoff just announced the start of a statewide PFAS foam collection and SoyFoam exchange initiative. “Most of the fire departments around this area are volunteer firefighters. They’re not being paid,“ said Joel Schreuers, the Council Director of the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. ”I mean, they risk their lives every time they go into a building or a fire. If we can utilize a product that’s from the ag background and safer for them, everybody wins.”
Fire departments across the state are already trading in their PFAS foam for a 5-gallon container of SoyFoam.
According to Charlie Kludt, the president of the SD Firefighters Association, Watertown already swapped out its old foam, and his department in Viborg is planning to install the new SoyFoam once they finish their current one. “It’s just exciting for us, particularly in South Dakota, that we’re growing a product that can be used locally,” said Schmitz. “Both farmers and the communities can see that it’s a product homegrown.”
The goal now is to make Soyfoam the standard for safe, sustainable firefighting. The South Dakota Soybean Checkoff said they’re continuing to find ways to use soybeans for good.