The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) has funded a pilot project involving the application of a soya-based dust suppressant at local grain elevators, the organisation announced on 30 September.
ISA said it partnered with BioBlend and the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI) to conduct the pilot project.
A soya-based natural ester dust control product, BioBlend’s EPIC EL (EsterLink) dust suppressant was designed to reduce dust created by vehicle traffic, industrial and agricultural equipment and material handling equipment, ISA said.
Primary applications included unpaved gravel roads, farm roads and fields, orchards, vineyards, mining haul and access roads and material handling equipment, according to the statement.
Participating elevators included Prairie Central Cooperative in Chenoa and Meadows, Grainland Cooperative in Eureka, Tettens Grain in Milledgeville, and Stanford Grain Company in Stanford.
ISA represents more than 43,000 soyabean farmers in Illinois.
According to its website, GFAI represents more than 90% of the commercial grain storage space in Illinois where members include grain elevators and grain handling facilities, processors, feed mills and companies who provide goods and services to the industry.
BioBlend offers bio-based, food grade and synthetic lubricants for sectors including drilling, mining, oil fields, construction, agriculture, marine, food processing and government, according to its website.
