Soy Polyester at John Deere: Lessons Learned

April 20, 2007

Considering a move to bioplastics? Consider the experience of John Deere, which is now in the eighth year of a program to use soybean and corn feedstocks that was not originally driven for green reasons. The biomaterials are used in combine panels, backhoe loader hoods, and tractor hoods. Greg McCunnn, who runs the project, says the materials must be cost competitive and must be a performance drop-in for petroleum-based plastics. Needless to say, significant supply chain work was involved, and included funding from the United Soybean Board. Ashland Specialty Chemicals developed polyester resins that include soy and corn feedstocks, while processors Ashley Industrial Molding and Budd (currently Continental Structural Plastics) worked on the molding side. There were also issues related to painting and mold release.

And it amounts to more than a hill of beans: each combine made with the compound uses 1.1 bushels of soybeans and 0.5 bushels of corn.

Posted by Doug Smock on April 20, 2007 | Comments (1)

November 8, 2009

In response to: Soy Polyester at John Deere: Lessons Learned
jim norris commented:

i have two neibors that have newer john deere lawntrators x300, they both have hood cracks after pulling the hood open where the hand hold is. the cracks run down the middle of the hood and are getting longer each time they open the hood. whats UP with that? they also have rips and tears all over their lawnmower x300 seats what up with that? both mowers wear less than 6 mo old but the dealer said they never heard or seen anybody elses tractors doing that and will not replace their hoods or seats. whats up with that? can you explain as to what is happening the panhandle of florida. the kaws a great engine but the mower bodies falling apart. maybe the heat of the engine and sun to much for the bioplatics. ? please help, iwanted to buy one myself,i like the john deere product the x300 is a great machine.

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