Soy Replaces Oil in New Ag Belting, Article in Dakota Farmer
WCCO Belting introduces a new swather, combine and conveyor belting made with soybean oil
Want to use more products made from soybeans on the farm? The new TerraTech belting from WCCO Belting is made from soybeans. The Wahpeton, N.D., company developed and patented a technology which allows it to replace petroleum with soybean oil in a rubber compound. The first product the company is launching is a belting that can be used on swathing equipment, combine headers and conveyors. The belting also has light industrial, construction and material handling applications.
“We believe products made from sustainable materials are the future for rubber belting and all industrial products, and we are thrilled to introduce our new belting technology to the market,” says Tom Shorma, WCCO Belting’s president and CEO. “Our new line of TerraTech products helps us stay at the forefront of innovation while helping our customers stay ahead of the game on sustainability.”
The new soy-belt had 20% more abrasion resistance in company tests than a petroleum-based belt.
The United Soybean Board, which funds research and promotion impacting soybean farmers, provided money to help develop the product.
The soybean oil rubber technology is the first of many discoveries utilizing sustainable materials WCCO Belting will introduce in the future.
Shorma says it is fitting that the first soy-based belting product WCCO Belting introduced is for farmers.
To view the full article online visit: http://www.dakotafarmer.com/technology/soy-replaces-oil-new-ag-belting