From Soybean Fields to Airport Seating
Posted by Jessica, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on March 24, 2010
Did you know that you might be sitting on soy while waiting for your next flight? Arconas became the first airport-seating manufacturer to incorporate soy-based BiOH® polyols from Cargill in late 2009. Arconas is a global leader in airport seating, servicing some of the world’s largest airports such as Boston Logan, Dallas/Fort Worth, JFK, Hong Kong, La Guardia, Lisbon, and Orlando, among others.
So where will you be able to sit on soy? Arconas seating with BiOH polyols is coming soon to these airports:
- Los Angeles International Airport, CA
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport, NC
- Winnipeg International Airport, MB
- Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Newport News International Airport, VA
- Calgary Executive Flight Center, AB
- San Antonio International Airport, TX
Flyaway Seating from Arconas
This week the Arconas team is highlighting their innovative products – including those containing soy foam with BiOH Polyols - at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Brussels, Belgium. Among other things, visitors to their booth may receive a reusable shopping bag crafted by Arconas from 100% recycled textiles as shown in the picture below!
These reusable shopping bags from Arconas made from 100% recycled textiles will be handed out during the Passenger Terminal Expo.
You can keep up with Arconas and their innovative products on Facebook, Twitter: @Arconas, or their You Tube channel. And next time you’re at the airport… consider if you might be sitting on a soy innovation while waiting for your flight!
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Patricia said on April 14, 2010:
I have a question. I read this from your BiOH polyols web page:
“BiOH polyols are a soy-based ingredient for flexible foam used in upholstered furniture and bedding, carpet backing, and automotive seats. Traditional foam and carpet backing ingredients are derived from petroleum-based products. BiOH products are made from a renewable resource – soybean oil. Today BiOH polyols replace a portion of the petroleum-based ingredients for flexible foams.”
My question concerns the last sentence. Just how much of “a” portion of petroleum-based ingredients are you replacing with soy? – 100%, 50%, 2%???? I am looking into buying a new sofa which advertises soy-based foam cushions.
Thank you for what I am hoping you will give me…an honest, straight forward, no crap answer.
Por
Jessica, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager said on April 14, 2010:
Hi Patricia –
Thanks for your question! We did a blog post on the misconception that “soy foam” is made completely with soy over a year ago… See link here: http://www.experiencebioh.com/soy-based-foam-misconceptions-%e2%80%93-round-1/. Typical levels of soy content in finished foam products are 5-20%. It varies depending on the type of foam and the manufacturer. Renewable BiOH® polyols were introduced in 2005 –just a few years ago. Since this is a first generation technology, flexible foam manufacturers want to ensure that the foam they are selling meets certain performance requirements. Right now, 5- 20% is the typical range that can be used across foam grades and still meet the performance needs for manufacturers. We are working with flexible foam manufacturers to increase the amount of renewable, soy-based content in foams.
Foam is made by combining two main ingredients and our BiOH polyols replace a portion of one of those ingredients. To learn a bit more about how foam is made, check out one of our fact sheets here: http://www.bioh.com/_documents/Facts%20and%20Definitions%203.10.pdf.
You may want to contact the manufacturer of the sofa that you are considering purchasing directly to inquire about the level of soy content specifically in their cushions. I hope that helps!
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