A new “industrial revolution”

FOR DECADES, CORN, WHEAT, AND SOYBEAN PRODUCTION WAS SIMPLE; corn was used for feed or processed into starch, oil, syrup, or ethanol, wheat was ground into flour, and soybeans were processed into oil and meal. Those were the primary concerns fueling the five to six million acres of combined production for the three crops.

In the past 25 years, however, science and industry have expanded the use of corn, wheat, and soybeans beyond conventional applications. Corn stover and wheat straw, it was discovered, could be distilled into cellulosic sugars, while wheat straw components could be used to make interior panelling in automotive vehicles.

Soybean’s ideal qualities for lubricants and other applications make them ideal for value- added applications. Prisum Coatings Canada Inc., based in Holland Landing, Ontario, is a paint manufacturing enterprise that oversees three brands: SoyaOil, EcoColours, and Artisan Enhancements. Each reflects the company’s commitment to sustainable and innovative technologies. SoyaOil specializes  in  plant-based  biochemical coatings technology, EcoColours focuses on biodegradable and environmentally- friendly wood fibre mulch colourants, and Artisan Enhancements offers a range of decorative paint and specialized decorative effect products.

Prisum Coatings Canada was first incorporated in 2004, ahead of the establishment of EcoColours – also in 2004 – SoyaOil in 2008 and Artisan Enhancements in 2010. The development of the company and its brands came in the wake of a change in Canadian regulations governing the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the coatings industry.

“The changes in regulations highlighted the environmental and health risks associated with traditional petrochemical, oil-based paints and liquid synthetic coatings technology,” says Bjorn McSorley, head of business development for Prisum Coatings Canada. “It became clear that relying on the high carbon output oil and gas supply chain wasn’t a future-proof strategy. Recognizing this, we sought alternative solutions, leading to the concept of using bio-based oils, particularly soybean oil, which provides the best properties as a sustainable and eco- friendly biotechnology option.”

SEVERAL ADVANTAGES

The shift was driven by several influences, the first of which was the need to comply with the new regulations. Then came the decision to align globally with efforts to reduce carbon footprints and promote sustainable practices in manufacturing. Next was the opportunity to leverage Canadian soybean production and processing, which allowed the company to create high-performance coatings that are environmentally responsible and commercially viable.

“Soybean oil is a renewable, stable, and sustainable resource, making it ideal for manufacturing,” adds McSorley. “Canadian soybeans are grown using environmentally- friendly practices like crop rotation and reduced tillage, lessening the environmental impact and improving soil health. Soybean oil also has a 17 per cent lower greenhouse gas footprint compared to petrochemical oils, making it a strong choice for reducing immediate carbon emissions.”

The coatings technology and paint and decorative products utilize food- grade, filtered commodity soybeans. The University of Guelph is working to develop a new variety that produces oil with a higher linolenic acid profile – although it’s not yet commercially available. The oil profile is well suited for the company’s product formulae, even though available varieties satisfy the processing of their coating products. The type of oil they require also falls in line with the commercial lubricant industry, which helps both parts of the soybean oil market move in the right direction.

The other factors that favour soybean oil are its lubricity and durability, which make it perfect for high-performance coatings. It also supports Canadian agriculture by driving demand for locally grown soybeans, ensuring a reliable and high-quality supply. Compared to other plant oils like linseed or sunflower, soybean stands apart based on its cost- effectiveness, availability, and properties for use as coatings. It’s a “medium oil” versus short or long, which McSorley says provides balanced drying times, better flexibility and hardness, versatility in application, improved gloss retention, better flow, levelling, and compatibility with additives.

“The biggest benefit we see for using soy as a raw material is the fact it contains zero microplastics,” he says. “The paint and coating industry is currently being looked at for contributing more than 50 per cent of the microplastics found in our rivers, the Great Lakes, and the oceans. It’s a global issue that needs to be resolved, and the paint and coating industry has to change and move away from liquid plastic coating formulated from the oil and gas supply chain.”

GREAT NEWS

According to statistics from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA), from 2021 to 2023, the province averaged just under three million acres of soybeans annually and nearly 150 million bushels each of those three years. That’s an abundant supply of soybeans for the raw materials needed by Prisum Coatings Canada. The company sources their soybeans from local farmers, ensuring a steady and sustainable supply and support, fostering relationships with those growers, promoting sustainable practices, and ensuring long-term stability.

Their manufacturing facility in Holland Landing is equipped with high- volume ball mills, dispersers, and advanced liquid packaging machinery, enabling Prisum Coatings Canada to produce roughly 500,000 litres per year. The facility is also where the company’s research and development centre is housed, which enables ongoing innovation and product development.

The company’s sales have shown steady growth, and two of its innovative products – BioMarker road-marking paint and SoyaOil resin – have gained traction in domestic and international markets.

“BioMarker is the world’s first plant-based road-marking paint to be tested and approved by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation,” says McSorley. “The City of Toronto is the first municipality in the world to use EcoMarker and our sports field line-marking SoyOil resin coating, releasing zero microplastics into Lake Ontario.”

Prisum Coatings received funding from Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Grains Innovation Fund in 2023.

“The Grains Innovation Fund support has been instrumental in propelling Prisum Coatings’ vision,” says McSorley. “As Prisum grows, so does the demand for high-quality raw materials, ensuring Canadian farmers have a consistent and expanding market.” •