Chicago Museum Transformed into “Green Building” Through Use of Soy-Based Products

Soy-based products continue to gain significant momentum in the building and construction market. Along with checkoff-funded support, Green Products, LLC. has been hard at work enhancing buildings across the country with soy-based products. These building improvements have not gone unnoticed, as they have been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation was so impressed with Green Products, LLC’s soy-based improvements that the organization recently awarded a 1.3 million dollar grant to enhance the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago with soy-based insulation and roof coating products. It is important to note that $100,000 will go toward educating the public about the “green” products used in the renovation of the museum. The grant was reported to be the third largest ever awarded by the foundation.

“This victory is not only for Green Products, LLC, but for everyone connected to the soy-based products industry. That goes for researchers, manufacturers and most importantly soybean farmers, who give tremendous support to the green products movement,” said Grant Grable.

The Museum of Broadcast Communications will employ soy-based roof coating, which will help reflect sunlight, thus reducing energy needed to cool the Museum and lower the urban island effect. Soy-based insulation will also reduced energy costs and provide superior acoustical performance. It is important to note that the energy saved from the upgrade will reduce pollution as well as operating costs each year. The combination of soy-based insulation and roof coating will give the Museum a gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system.

The employment of soy-based products will not only positively impact the Museum’s environmental and economic status, it will also help increase the importance of soy-based products. Such awareness will increase the demand for U.S. soybeans, providing a win-win situation for all involved with the project.

USB is made up of 62 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

For more information on Green Products’ soy-based solutions, contact Green Products, LLC, toll free at (877) 474-7481 or visit their Web site at www.greenproducts.net. For more information on Illinois Clean Energy visit www.illinoiscleanenergy.org